Preston North End 2-1 Blackburn Rovers: Lang double gives PNE derby day win
A huge three points.
Preston North End secured their first win of the Championship season with a 2-1 victory over rivals Blackburn Rovers.
Callum Lang scored his first for PNE to give them the lead after nine minutes, tapping it home following a ball across the goalmouth from Middlesbrough loanee Delano Burgzorg.
North End’s number 10 got his second on 28 minutes after connecting with a quality cross from Jordan Thompson from a free-kick.
The away side halved the deficit on 51 minutes. Stanley Mills was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net after a cross from the right.
PNE held firm to get a crucial victory and kickstart their season.
Daniel Iversen made a strong save with his boot on the fifth minute to deny Todd Cantwell who was played through on goal.
North End took the lead on nine minutes. A ball in from Burgzorg towards the far post,. after neat play from Alfie Devine, gave Lang the simple job of tapping it in and sending Deepdale into rapturous cheers.
Blackburn had attempts to equalise but couldn’t keep them down. Sam Morsy’s effort went over Iversen’s crossbar 18 minutes in before Ryoya Morishita’s powerful strike from inside the box deflected over for a corner which was subsequently dealt with by the Danish keeper. Ryan Alebiosu had a go from range but it landed in the stands.
North End doubled their lead after Stanley Mills won a free kick. Thompson sent an inch-perfect ball in and Lang headed it into the back of the net from just a couple of yards out.
PNE went searching for a third and nearly got it on 33 minutes. After some great work by Lang to win back the ball, the hosts broke quickly down the centre of the pitch as Leroy threaded a through ball to Burgzorg, but the on-rushing Aynsley Pears charged the shot down. Dapo Afolayan tried to halve the deficit from eight yards out but Iversen held well.
Thompson had a go direct from a free kick; it took a deflection off a Rovers man and went behind for a corner. Moments later, Lang tried to get his third but the angle was tight and Pears could punch clear.
The visitors got one back with six minutes of the second half played. Ryan Alebiosu crossed it towards the back post and it was turned in by Mills.
Just before the hour mark, Leo Leroy capitalised on a loose ball, won back possession and found Burgzorg getting goal-side. After receiving the pass, Burgzorg aimed a low shot towards goal but it was tame and easy for Pears.
Blackburn threatened and pushed for an equaliser. Jayden Fevrier curled one towards goal but his effort crashed against the post. Iversen made a pair of top-class saves from Gudjohnsen and Fevrier in quick succession shortly afterwards.
Substitutes Johnny Kenny - making his debut - and Jusef Erabi almost combined to get a third for North End when the former sent in a dangerous low ball into the area, but Erabi couldn’t quite connect.
The on-loan Genk striker fired over from a free kick just before added time commenced. That was the last chance for either side as PNE showed real determination and character to secure the three points.
Preston North End starting XI: Iversen, Clarke, Storey, Gibson, Wiley (Vukcevic 60’), Thompson, Leroy, Mills (Offiah 69’), Devine (Gibbs 74’), Burgzorg (Kenny 60’), Lang (Erabi 60’). Unused subs: Nicholls, Lindsay, Small, Moran.