Preston North End player ratings vs Southampton...

Graham Alexander has his first victory as Preston manager.

Preston North End have defeated Southampton for their first win under Graham Alexander!

placeholder image — CameraSport - Lee Parker

The first-half was fantastic. Like at Sheffield United, Preston imposed themselves on their opponents from the off but this time they managed to sustain it.

Though they did create chances by winning the ball high up the field, and should have done better with one or two, they actually played some really nice football as well.

There was plenty of silky interplay from the forward players, while Preston looked confident in possession and as a result limited Southampton’s early opportunities.

An absolute howitzer from Jordan Thompson gave them a deserved lead and, for the first time under the new manager, they went in at the break ahead.

The second-half was predictably a backs-to-the walls affair as Southampton pushed and pushed for a leveller but, at last, Preston stood firm.

Here’s how the players rated in a massive victory.

Lee Nicholls - 9

First league start for the club and had a quiet first half other than two simple saves down his throat. Though he did play one lovely pass out to Thierry Small on the flank. Tested much more after the break, including one stupendous stop from a Wellington rocket.

Odel Offiah - 8

Good response to his mistakes on Tuesday, with some really hard-working defending on the right portion of the pitch He showed great pace to constantly keep up with Saints forwards, timing his tackles well.

Liam Lindsay - 8.5

Booked for a typical pull-back on a player who raced passed him, but other wise was a real strong presence in the back line, adding a bit of solidity that has been missing. Won big headers and made important blocks.

Andrew Hughes - 7

Steady and solid, keeping firmly in the back-three this time instead of venturing forward like on Tuesday. Made one crucial intervention to cut out a threatening through-ball at the end of the first half.

Stanley Mills - 7.5

He might never call right wing-back his true home, but Stanley Mills is growing into the role. He was helped on Saturday by being allowed to push higher up, with Preston’s shape constantly shifting, but he was a real danger on the right. Especially when he could get on the ball and weave his way past defenders.

Some good crosses, too, and played his part in the opening goal.

Andy Moran - 9

Fantastic performance. Amazing to think it’s only his second league start of the season. He was everywhere. Pressing forwards, tracking back to make tackles, energetic, pinging 50-yard passes onto the toes of teammates. Always positive and looking to shoot, too, as he clipped the bar and then had another effort deflected into the past of Thompson for his goal. Was still pelting forward in the 93rd minute. Unreal performance.

Jordan Thompson - 8.5

It’s been a tough last couple of games for Thompson, but he really bounced back on Saturday. He was given a more dedicated sitting role at the base of midfield, often in line with the defence, and it suited him just being tasked with winning the ball back and simply laying it off to teammates. He was competitive and first to loose balls, which he wasn’t on Tuesday.

Of course, despite his deep position, he went on to leather in a shotgun blast of a volley right into the bottom corner.

Andrija Vukcevic - 7

Good in tight spaces and energetic down the left, working hard to cut out danger. Didn’t get as many opportunities as usual to cross, and wasn’t as accurate as normal when he did.

Alfie Devine - 7.5

Has a good response to being dropped off the bench on Tuesday and that continued here. Devine was high energy and threw himself into challenges, not to mention his nice link-up play with his fellow forwards. Should have done better when he did well to win a ball high up, but then hit his shot low at the keeper instead of into the net.

Callum Lang - 7.5

Lead the press with gusto, including winning it back in Saints’ box to create a goal-mouth scramble that somehow didn’t go in. Didn’t see an awful lot of the ball but it was a real selfless performance leading the line, with good movement to drag Saints’ defenders all over.

Thierry Small - 7

An early appeal to the crowd for support typified this high octane performance. Small finally got a chance in a more advanced position and looked much more comfortable there, his pace and directness a real thorn in Saints’ side. His composure when on the ball in good positions, especially with a chance he spooned over early in the second-half, could have been better but a positive display nevertheless.

Substitutes