To say that this was a smash & grab performance by Preston would be an insult to North End. They never really looked threatened by Stoke, who blew their early half-chances, & then looked fragile in defence again. Preston love beating the struggling sides: that’s 5 in a row! Here’s how it unfolded in real time:
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Apparently, it’s the same ref that refereed the Preston v Stoke game, a mid-week Wednesday game that City lost 1-3. Also, Stoke play the same 11 (& subs) as their last game. Mind you, ref Brooks also reffed the Boxing Day game, a mid-week Wednesday game (geddit?!) that City won 3-2. Also, half the players that played against North End in August aren’t even in the squad today. Stats prove nothing. But Stoke will need to stop one stat: Preston’s last 4 wins have been against fellow-strugglers (Luton, Charlton, Barnsley & Wigan). Stoke must NOT be the next victim.
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3.15 A very thin crowd at the bet365, particularly in the Boothen. However, it is audibly louder in the OBI (south/away) end where Stoke’s singers seem to have congregated. Preston fans have the nerve to call it a library! Even the Boothen are stirred to make a noise now.
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10.50 Stoke again are outnumbered at the back, but thankfully there’s an offside before any carnage of bodies coming together (Indi and Jack in particular).
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19.15 McClean terrorising Preston down the left, and the crosses are starting to scare. Keeper Declan Rudd already having to paw away one lob from the right for a corner. Now he’s got to put up with a rampant Tyrese tearing at him! Phew!
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23.50 After some great passing, Joe Allen is hacked down in what could easily have been a leg breaker.
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23.33 Clucas’s shot deflected away for a throw after a smashing passing move, even McClean being the gentleman and laying off Sam instead of shooting.
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26.40 Tyrese cuts in and almost curls one round Rudd. Chester expertly started the move, but no one will remember that!
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36.01 Keeper Rudd’s clearances are getting worse and worse. Still saving well, but when his throws find the head of Joe Allen, you know something’s amiss.
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37.40 Allen then goes in high on a tackle, and is lucky to be still on the pitch! Replays confirm this. Yellow card. Phew! Oh, Joe!
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45+2 80%-Stoke 0 20%-Preston 0, but I’d settle for a point at this stage…
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Attendance 20,418, but seems a lot less… Third lowest of the season, but only 202 more than the lowest of the season…
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51.40 Chester & Batth get in each other’s way attacking a corner. Chester looking the most embarrassed. Stoke then caught 3 vs 3 at the back again. Get your priorities right.
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53.40 Capt Browne comes off worse in a clash with McClean. What did he expect? Tyrese shoots just wide from the subsequent free kick.
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56.15 47 year old David Nugent comes on as sub…
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57.22 0-1 !! After Stoke give away an unnecessary corner, Capt Browne stabs the ball home.
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60.44 Scrum time! After Powell is hacked down Preston players play on through him, McClean is yellowed for charging Ben Pearson (who’s also yellowed)… it’s lucky there are no reds!
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65.44 McClean replaced by Vokes, but Tyrese has to coax McClean to leave the pitch quickly!
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67.45 Great cross by Clucas for Vokes header, but straight at keeper. Meanwhile ref seems to have lost control as Tyrese is messed with!
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74.26 0-2 !!! After a corner is not cleared Barkhuizen scores from almost the same place as Browne. Disaster for Stoke.
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79.35 As Indi looks indignant at being penalised for pushing over Fisher, he is immediately replaced by Verlinden, who immediately tears down the whole pitch to win a corner.
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83.45 Verlinden is up-ended, but does something you never see: he walks off the pitch for treatment to allow the game to go on!! He’s clearly hurt though. Gregory prepares to come on, as 10 man Stoke terrorise Preston.
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89.22 Batth decides to try and clear himself & ends up getting a yellow card. A pass to Jack would have been better.
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90+6 Ends Stoke 0 Preston 2 – which is why many would have settled for a point at half time…
