The six talking points from Preston North End's win over Brentford

Preston North End came from two goals down at halftime to beat Brentford 4-2 and inflict the hosts’ first defeat in their new stadium.
Joe Rafferty and Ryan Ledson at the Brentford Community Stadium.Joe Rafferty and Ryan Ledson at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Joe Rafferty and Ryan Ledson at the Brentford Community Stadium.

A double from Ivan Toney in the first half was cancelled out by a pair from Scott Sinclair before Brad Potts and Sean Maguire sealed the win.

Here are the six talking point’s from Sunday’s win.

1. A tale of two halves.

The obvious first, the game was turned on its head in the second half.

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North End were not particularly bad in the first 45 but silly errors gave chances to the quality of Brentford and they punished the visitors.

Toney took his chances well and made PNE pay.

In the second half, it was Preston at their best – pressing, scrapping, slick and ruthless.

They unsettled Brentford and made the game their own – even a team huddle at 2-2 couldn’t arrest the slide for The Bees.

In the end, Alex Neil’s men were good value for the win, in a performance that was easy on the eyes too.

2. First win on the board.

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After a slow start to the season it’s very Preston of Preston to get their first win of the campaign by turning over the favourites for promotion on their own patch.

Whatever the circumstances, getting the first three points on the board is key.

With the mood around the club surrounding transfers and the like, bringing in a striker on Friday and beating Brentford on the Sunday will go a long way to help restore the mood around PR1.

3. Finally a win at Brentford.

Aside from it being the first win of the season, it was also the first win at Brentford’s new home. The Bees were unbeaten since moving to the Brentford Community Stadium but that doesn’t tell the full story.

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Sunday’s win was the first win on the road against the London side since 2011, Neil Mellor and Iain Hume doing the damage.

It could be a good time for a fresh record when it comes to trips to Brentford.

4. Taking chances.

In the second half PNE looked a much more clinical outfit than we often see.

The Bees showed in the first half the benefit of being clinical and their visitors did the same in the second.

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Chances in the first 45 were generally half chances at best, having to work to fashion them.

As the comeback began it was a North End side that started to take their chances.

Sinclair’s goals weren’t simple and Potts stole half a yard in the area before dispatching. More of the same certainly in order.

5. A platform to build from.

After a faltering start to this campaign, and below par form since project restart, this gives PNE a real platform to build from.

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There might not be another side this season that turn Brentford over in the way North End did and they can certainly take lots of confidence from that.

Couple that with the move to their new training ground at Euxton and it could really light a fire under the Lilywhites that could give them a real spring.

6. Personnel.

Going into the game there were a few key absentees, Daniel Johnson and Darnell Fisher missed out through injury and Tom Barkhuizen was suspended.

Despite missing those three key players North End put together a great performance.

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You’d hope that the squad would only be buoyed by their return, not to mention a certain Dane making his debut.

Emil Riis came off the bench, the new striker as previously mentioned and though he didn’t have much of an impact on the game, it just creates that extra buzz and excitement.

It will be interesting to see what a PNE side, playing as they did in the second half at Brentford, with those four invovled and firing could be capable of.