Preston North End secured their first league win for eight games as Coventry City’s horrendous record at Deepdale continued.
After going a goal down, strikes from Duane Holmes and Milutin Osmajic either side of an Alan Browne penalty helped The Lilywhites to a 3-2 win ensuring The Sky Blues have never won a league game at Deepdale, a total of 21 games now.
Undeserved opening goal
Preston had total control in the first half. We had the lions share of possession but couldn’t quite find the key pass in the final third. Coventry didn’t look like threatening at all but they they scored out of nowhere.
Haji Wright was on hand to tap in after Freddie Woodman had saved Matty Godden’s effort. Wright looked offside at the time and still did when watching the replays back. It was harsh on Preston and it felt as if they had missed their opportunity in the first half.
You’d have taken one before the interval but to hit back with two was a brilliant response.
A fine finish and a stroke of luck
Duane Holmes has become a key player in this team since arriving from Huddersfield Town in the summer. He pops up in the right places, is capable of driving runs and gives the attackers great support.
After a Kian Best cross was headed out to him, Holmes didn’t think twice about shooting and he found the bottom corner giving Ben Wilson no chance. His fourth goal at Deepdale this season and already a fan favourite.
Best was to be involved again as North End edged ahead. He played a sumptuous ball through for Osmajic who galloped away from Kyle McFadzean before shooting wide. But Anthony Taylor; who had been demoted from the top flight this week after a mistake in his last match adjudged that McFadzean had tried to bring Osmajic down. However it looked like he just fell over in truth and Osmajic wasn’t really effected.
A lucky decision in my eyes but we were due one to go our way after three stone wall penalties in the last three games not being given.
The captain stepped up and with a Daniel Johnson-esque slow run up, he put the ball into the same corner as Holmes had done just three minutes earlier.
Millar superb all game long
Liam Millar burst onto the scene in a Preston shirt with a brilliant debut at home to Plymouth Argyle. He struggled in the few games after that and even lost his place to Robbie Brady on three occasions.
He’s started the last three though now and the Preston defence automatically look to get the ball to him whenever possible. He loves running at his defender and trying to get the ball in the box.
It might not always pay off but he’s our most direct attacking player. He’s also perfect for when we’re counter attacking and getting the ball upfield out of danger.
His assist today for Osmajic’s goal was inch perfect. A lovely cross just out of reach of the defender and right on the Montenegrin’s head who couldn’t miss.
Osmajic has scored all three of his Preston goals in front of the Town End and all three have earned points for The Lilywhites. A winner against Birmingham City, the winner on Saturday and he would have had another if it wasn’t for a heartbreaking equaliser from Southampton.
The magical Montenegrin is growing with confidence and seems to relish playing at home.
First time we’ve scored three
Every win at Deepdale prior to this has been by a 2-1 scoreline. It’s always made for a nervy finish and last time round against Southampton we couldn’t hold on.
That third goal can kill teams off and we managed to get it on Saturday and it proved to be vital.
The two goal buffer was nice but only lasted 12 minutes. So there was still a nail biting conclusion but we managed to see it out.
We’re yet to keep a clean sheet at Deepdale this season and despite dominating large parts of some games we’re yet to win by more than a one goal margin at home.
The only two goal win has come away to Stoke City. A win is a win at the end of the day but it would be nice to have a convincing win at some point.
Starting with next weeks fixture at Ewood Park would be nice.