2 – 3
Did it deliver?
A fixture that over-delivered in the first half, with five goals and a hat-trick in a frantic opening 45 minutes. The second half faded into a quieter finish despite Preston's late consolation.
Preston North End went ahead after two minutes through Léo Leroy, but Sheffield United answered with a devastating spell in which Sydie Peck scored three times before the break. Peck's goals came from the assists of Harrison Burrows, Ben Brereton and Romelle Donovan, and each time the visitors found space in behind. Sheffield United dominated the numbers, with 60% possession, 18 shots to 6 and a 78% pass accuracy against Preston's 67%. Preston were left relying on a Callum Lang strike at 76′, set up by Alfie Devine, which made for a nervy finish but could not complete a comeback. The win gives Sheffield United a valuable three points, while Preston's early promise fell apart through a leaky first half and some ill-discipline, including Leroy's booking for arguing.
Winless Preston North End, bottom of the Championship with just 5 points, host a Sheffield United side unbeaten in three and chasing the play-off places. Preston beat the Blades 3-2 in both league meetings last season, and that history gives them something to build on.
Scored the winner against Wrexham and is a constant threat if United get on the front foot.
Expected to lead Preston's attack and needs to turn the little service he gets into goals.
Likely to step in for the suspended Kitching and will have to organise the defence against Preston's attack.
May start after a half-time introduction at Stoke and could give Preston some attacking width.
Preston North End
Sheffield United
Sheffield United•MidfielderBrad Potts is substituted for Stanley Mills.
Harrison Burrows takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Shot - Stanley Mills Head Shot Missed
On comes Sam McCallum, off goes Romelle Donovan.
Mark McGuinness attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
Callum LangCallum Lang scores with a right-footed shot.
Goal! Callum Lang scores, bringing the score to 2-3, assisted by Alfie Devine.
Alfie Devine takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Corner awarded.
Corner awarded.
Sydie Peck takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Jordan Ayew is on, and Hamza Choudhury is off.
Offside.
Léo LeroyYellow CardYellow card shown to Leo Leroy.
Alfie Devine comes on for Jusef Erabi.
Japhet Tanganga takes a shot with his head, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Ben Brereton takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Hamza Choudhury takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Sydie Peck's right-footed shot is blocked.
Femi Seriki comes on for Tahith Chong.
Substitution: Oliver Arblaster comes on for Jairo Riedewald.
Offside.
Caleb Wiley takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Jusef Erabi takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Sydie Peck's right-footed shot is saved.
Corner awarded.
Offside.
Tahith Chong takes a left-footed shot but misses.
On comes Liam Lindsay, off goes Jordan Storey.
Caleb Wiley is on, and Andrija Vukcevic is off.
First half ends with the score at 1-3.
Sydie Peck scores with a right-footed shot.
assist: Romelle Donovan
Goal! Sydie Peck scores, bringing the score to 1-3, assisted by Romelle Donovan.
Thomas Cannon takes a left-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Corner awarded.
Sydie Peck takes a shot with her right foot and scores.
assist: Ben Brereton Díaz
Goal! Sydie Peck scores to make it 1-2, assisted by Ben Brereton.
Romelle Donovan takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Offside.
Romelle Donovan's left-footed shot is saved.
Offside.
Sydie Peck takes a shot with her right foot and scores.
assist: Harrison Burrows
Goal! Sydie Peck scores to make it 1-1, assisted by Harrison Burrows.
Callum Lang comes on for Johny Kenny.
Ben Brereton takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Léo LeroyShot on goal! Leo Leroy takes a right-footed shot.
assist: Andrija Vukcevic
Goal! Leo Leroy scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Andrija Vukcevic.
Kick-off! The referee is John Busby.
