Preston North End player ratings v QPR: One 8/10 display but work to do as fatigue shows
Scores out of ten from West London.
Preston North End drew 2-2 with QPR despite being two goals to the good at half time, and having the advantage of an extra man.
Johnny Kenny gave PNE the lead inside 30 seconds after a terrific solo break. The hosts went down to 10 men with a quarter of an hour played following a reckless challenge from Dennis Cirkin on Léo Leroy. Kenny made it two for him and his team on 26 minutes after seizing on a loose ball and unleashing a fine effort from inside the area. Kwame Poku halved the deficit midway through the second half. Paul Smyth equalised in the last minute of normal time.
Here are our player ratings from the game.
Starting XI
Daniel Iversen: Some really important saves to stop QPR scoring more, particularly in last 20 minutes. Distribution needs work. 7
Harry Clarke: Big blocks late on. Good moves forward. Another rash yellow. 6.5
Jordan Storey: Important clearances from six yards out or so, especially in first half. Should be closer to Poku for his goal. Half-clearances in second half led to corners. 6
Andrew Hughes: Like most of the team, he tired in the later stages but was decent early on, similarly to Storey he removed a lot of danger from crosses in first half. Received a yellow card. 6
Stanley Mills: Assist for Kenny’s first - whether he meant it or not is another question! Good play prior to second and almost assisted Lang. Worked hard defensively - we’ll see even better performances when he’s in his natural position - terrific late blocks from Saito. 7.5
Andrija Vukcevic: Quieter but what he did, he did decently. Had a couple of efforts at goal, aggressive as usual. Struggled fitness-wise late on. 6.5
Jordan Thompson: Looked in control in the first half but was up against it in second half when QPR really pushed forward. 6
Léo Leroy: Thankfully okay and went on to have a solid game after Cirkin tackle, was keeping ball well amid QPR pressure but again quieter than usual. 6.5
Alfie Devine: Is yet to hit the consistency of last season. Lacked a creative spark and deliveries rarely came off. 5.5
Callum Lang: Got into good areas, hit the bar in second half with decent header but effort in first half was tame after good work by Mills. Partnership with Kenny needs work. 5.5
Johnny Kenny: Really well-taken goals. Confident and calm finish into the corner for the first, alert and powerful for the second. Physical against a strong QPR defence. Snatched at a couple of chances in second half but possibly subbed off too early. 8
Substitutes
Liam Gibbs: Gave away cheap fouls. Couple of important clearances. 6
Jusef Erabi: Ran and ran but momentum of game meant his actual involvement was limited. 6
Pol Valentin: Makes Smyth’s effort a hell of a lot easier for him, 5
Odel Offiah: Was only on for a few minutes. 6