The West Yorkshire side defended in numbers as they looked for what had seemed an unlikely point before the start of the game.
But despite having 79% of possession and 15 shots, only three were on target on a rare off day for a team that has swept all before them this season.
What happened?
City began knowing that there were a trio of new records to be broken ahead of the post-match Premier League trophy lift.
With the flags flying and the sun-drenched crowd in their shirtsleeves, the Etihad looked spectacular ahead of kick-off with the sell out crowd in the mood to party.
But what followed was a disjointed half with numerous misplaced passes and the Blues below their sparkling best.
There were few opportunities for the champions other than a low effort from David Silva and a Kevin De Bruyne shot that whistled the wrong side of the post.
Huddersfield could sense City weren’t quite at the races and came closest to scoring when Alex Pritchard sent a dipping shot that was pushed around the post by Ederson.
The Blues bossed possession, but Huddersfield coped comfortably with everything that came into the box, with crosses rarely find their target.
One Leroy Sane corner caused a mix up in the visitors’ defence but as the ball bobbled goalwards the danger was scrambled away.
As the clock ticked down and the visitors edged nearer a priceless point, sub Bernardo Silva volleyed a low shot inches past Jonas Lossl’s left-hand post with 80 minutes played.
Moments later Benjamin Mendy sent a powerful long-range effort a foot or so over the bar, but it just seemed as though the game was destined to end goalless with Huddersfield packing the box with bodies every time City attacked.
In the dying seconds, the Terriers twice broke forward and but for some desperate defending, could have taken all three points back across the Pennines.
On the final whistle, the 4,000 travelling fans celebrated wildly and who could blame them?
At least there was the Premier League trophy lift to end the afternoon!
City Matchday App star man: David Silva
What it means…
City now move 17 points clear of second-place Manchester United but are still two points and two goals short of setting two new Premier League records.
What’s next?
City host Brighton on Wednesday evening before wrapping up the season away to Southampton next Sunday.
