Having picked up just two points from their opening three games in the EFL Championship this season, Swansea City travelled to Deepdale on Saturday. Preston North End’s season has looked a little brighter than their Welsh opponents, recording wins in their last two games to add to their unbeaten start.
PNE: Woodman; Hughes, Lindsay, Storey; Best, Ledson, Browne, Potts; Frökjær-Jensen, Holmes; Keane
SWA: Rushworth; Darling, Cabango, Wood; Key, Patino, Grimes, Fulton, Ashby; Yates, Cullen
A rather quiet start to life at Deepdale lacked clear-cut chances for either side throughout the opening stages, with the hosts benefitting from the first real chance after 25 minutes. Holmes’ cross in from the right flank was blasted over the crossbar by Frøkjær-Jensen.
But it was the visitors that took the lead on 33 minutes, courtesy of Ashby’s far-post finish. Neat buildup play on the left flank saw Patino fire a cross into the area, with the on-loan Newcastle United star waiting to slam home from close range.
The second half saw Frøkjær-Jensen hammer an effort over the crossbar from distance, as the hosts had failed to really test the visiting defence since play resumed for the second period.
Yet when it truly mattered, Browne’s cross into the box was powered home by Hughes, who leapt past Darling to nod home at the far post – levelling the scores at Deepdale with just over twenty minutes still to play.
After looking utterly uninspiring for large spells of the contest, the hosts took a shock lead with eleven minutes remaining of regulation time. Frøkjær-Jensen got the better of Fulton, rolling a low ball through for Holmes who powered an effort into the roof of the net.
With Swansea City unable to provide a response, Preston’s unbeaten start to the league season continues. They were however defeated last time out in the Carabao Cup, so they’ve got no midweek action to prepare for – and attention can turn to their trip to Stoke City on Saturday.
As for Swansea City, they’ll host Bournemouth on Tuesday evening.
