Match Report: Preston North End 0 Spurs 3 (Wrexham or Sheffield United next)

Match Report: Preston North End 0 Spurs 3 (Wrexham or Sheffield United next)

It was a long trip up to Preston, but an enjoyable ride and conversation with Mel. When we got there, we were lucky to park on a side street not that far from the stadium. Got my crutches out of the car, and on the way to the ground Mel got a crack in his foot (which even I heard snap). I offered my crutches, but he declined; to old cribbled farts wobbling to the ground (if we were horses, they would have shot us by now). Once there, my first visit was to the programme seller and then a walk around the stadium. Chatted with the excellent Spurs Stewards and eventually got in. Being a cribble myself, the Preston Stewards offered me a side entrance to get through.

One of the things that struck me was that there were no signs around the stadium showing Preston North End’s historical achievements, like other clubs do. However, the same applies to Tottenham's stadium… nothing about our double, FA or European achievements, are shown around the ground (in the case of us, understandably so, as Levy probably doesn't want to be reminded of his failures over 22 years and other directors' accomplishments). But we've got a nice shiny money-making stadium… Levy is probably thinking… so, who gives a shit… Head in the sand approach where the team is concerned… money being the focus for some.

To the game:-

The first half was more of a story about Preston's defensive qualities and our same old, same old… But the second half…

…Son had two stunning goals against Preston, which boosted his confidence as he helped us reach the FA Cup fifth round. Yes, his first goal at Deepdale was inspiring, belting in a 30-yard strike to break the deadlock on 50 minutes.

After his opener Son soon doubled the advantage, turning and finishing smartly amid pouring rain. But it didn't end there… Arnaut Danjuma, signed on loan from Villarreal this week, completed the scoring after coming on as a late substitute (hopefully, more purchases are on the cards, but you never know with Levy).

We now face either Wrexham or Sheffield United… I favour Sheffield United.

FA Cup fifth round draw in full

Southampton v Luton Town or Grimsby Town

Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers or Birmingham City

Stoke City v Brighton & Hove Albion

Wrexham or Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspur

Fulham or Sunderland v Leeds United

Bristol City v Manchester City

Manchester United v West Ham United

Ipswich Town or Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday or Fleetwood Town

… and the year ends in "1," well, three ones… making it 2023… but that was last century (the "1" bit), now the new year ending game could be 23… who knows… who cares! So long as we win something this year… I'll be happy… oh, and a top-four spot… maybe a European Champions League final… and… well, why not the Premier League thrown in as well… ok, let us not overdo it… one mouthful at a time… Shoulders back and stand proud as they say in the army… back to reality!!!

Thoughts…

Son was one of four players to keep his starting place from the win at Fulham.

In the first half, we spluttered into life against hard-working Preston.

Conte made seven changes to the starting XI, which beat Fulham 1-0 in the Premier League on Monday, including leaving Harry Kane on the bench.

Kane, as we all know, is aiming to become our all-time leading scorer and is level with Jimmy Greaves on 266 goals but has been struggling with illness this week, missing training on Wednesday and Thursday. Alongside him on the bench was new signing Danjuma, but our side still contained first-teamers such as Son and Dejan Kulusevski, and they started the game well.

Kulusevski had a shot brilliantly blocked by Ryan Ledson, while goalkeeper Freddie Woodman made two fine saves from a long-range Son effort. We had more than three-quarters of the possession in the opening 25 minutes, nevertheless, Preston grew into the game and began to restrict us as time wore on.

A three-man midfield of Ledson, Ben Whiteman and Ali McCann gave Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma little time or space.

It took until the opening of the second half for Preston's resolve to be broken, with Son pulling out a moment of quality to remind fans why he was the Premier League joint Golden Boot winner last season.

His seventh of this campaign was perhaps his best, as he found space 30 yards out before curling an unstoppable strike past Woodman.

Preston then raised their game after falling behind and gave us a much tougher test. Still, Son killed the game after 68 minutes, spinning off Jordan Storey after receiving an Ivan Perisic pass and firing past Woodman.

Conte then made some substitutions,  including giving a debut to Danjuma. He then went on to score after 15 minutes into his first appearance as he turned in a low Kulusevski cross before celebrating in front of us.

We have now reached the last 16 of the FA Cup and remain in a fight to reach our Premier League top four.

After the game, we made our way to our car, a long journey back; I got home at 11 am, Mel half an hour after me.

Our next game will be at home to Manchester City this Sunday.

COYS!

Glenn