Preston North End 2-2 Norwich City match report, ratings

Goals from Borja Sainz and Shane Duffy brought the scoreline back to 2-2 after a disastrous first 12 minutes, extending the Canaries' unbeaten run to six games and softening what would have been a serious blow to their momentum.

Johannes Hoff Thorup had praised his side’s tendency to start fast away from home before the game, but it wasn't an especially strong opening at Deepdale. They were sloppy in possession and vulnerable out of it, and before long they were in serious trouble.

George Long was always second favourite to Robbie Brady's ball in behind, and referee Will Finnie barely had a decision to make when he dived at Emil Riis' feet. Sam Greenwood stepped up, leaving City behind within six minutes.

There was brief hope of a rebuttal when Borja Sainz's improvised effort was hooked away by a retreating Woodman, but shortly thereafter the deficit was doubled.

Two cheap concessions in midfield allowed Preston in on goal with one simple pass, exploiting a gaping hole on the left side of the visiting defence and allowing Duane Holmes to fire past Long from close range.

Thorup's charges started to enjoy some possession with the Whites happy to sit on their lead, but they struggled even to make it to the final third. There were failed creative attempts from Sainz and debutant Emiliano Marcondes, but there was no sign whatsoever of the hosts' impressive defensive record being dented.

Instead it was they who looked the more dangerous, threatening on the counter and from set-pieces.

But Sainz set out to change that, and offered a very slight hint of hope when his mazy run ended in a free-kick 35 yards out. Kenny McLean was the beneficiary when Marcondes' cross was headed into his path, his volley bouncing harmlessly wide from 18 yards.

The Scot's yellow card minutes later just worsened the descending yellow and green mood, although another near miss from Sainz hinted at improvement. 

On the brink of half time the Spaniard made that improvement a tangible one, adding his eighth goal of the Championship season to give his side some hope. Kellen Fisher was the provider, crossing into the 23-year-old for a clever finish at the near post.

It was Fisher who made way at half time, however, with his head coach keen to see a changed second period. The vehicle for that was a back three, with a variety of position changes meaning different roles for the majority of the away line-up.

The change had the desired effect in terms of territory, but within 15 minutes Preston had squandered a golden chance to make it 3-1. Riis left Duffy for dead after a clipped ball in behind, curling well wide with only Long to beat.

That may have exposed the Irishman's lack of pace, but any image of him as an old-school relic was quickly seen to when he crafted and scored the equaliser. The 32-year-old carried from his own half to the edge of the box, sending Josh Sargent through on goal with a well-weighted through ball. Sargent then returned the favour, cutting in and gifting Duffy a simple finish for a Steven Gerrard-esque goal.

From there much of the game was dominated by Paul Heckingbottom's men, as they pushed for the win they looked so certain to get early on. Brady continued to send high-quality balls ominously toward the Norwich box, but none did the desired damage.

Riis had the best chance to find a winner when he worked some room 15 yards out, but a sturdy Jose Cordoba block denied what would have been a dramatic late decider.

City face another quick turnaround for Sunday's meeting with Middlesbrough, but they'll be pleased to return to Carrow Road after two tough away assignments.

PRESTON NORTH END:

Substitutes:

13. Cornell (GK)

5. Whatmough

10. Forkjaer (on for Greenwood, 67)

17. Stewart

18. Ledson

22. Thordarson (on for Holmes, 77)

23. Okkels

33. Best

40. Bowler

Manager: Paul Heckingbottom

Bookings: Whiteman (30), Storey (36)

Goals: Greenwood (pen, 6), Holmes (12)

NORWICH CITY:

Substitutes:

37. Mair (GK)

3. Stacey (on for Slimane, 81)

5. Hanley

14. Chrisene (on for Crnac, 67)

18. Forson

19. Sorensen

21. Gordon (on for Fisher, 45)

29. Schwartau

41. Forsyth (on for Marcondes, 67)

Head Coach: Johannes Hoff Thorup

Bookings: Doyle (27), McLean (32), Marcondes (65)

Goals: Sainz (45+2), Duffy (62)

KEY MOMENTS

6 - GOAL PRESTON (Greenwood): Long brings Riis down after he goes through on goal, and Greenwood steps up to fire down the middle.

11 - Storey's header falls for Sainz with Woodman off his line, but the Spaniard's strike lacks the power for an unlikely equaliser.

12 - GOAL PRESTON (Holmes): City give the ball away twice in midfield before the hosts exploit a gaping hole in the left side of their defence with one pass, allowing Holmes to beat long from close range.

31 - Marcondes' free-kick is headed as far as McLean, who scuffs his volley well wide.

44 - Sainz hits a curling shot from the corner of the box that rises just over the crossbar.

45+2 - GOAL NORWICH (Sainz): Fisher fires a low cross into the box and Sainz makes the most with a fine finish at the near post.

Half time: Preston North End 2-1 Norwich City

58 - A chipped ball in behind sends Riis through on goal with Duffy unable to catch him, but he curls well wide of the far post.

62 - GOAL NORWICH (Duffy): Duffy drives from his own half to the edge of the box and sends Sargent through on goal. He checks back and returns the favour, leaving a simple finish for the Irishman.

71 - Forkjaer's low shot is deflected just wide.

83 - Riis finds room to shoot in the Norwich box, but he's denied by a sturdy Cordoba block.

87 - Stacey wins the ball high up, but his ball in finds no takers.

Full time: Preston North End 2-2 Norwich City

PLAYER RATINGS

Long 4, Fisher 6, Duffy 7, Cordoba 5, Doyle 5, McLean 6, Slimane 7, Marcondes 6, Crnac 6, Sainz 8, Sargent 6. Subs: Gordon 6, Forsyth 5, Chrisene 5, Stacey 5.

MATCH STATISTICS

Possession: 31pc-69pc

Shots: 7-9

On target: 2-3

Corners: 5-2

Fouls: 10-15

Added time: 2 mins/3 mins

Attendance: (670 Norwich)

Referee: Will Finnie