The FOUR talking points from Preston North End's derby win over Blackburn Rovers

Preston North End left Ewood Park with the bragging rights on Friday night as they secured a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

All of the goals came in the first half, Greg Cunningham opening the scoring against his former team and Liam Lindsay doubled PNE’s advantage before Adam Armstrong pulled one back from the spot shortly after.

Here are four talking points from the Lancashire Derby...

1. Pride restored.

Alex Neil gives instructions to his players in their win at Ewood Park.Alex Neil gives instructions to his players in their win at Ewood Park.
Alex Neil gives instructions to his players in their win at Ewood Park.

Coming away from the 3-0 defeat at Deepdale at the hands of Friday’s opponents earlier on in the season will have been as dejected as North End fans have felt for some time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Played off the park and barely even swinging a punch never mind landing one, it was an embarrassing night in PR1.

That meant there was plenty to play for at Ewood and that certainly seemed to be the case.

To a man the PNE performance was fantastic.

Each player on the pitch won their individual battles and but for a contentious penalty decision and some dodgy finishing, it could have looked even better for the Lilywhites.

You always remember the most recent fixture too, so with a bit of a wait until the next meeting the bragging rights are securely in the bag for a good few months.

2. The manager got it right.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There were many questions when the starting XI was announced before the game.

A left back was at centre back, another centre back had come in from the cold and the shape had changed to 3-5-2.

There were big calls made by Alex Neil but they proved to be the right ones.

The shape worked perfectly into PNE’s hands and the wing backs linked up to find the opening goal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Blackburn had very little in the game and their goal came from the spot.

The defensive shape was excellent as was the support from those in front of the backline.

Fans can be quick to point out where they think the manager has got it wrong at time but he deserves credit for masterminding the win, both tactically but also by instilling what the derby meant into the players.

3. Speeds up settling down.

Alex Neil spoke before the game about winning games and how that will effect how quickly his new players can settle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A battling performance and a win in a derby will go a long way to getting the new North End players feeling like one of the group.

Early on in their PNE careers they’ve come up with a big win away from home, albeit without the atmosphere of 7,000 fans behind one of the goals.

With 8 new arrivals settling in is almost the name of the game at Deepdale at the moment so anything that goes towards that is a big help, as are three points.

4. A platform to build from.

Coming into the derby from back to back to defeats, the mood had gotten low around North End.

That has changed drastically now through a few factors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

New players are having an impact - Daniel Iversen, Liam Lindsay and Ched Evans were all superb against Rovers - and the win at Ewood has a double impact.

Not only are the three points very welcome, but it’s also a high stakes game that PNE came out on the right side of in Blackburn’s own ground.

It’s a huge platform for the entire squad not just the new players but it could be a perfect rallying point to really kickstart this second part of the season and set PNE off for a run at those play-off places.