Last gasp equaliser saves Cardiff.
Manager Darren Ferguson labelled his side's draw to Cardiff a "bitter pill to swallow", but the hard fought encounter against a side fighting for the Championship lead is certainly something to build on for the Lilywhites.
Cardiff were dealt an early blow when England international striker Jay Bothroyd limped off with an injury after just 8 minutes, seemingly pulling his hamstring as he chased a ball over the top of the Preston defence.
Preston then went ahead after twenty five minutes as a Michael Tonge free kick bundled underneath the Cardiff wall and deflected into the net, putting to rest Preston's streak of 340 minutes without a lead in a game. However, it was to be a lead they would spend the rest of the game trying to protect, as Cardiff, with a plethora of talent up front, seized control and began to push forward at every opportunity.
Premiership star Craig Bellamy struck the target shortly after for the home side, playing a neat one-two between himself and Keogh before shooting from the edge of the box, but his shot wasn't strong enough to find the Preston net.
Cardiff came out fighting in the second half, with early attempts by Whittingham and Bellamy both narrowly missing the target. Andy Lonergan was at hand on the 55th minute to parry wide a powerful Bellamy volley after Keogh lead him clean through on goal.
However, as the clock wound down, Cardiff's attack gained momentum. Craig Bellamy was allowed another volley from six yards out, which Preston only escaped by the outstreched leg of Wayne Brown on the goal line; the follow-up was powered wide by Whittingham.
As injury time struck, Gabor Gyepes seemed certain to have levelled the scoring as he powered in a header from the six yard box which seemed destined for the top corner, only to see a remarkable jumping clearance by Danny Pugh on the Preston goal line.
In total, Cardiff fired twenty five shots at the North End goal, but it would take until the twenty fifth attempt to finally bear fruit. In spite of PNE's valiant attempts to secure only their second win in eleven games, it wasn't to be their day. Andrew Keogh dealt the crushing blow in the fourth minute of stoppage time, as olimenjana nodded the ball across the box, leaving him to power a header home from close range.
After their relentless attacking performance in the second half, Cardiff will feel the draw was the least they deserved. But for North End - who have conceded in all but one of their league games this season - holding off a Cardiff side that lead the league in goals is certainly a big positive.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Monday, 29 November 2010
Preston 0-0 Millwall
Preston's winless slump continues with a disappointing goalless draw at home to a struggling Milwall side on Saturday.
The Lilywhites had boosted their defence in mid-week with the addition of on-loan centre-back Leon Cort from Burnley, but it was going forward in attack that they struggled to make any real impact.
North End started well with early attempts from Parkin and Jones, both narrowly missing the target.
The Lilywhites did find the back of the net in the 18th minute when Hume, put through on goal by Jon Parkin, slid his shot past goalkeeper Forde, but his celebrations were short-lived as it was ruled out for offside.
As the game progressed, Millwall began to push forward and threatened twice before the half the was over. The first attempt, an excellent close-range header from Puncheon, was only kept out by a heroic diving save from Andy Lonergan. Ten minutes later, their second attempt was deflected wide by Cort after Puncheon had dispossessed Barton in midfield.
Both sides could have won the game in the second half. Millwall came agonisingly close in the 72nd minute when Morrison broke a darting run into the penalty area, graciously side-stepping Cort, only to see his shot deflected five yards wide of the far post.
As the clock wound down, Preston wasted two golden opportunities to snatch all three points. Ten minutes from time, a feeble shot from Parkin swung across the face of the goal and inches away from Hume who was lurking at the edge of the six yard box, unable to get the slightest of touches to turn it into the net.
The last chance of the match would be the closest Preston would come to stealing only their second win in ten matches, and once again, Hume was the protagonist. With continued pressure, the Lilywhites marched forward in attack. Barton shot twice from the edge of the area, only for his second attempt to be deflected across to Hume in front of the Millwall goal. Turning inwards, Hume shot a curling effort around defender Alan Dunne and narrowly brushed the outside of the far post.
Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was awarded man of the match for his game-saving stops in the Preston goal. Afterwards he admitted it was a "tough game against a very good side".
The Lilywhites had boosted their defence in mid-week with the addition of on-loan centre-back Leon Cort from Burnley, but it was going forward in attack that they struggled to make any real impact.
North End started well with early attempts from Parkin and Jones, both narrowly missing the target.
The Lilywhites did find the back of the net in the 18th minute when Hume, put through on goal by Jon Parkin, slid his shot past goalkeeper Forde, but his celebrations were short-lived as it was ruled out for offside.
As the game progressed, Millwall began to push forward and threatened twice before the half the was over. The first attempt, an excellent close-range header from Puncheon, was only kept out by a heroic diving save from Andy Lonergan. Ten minutes later, their second attempt was deflected wide by Cort after Puncheon had dispossessed Barton in midfield.
Both sides could have won the game in the second half. Millwall came agonisingly close in the 72nd minute when Morrison broke a darting run into the penalty area, graciously side-stepping Cort, only to see his shot deflected five yards wide of the far post.
As the clock wound down, Preston wasted two golden opportunities to snatch all three points. Ten minutes from time, a feeble shot from Parkin swung across the face of the goal and inches away from Hume who was lurking at the edge of the six yard box, unable to get the slightest of touches to turn it into the net.
The last chance of the match would be the closest Preston would come to stealing only their second win in ten matches, and once again, Hume was the protagonist. With continued pressure, the Lilywhites marched forward in attack. Barton shot twice from the edge of the area, only for his second attempt to be deflected across to Hume in front of the Millwall goal. Turning inwards, Hume shot a curling effort around defender Alan Dunne and narrowly brushed the outside of the far post.
Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was awarded man of the match for his game-saving stops in the Preston goal. Afterwards he admitted it was a "tough game against a very good side".
Monday, 22 November 2010
QPR 3-1 Preston
Preston fall deeper into relegation trouble with defeat to superior QPR.
"Come in, be positive" was the advice manager Darren Ferguson gave new on-loan signing Michael Tonge in mid-week, but it will be hard to remain positive if defeats like this continue. Three new loan signings had raised expectations, but Preston posed little threat as they fell to their fourth defeat in five games to a much superior QPR.
With much talk before the game about a forceful QPR side that boasted the only unbeaten record in the football league, PNE knew they faced a tough task ahead of them. However, it took the home side only four minutes to break through the North End defence. Midfielder Karl Walker was allowed a darting run down the touchline, and struck a menacing cross into the box. Lonergan came out to make the save, but the ball fell through his hands and right at the feet of striker Ian Hulse who claimed his first goal of the season from two yards out.
Rangers almost took a two goal lead on the 25th minute when a slip-up from Brown at the back let in Jamie Mackie for a free shot a goal which was parried away by Lonergan. Leon Clarke – making his first start for the club – skied the follow up, striking it high over the bar.
Clarke did find the net ten minutes later, volleying a rocket shot from close range, but it was ruled out as he was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Preston came close with a couple of chances either side of half-time. The first, three minutes from the end of the half, was a long range shot from on-loan Tonge which failed to trouble Kenny in the QPR goal.
The second, on 53 minutes, a well worked counter-attack brought forward by Tonge, culminated in a dangerous through ball into the box from Jon Parkin to Adam Barton. But Barton, with ample time and space could only plough the ball into the legs of Paddy Kenny.
Preston would live to rue their missed opportunity as two minutes later QPR doubled their lead. Twenty one year old captain Adel Taarabt picked up the ball inside Preston territory, dribbled towards the area and shot a stunning strike into the roof of the net, leaving Lonergan helpless.
The Lilywhites looked more vulnerable as the game progressed. On the 64th minute Rob Hulse connected well with an in-swinging corner, and was only denied a goal by a clearance off the line from Jon Parkin.
Five minutes from time, QPR sealed their victory. Taarabt finished another astounding effort in almost identical fashion to his first. Picking up on a loose ball after Preston were dispossessed in midfield, he found himself with plenty of space, and a couple of touches was all it took before he powered a shot into the top left corner from thirty yards out.
A mix-up between Matt Connolly and his goalkeeper gifted Preston with a consolation goal two minutes from time to make it 3-1. But it was too little, too late; and with one win in their last nine, the Lilywhites slip further behind in the struggle for survival.
After the game Darren Ferguson praised his team for the way they reacted after conceding an early goal, but admitted QPR deserved all three points. When asked about next week, he said his side needed “a win, a bit of luck, and keep believing”.
"Come in, be positive" was the advice manager Darren Ferguson gave new on-loan signing Michael Tonge in mid-week, but it will be hard to remain positive if defeats like this continue. Three new loan signings had raised expectations, but Preston posed little threat as they fell to their fourth defeat in five games to a much superior QPR.
With much talk before the game about a forceful QPR side that boasted the only unbeaten record in the football league, PNE knew they faced a tough task ahead of them. However, it took the home side only four minutes to break through the North End defence. Midfielder Karl Walker was allowed a darting run down the touchline, and struck a menacing cross into the box. Lonergan came out to make the save, but the ball fell through his hands and right at the feet of striker Ian Hulse who claimed his first goal of the season from two yards out.
Rangers almost took a two goal lead on the 25th minute when a slip-up from Brown at the back let in Jamie Mackie for a free shot a goal which was parried away by Lonergan. Leon Clarke – making his first start for the club – skied the follow up, striking it high over the bar.
Clarke did find the net ten minutes later, volleying a rocket shot from close range, but it was ruled out as he was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Preston came close with a couple of chances either side of half-time. The first, three minutes from the end of the half, was a long range shot from on-loan Tonge which failed to trouble Kenny in the QPR goal.
The second, on 53 minutes, a well worked counter-attack brought forward by Tonge, culminated in a dangerous through ball into the box from Jon Parkin to Adam Barton. But Barton, with ample time and space could only plough the ball into the legs of Paddy Kenny.
Preston would live to rue their missed opportunity as two minutes later QPR doubled their lead. Twenty one year old captain Adel Taarabt picked up the ball inside Preston territory, dribbled towards the area and shot a stunning strike into the roof of the net, leaving Lonergan helpless.
The Lilywhites looked more vulnerable as the game progressed. On the 64th minute Rob Hulse connected well with an in-swinging corner, and was only denied a goal by a clearance off the line from Jon Parkin.
Five minutes from time, QPR sealed their victory. Taarabt finished another astounding effort in almost identical fashion to his first. Picking up on a loose ball after Preston were dispossessed in midfield, he found himself with plenty of space, and a couple of touches was all it took before he powered a shot into the top left corner from thirty yards out.
A mix-up between Matt Connolly and his goalkeeper gifted Preston with a consolation goal two minutes from time to make it 3-1. But it was too little, too late; and with one win in their last nine, the Lilywhites slip further behind in the struggle for survival.
After the game Darren Ferguson praised his team for the way they reacted after conceding an early goal, but admitted QPR deserved all three points. When asked about next week, he said his side needed “a win, a bit of luck, and keep believing”.
Friday, 19 November 2010
Triple Signing Gives Hope Ahead of Trip to QPR
Preston travel to Loftus Road this weekend boosted by a string of mid-week signings.
Stoke midfielders Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge (both former Lilywhites) join the side on a months loan, along with the much talked about Richard De Laet who has signed from Manchester United, also on a 28-day emergency loan deal.
It would otherwise be a rather depleated side, with several key players will be missing the trip: both Callum Davidson and Paul Coutts are out with groin injuries, and Keith Treacy is suspended having picked up five yellow cards.
QPR currently lie a point off first place and are unbeaten in the league all season. However Preston have performed marginally better away from home this season and will look to turn a corner with new signings on board.
Stoke midfielders Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge (both former Lilywhites) join the side on a months loan, along with the much talked about Richard De Laet who has signed from Manchester United, also on a 28-day emergency loan deal.
It would otherwise be a rather depleated side, with several key players will be missing the trip: both Callum Davidson and Paul Coutts are out with groin injuries, and Keith Treacy is suspended having picked up five yellow cards.
QPR currently lie a point off first place and are unbeaten in the league all season. However Preston have performed marginally better away from home this season and will look to turn a corner with new signings on board.
Chelsea 0-3 Sunderland (14/11/10)
Chelsea fall to their first home defeat of the season against unlikely Sunderland.
Chelsea have missed the opportunity to enhance their lead at the top of the table. With draws from both Manchesters United and City, the door was open for the Blues to take further distance themselves from their northern rivals, and stake a five point lead in the Premiership race.
However goals Onuoha, Gyan and Welbeck saw Sunderland seal an unlikely victory against the reigning champions.
Chelsea almost took an early lead as Anelka was put through on goal, but goalkeeper Craig Gordon, quick out of his box, and able to clear the opportunity. The Blues came close again with shots from Zhirkov and Malouda, and a long range free kick from Didier Drogba, but all failed to beat Godon in the Sunderland goal.
With Chelsea failing to capitalise on their chances, Sunderland took control towards the end of the half, and were only denied of an opener by terrific stops from Petr Cech.
Although constant pressure from Sunderland proved too much for Chelsea on the 45 minute mark as on-loan Onuoha skillfully took the ball past several hapless defenders to slot home a slick finish from ten yards.
Chelsea responded with strikes from Drogba and Anelka, but both flew high over the bar.
A Sunderland victory was guaranteed four minutes from time, when Ashley Cole's feeble back pass into the Chelsea penalty area was picked up by Danny Welbeck who tapped his shot past hapless Cech.
Chelsea now sit only two points clear of Arsenal, who beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park.
Aston Villa 2-2 Manchester United (13/11/10)
Manchester United have kept their unbeaten streak alive following a dramatic finish at Villa Park which saw goals from substitute Macheda and Vidic in the dying minutes. As has so often been the mantra with Alex Ferguson's Manchester United sides, it is never quite over until the final whistle blows. A first half which saw very little action aside from a couple of Villa chances was far overshadowed by a second forty five minutes which saw Villa dominate, eventually take the lead, then seemingly secure all three points, only to collapse in the final ten minutes to a Macheda stunner and a Vidic equaliser.
United now gain a point on Champions Chelsea following an unlikely blues home defeat to Sunderland.
Friday, 12 November 2010
Preston 0-2 Hull
Goals from Garcia and Barmby sink Preston deeper into relegation trouble.
Darren Ferguson's sixth home loss in nine keeps his side three points deep in the relegation zone and in danger of slipping into last place if Crystal Palace can manage a draw on Saturday.
Preston were first to strike after five minutes with a long range shot from Paul Parry, which was pushed away by on-loan keeper Mannone. The rebound was followed up and converted by Jon Parkin, but it was from an offside position, and was ruled out.
On the 15 minute mark, Hull forward Richard Garcia shot wide from close range after a slick through ball from Robert Coren had put him through on goal.
Although when another opportunity presented itself five minutes later, Garcia was not going to make the same mistake. Coren swung an exquisitely placed cross past defender Craig Morgan, and gifted Garcia with a chance at the far post, which he converted with a diving header to give Hull an early lead.
North End came close soon after with attempts from Barton and Brown, but both narrowly missed the target, edging high past the near post.
The second half began with a bout of pressure from Preston, starting with a fierce strike from Iain Hume from which rattled the inside of the post and somehow stayed out.
Preston pressure continued, culminating in a pair of long range shots from Jon Parkin, however both attempts proved too timid to trouble Mannone in the Hull City goal.
Preston failed to capitalise on their chances, and with twenty minutes remaining, a second goal from Hull finally put the game to rest. After turning St Ledger with ease, Richard Garcia cut a low ball across the face of the goal, allowing substitute Nick Barmby a 'tap-in' finish from five yards out.
Hull could have made it 3-0 in the final minutes when Jay Simpson took advantage of a slip up from defender Craig Morgan on the edge of the box. However, one on one with keeper Lonergan, his shot hit the post.
After the game, Preston manager Darren Ferguson told Sky Sports news that his didn't pass the ball well enough in the first half, and that he was disappointed with conceding the opener, which he described as a “sloppy goal”.
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