Preston North End 2 Leeds United 1

It was another short trip across the Pennines for a lunchtime kickoff, courtesy of Sky, with Leeds United in the pink kit again for this Boxing Day fixture. Preston had been in poor form recently and this game was expected to be an easy one for Leeds after such a stunning performance 3 days ago at home to Ipswich. Deepdale is the oldest professional football stadium in the world and this was supposed to be a sell-out and the largest crowd at Deepdale for many years, but there were still quite a few empty seats in the stadium of only 23,000 capacity for the visit of an unchanged Leeds United side. 

It was an uneventful, quiet start with both teams probing for openings and there was no early goalmouth action. Leeds were looking ok and were seemingly in control but it was the home side that had the best efforts and were gaining in confidence as the first half developed and on 20 minutes came close to scoring when a dangerous cross was whipped in at speed beating the Leeds defence and flashing past the head of a Preston attacker by only inches. Leeds became more dominant as the half progressed, Rodon coming close with a header before Meslier saved well, tipping over the bar a shot from distance. Preston definitely had the best openings and were ahead on points but with poor quality long range shots they were unable to test Mes again in the opening 45 minutes.

Leeds were not seriously stretched but neither were Preston and the game had been somewhat disappointingly uneventful so far. Leeds had to up their game in the second half and whatever tweaks Farke had made did seem to spark Leeds into life and they were beginning to take a grip until Mes was provoked into being sent off. He was pushed and jostled after taking possession of the ball and he gently pushed a Preston player in retaliation …but on the face. Raising your hands is a no-no in this age of mamby-pamby football and the slight push poleaxed his opponent, causing him to role over and over in agony resulting in Mes being given his marching orders. 

This was the turning point in the game and Piroe made way for Darlow to make his debut in goal. His first task was to pick the ball out of the net as Preston took the lead with an excellent header. For me that was game over. Leeds were still behind on points, down to ten men, and now one nil down too…it was a bridge too far. Rutter had been Leeds best player but Leeds had been unable to create any chances. Summerville had threatened and always looks lively but this was a bit like “after the lord mayor’s show” for Leeds today. 

When Dan James threw himself into the air in the 83rd minute Leeds had a life-line and it probably was a penalty but they are so rarely given, especially against the home side and especially for Leeds. With both two penalty takers, Piroe and Summerville, subbed off, up stepped Captain Struijk to the rescue making no mistake with a beautifully taken penalty. The ten men were then chasing the winner and it certainly looked a possibility but Millar on the left wing put an end to any hopes of that, cutting in from the touchline and sending an unstoppable curling effort past Darlow from the corner of the box. Leeds maybe should have battened down the hatches and clung on to a valuable point but with Leicester and Ipswich well clear and Southampton breathing down their necks three points were tempting. Preston were worthy winners though, Leeds were not good enough today and Archie was up against a player that had a great day. 

This was a blip, all and sundry say Leeds were shit. I understand the disappointment but the draw would have been an excellent result. Southampton won 5-0, Ipswich drew at Leicester and Leeds will have a really difficult match at WBA on Friday night. Another defeat, which is definitely a strong possibility with a repeat performance will force Farke’s hand. Gnonto will get his chance and replace Piroe and there might be other changes to freshen things up. Spence at right back, Archie on the bench and Byram back in at left back. We are down but not out.