Preston North End player ratings v Watford: Some decent performances despite defeat
Scores from midweek action in Hertfordshire.
Preston North End suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Watford on Tuesday night.
Despite an early Callum Lang opener, second half goals from Edo Kayembe and Mamadou Doumbia condemned North End to a third straight away loss.
It was a game in which no players had a poor game, but the substitutions for both sides had contrasting impacts on the outcome of the match.
Here are our player ratings.
Starting XI
Daniel Iversen: Could have tried to claim Bravo’s ball before Doumbia scored. Good save from Vata early on. 6
Odel Offiah: Calm on the ball, strong in one v ones. Looked less confident when moved to the left, understandably so. 6.5
Jordan Storey: Confident in the air in the main, before he and Clarke were beaten by Doumbia for second. 6.5
Lewis Gibson: Some big clearances in the first half. Had to track back for Doumbia’s goal. 6.5
Harry Clarke: Always positive. Unlucky not to score on the hour mark, great movement to set himself up for what should’ve been a goal. Turned by Maamma for the first goal. 6.5
Léo Leroy: Superb passing. Could improve shooting but what he has to do best as a midfielder, he does so well. Better first half than second. 7
Jordan Thompson: His effort led to Lang’s goal. Him and Leroy are a quality midfield two. Doesn’t close down Bravo’s cross. 7
Andrija Vukcevic: Superb work rate as per. Some big defensive contributions and great ventures forward too. Heckingbottom said he came off after hurting his back. 7.5
Alfie Devine: Brilliant corner delivery which led to the opener. Had a couple of decent efforts in first half, some excellent passes in behind. Poor clearance leads to equalising goal. 6.5
Callum Lang: Right place, right time for the goal. Excellent hold up play. Will be annoyed to have not scored a second. 7
Johnny Kenny: Worked well with Lang. Not afraid to have a go from range. Worked hard 7
Substitutes
Delano Burgzorg: Saw effort saved by Ravaglia. 6
Stanley Mills: Restricted and struggled in a more defensive position. 5.5
Jusef Erabi: Saw a couple of efforts blocked. 6
Liam Gibbs: Again, a quiet but faultless cameo. 6