Preston beat Southampton in the Championship at Deepdale to gain 4 points against them for this season. The score line was 3-1 with goals from Neil Mellor, David Nugent and an own goal ensuring victory after an early hammering
Preston went into the game on the back of a 4-1 drubbing away at Cardiff whilst Southampton had just beaten Ipswich 1-0 at home.
Preston changed their tactics so that they played in a 4-3-3 formation instead of the usual 4-4-2. Mellor started up front with Ricketts who returned from injury and the in form David Nugent creating a formidable 3 pronged attack. With no McKenna or Whaley, Pergl started in centre mid whilst Pugh and Sedgwick lined up either side of him.
PNE line up: Lonergan, Alexander, Chilvers, St.Ledger, Davidson, Sedgwick, Pergl, Pugh, Mellor, Ricketts, Nugent.
Southampton line up: Davis, Makin, Baird, Lundekvam, Bale, Surman, Viafara, Wright, Belmadi, Rasiak, Jones.
As soon as kick off was over, Preston were on the back foot, with Bale having an early strike and Lonergan being tested more than a couple of times before Preston`s first chance. Mellor had the first North end effort, forcing a corner after getting around the Southampton defence. Preston kept being put under pressure with blocks, saves and clearances being made all the time.
Preston had a chance through Danny Pugh but the midfielder blazed over. However, Southampton were still dominant and created the most opportunities. Lonergan was certainly being tested to the best of his abilities and he was making a fine job of it. Preston continued on the back foot until the end of the first half with Soton having many chances to break the deadlock.
Davidson was the first man in the book, receiving a yellow for a foul on Viafara. Shortly afterwards came the opener. From a Preston free kick which was flicked on by Ricketts at the far post, then Nugent flicked on and the ball fell to Mellor. The ball came back to Nugent who scuffed a shot, which fell to Mellor who was perfectly placed 5 yards out, who hammered the ball home. It was Mellor`s first goal for PNE and it couldn`t have come at a better time and against the run of play.
Preston 1-0 Southampton: Mellor
Half time: Preston 1-0 Southampton
Preston seemed to have the initiative at the start of the second half with Sedgwick going close, early after the restart. Mellor also had 2 good chances after good work from Nugent.
However, Southampton went against the run of play, just like North end did in the first half. Lonergan made another fantastic save, this time from Surman. The ball fell to Rasiak who`s shot was saved by Lonergan but he then looped a header over the keeper, which hit the crossbar and then was ruled to go over the line before a defender cleared the ball. However, it was clearly a goal.
Preston 1-1 Southampton: Rasiak
Preston made their first change on 66 minutes, Agyemang came on for Mellor. The striker started to cause trouble in Soton`s back line with his lightening quick pace. !0 minutes later, he set up the next goal. He laid off Nugent after getting past Baird, Nugent then got into the box, stopped and flicked the ball over the sprawling Kelvin Davis.
Preston 2-1 Southampton: Nugent
Burley responded by bringing off Kenwyne Jones for Wright-Phillips. However shortly after this sub, North End`s third goal came. Sedgwick won the ball in the area and he fired a low cross in which deflected off Chris Baird who was credited with the own goal.
Preston 3-1 Southampton: Baird (og)
The changes were now being rung, with Saganowski coming on for Surman and Wilson replacing Ricketts, with North End changing formation. Next came on Dichio, to the fans delight replacing another fans favourite David Nugent.
Full time: Preston 3-1 Southampton
Player Ratings
Andy Lonergan
9
Graham Alexander
7
Liam Chilvers
7
Sean St.Ledger
7
Callum Davidson
7
Chris Sedgwick
7
Pavel Pergl
7
Danny Pugh
7
Neil Mellor
7
Michael Ricketts
7
David Nugent
8
Patrick Agyemang
7
