Nahki Wells has been praised by David Wagner, the Huddersfield Town head coach, after bouncing back from an early penalty miss to help his side claim a 4-1 derby win away to Leeds United in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Bermuda striker had an eleventh-minute penalty saved by Marco Silvestre, the Leeds goalkeeper, before the home side went ahead through midfielder Stuart Dallas.

Huddersfield equalised when captain Mark Hudson found the net with a header from Jamie Paterson’s corner just before half-time.

Wells was central to much of Huddersfield’s attacking play in the second period, winning the corner from which Harry Bunn volleyed his side in front, creating Karim Matmour’s first goal in English football, then driving in his teams’s fourth goal — his sixteenth of the season.

“One of Nahki’s most important qualities is that he trusts in himself,” Wagner, a former United States striker, said.

“We believe in him as well, and he knows that. Missing chances, and a penalty is a good chance, is part of the game.

“How he stayed focused and contributed the way he did was excellent. The goal he scored was not an easy finish either. I think this was a game he will speak of after his career is over.”

After watching Huddersfield defeat Leeds for the first time in five attempts, Wagner added: “This was a big win for us. We knew we had to be at our maximum and in the most part we were.

“Missing a penalty, then losing a goal — it wasn’t easy to stay focused, but the players managed it. We were clinical in the second half, something we always moan about not being, and we deserved the win.”

Huddersfield, who are sixteenth in the table, return to action after the international break with a home match against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, April 2.