Preston North End 2-2 Norwich City as visitors fight back to draw at Deepdale
A share of the spoils at Deepdale between PNE and Norwich City
Manager Paul Heckingbottom made three changes on the night and by the 12th minute mark, two of the players brought in had scored. With six minutes on the clock, Canaries goalkeeper George Long came flying out and brought down Emil Riis - with referee Will Finnie pointing straight to the spot. Up stepped Sam Greenwood, to strike straight down the middle for his first league goal of the campaign.
The Leeds United loan man was as bright as anyone in the opening exchanges, and he then showed terrific awareness to slide Duane Holmes through on goal. The American raced clear and beat Long for power with his right footed, drilled effort. Preston’s plan was clearly to exploit space in behind the Canaries’ defence, with pace.
PNE always carried a threat in that regards, but as the half wore on the visitors began to enjoy more and more possession - with North End dropping deeper and deeper. Freddie Woodman remained largely untested in the Preston net though and it looked as though the two goal lead would remain intact. However, with just seconds of the half remaining, Borja Sainz pulled one back from close range.
That set the second half well and truly up; the Lilywhites would need to rediscover their early energy and ask questions of Norwich once again. And just before the hour mark, a glorious chance to regain their two goal cushion went begging - as Greenwood sent Riis through on goal with a clipped pass over the top, only for the Dane to place his shot agonisingly wide of the far, right corner.
The Championship is often described as a ruthless and brutal league. Only a couple of minutes after that chance went begging for Preston, the ball was in the back of their net. Josh Sargent had been lively all evening and it was he who picked out an unlikely team mate in the box, as Norwich equalised through centre-back Shane Duffy. The 32-year-old popped up inside the box and applied the first time finish.
It was end-to-end from that point on, with tired legs notable and both managers turning to their respective benches - to try and provide the spark. A clear-cut chance to clinch the game never particularly presented itself for either side. PNE substitute Mads Frokjaer did find Riis in a dangerous shooting position, but his effort - after cutting inside - was charged down.
PNE starting XI: Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes, Kesler-Hayden, Whiteman (c), McCann, Brady, Holmes (Thordarson 76’), Greenwood (Frokjaer 67’), Riis. PNE unused subs: Cornell, Whatmough, Best, Ledson, Okkels, Bowler, Stewart. Attendance: 13,677 (730 away)