Preston North End 0 Stoke City 1 - Red card for Tom Barkhuizen a critical moment in PNE's Deepdale defeat

A first-half red card for Tom Barkhuizen proved a crucial moment as Preston North End went down to defeat against Stoke City at Deepdale.
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Barkhuizen saw red in the 22nd minute for a sliding challenge on Potters defender Morgan Fox.

It looked a harsh decision on the replay, the winger slipping just before making the challenge which carried him into Fox who was also sliding in.

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Referee Matt Donohue showed a straight red card, one which North End are likely to appeal.

Preston North End's Tom Barkhuizen and Stoke's Morgan Fox slid in, with Barkhuizen receiving a red cardPreston North End's Tom Barkhuizen and Stoke's Morgan Fox slid in, with Barkhuizen receiving a red card
Preston North End's Tom Barkhuizen and Stoke's Morgan Fox slid in, with Barkhuizen receiving a red card

Until the sending-off, the hosts were well on top of the game and were for a few minutes after it.

However, it was Stoke who made the breakthrough at the other end in the 39th minute with Lee Gregory turning home a low cross from John Obi Mikel at the far post.

The visitors were to hold on to that lead, rather comfortably it must be said in the second half.

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North End struggled going forward with a man less, unless to find a path through a well organised Stoke midfield and defence.

Referee Matt Donohue sends-off Tom Barkhuizen as Jayden Stockley and James McClean watch onReferee Matt Donohue sends-off Tom Barkhuizen as Jayden Stockley and James McClean watch on
Referee Matt Donohue sends-off Tom Barkhuizen as Jayden Stockley and James McClean watch on

Only in the closing few minutes did they begin to offer more of a threat, Brad Potts and Jayden Stockley having late chances saved.

Alex Neil had opted for a change of formation, going for a 3-4-1-2 system.

Jordan Storey, Patrick Bauer and Ben Davies formed the trio at the back, with Barkhuizen and Scot Sinclair playing as wing-backs.

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Ben Pearson and Ryan Ledson occupied the deeper midfield roles, Alan Browne pushed up behind front two Stockley and Sean Maguire.

Preston striker Jayden Stockley battles against Stoke defender James ChesterPreston striker Jayden Stockley battles against Stoke defender James Chester
Preston striker Jayden Stockley battles against Stoke defender James Chester

North End were well on the top of the play until the red card, creating some early chances.

Browne's fifth-minute free-kick hit the top of the Stoke wall and looped over the bar for a corner.

Not long after that, Ledson lifted a free-kick from the right channel over towards the far post where Stockley spun off the last defender and volleyed over the bar,

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Davies looped a header too high from Ledson's corner, then came Barkhuizen's red card.

Ryan Ledson makes a tackle on John Obi MikelRyan Ledson makes a tackle on John Obi Mikel
Ryan Ledson makes a tackle on John Obi Mikel

Barkhuizen and Fox were coming from different directions as they went to challenge for the ball on PNE's right-wing, Barkhuizen appearing to slip just before getting to the ball.

The slip saw him slide into Fox who had also gone to ground to make the tackle, Barkhuizen's momentum taking him into the Stoke man.

Mr Donohue was quick with the red card, deeming it serious foul play.

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For a spell after that, North End remained on top, Sinclair seeing a free-kick saved by keeper Adam Davies after Ledson's run had been blocked by Harry Souttar.

Against the run of play Stoke took a 39th minute lead. A free-kick was played short to John Obi Mikel on the edge of the box, the former Chelsea man playing a low ball to the far post which Gregory steered home.

In the run-up to half-time, Stoke went close again with a curling shot from Tommy Smith which just cleared the angle of far post and bar.

Stoke got a few sights of North End's goal in the early stages of the second half, the home side having to leave a few gaps because of being a man down.

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James McClean cut in from the left-wing and hit a low shot which seemed to be going wide of the near but it touched Declan Rudd's gloves and went behind for a corner.

Rudd saved low down by the other post a couple of minutes later from Clucas' shot, a corner having travelled across the box and fallen to the Stoke skipper.

In the 63rd minute, Rudd came out on top of a one-on-one with Clucas.

Bursting into the box on to Steven Fletcher's flick, Clucas hit a low shot which Rudd smothered well as he went to ground.

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There was a big let off for North End in the 75th minute when Ledson dallied on the ball on the edge of the box after taking a pass from substitute Andrew Hughes.

Gregory dispossessed him, the ball ran to Fletcher who had just Rudd to beat.

Fletcher opted to try a 'Rabona' shot, flicking the ball through his legs and seeing the ball bounce up against the bar and over the bar.

It was only in the last few minutes that Preston started to pose more of an attacking threat, with their second half play having really been stifled by playing with a man less.

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Stoke keeper Davies had been a spectator for long spells until he had to dive at the feet of substitute Potts who had been played in by Maguire's pass.

In the 89th minute Joe Rafferty's free-kick from the left was met by Stockley in the box, his header forcing Davies into a diving save.

PNE: Rudd, Storey (Hughes 59), Bauer, Davies, Barkhuizen, Pearson, Ledson (Rafferty 81), Browne, Sinclair (Potts 71), Maguire, Stockley. Subs (not used): Harrop, Gallagher, Bodin, Ripley.

Stoke: Davies, Souttar, Chester, Fox, Smith, Mikel, Clucas, McClean (Tymon 64), Oakley-Boothe (Thompson 85), Gregory, Fletcher (Brown 77). Subs (not used): Batth, Powell, Campbell, Butland.

Referee: Matt Donohue (Manchester)