It’s a bit of a mediocre gameweek for the Yanks in the EFL. Despite heading into the 90th minute with the 1-0 lead, Duane Holmes’ Preston North End conceded two goals in quick succession in the 90’+6 and 90’+9, respectively. Elsewhere, Haji Wright’s Coventry City picked up their first win since the fourth of October, sustaining four losses and a draw in the process.
Preston North End 1-2 Cardiff City
Starting in the midfield, Holmes played the full 90 minutes for the first time since the 19th of September. The now 29-year-old held his own well in the middle, especially considering his side was reduced to ten men. The American saw one of his shots rattle the crossbar and was unfortunate not to have scored. Despite holding the lead for much of the second half, PNE allowed two unanswered goals in rapid succession, allowing Cardiff to snatch all three points on the road.
The initial 45 minutes were hard-fought but ultimately forgettable. North End entered halftime still awaiting their first moment in the final third, and they didn’t have to wait too long for it to materialize. Preston has displayed ruthlessness this season, capitalizing on opportunities and outperforming various attacking metrics. On the 48th minute, Milutin Osmajic seized the ball from Mark McGuinness, advanced alone towards the goal, and skillfully directed the ball past Rúnarsson, who never appeared capable of thwarting him.
Initially poised to secure the game, North End’s fortunes took a drastic turn just four minutes after Osmajic’s opener. Brady, already on a yellow for dissent, found himself retreating after a poor cross into the box. His subsequent red card, a result of an avoidable and costly foul on Yakou Méïté in Preston’s own half, altered the complexion of the clash entirely.
With nine minutes of added time and fervent home crowd support, PNE aimed to come through as a cohesive unit. The points seemed within North End’s grasp, but, reminiscent of earlier occurrences this season, a 96th-minute blow came as Grant fired home amidst a crowd of bodies, crushing Preston hearts. If a draw was a bitter pill, what ensued was as excruciating as it gets. Cardiff, resurgent in attack, sensed the opportunity to compound the Lilywhites’ agony. Ike Ugbo delivered the heavy blow, with a 99th-minute header, knocked North End flat to the canvas. Preston, on the brink of a miraculous victory just minutes earlier, left empty-handed and utterly speechless.
Millwall 0-3 Coventry City
Starting as the left winger once again, Wright played the entire 90 minutes but was mostly a passenger throughout the match. He had the fewest touches of any outfield player who played the full 90 minutes, lost the most duels, and missed three clear-cut chances. He picked up an xG (expected goal) of 1.36, according to the statistical app FotMob. This would mean Wright should’ve scored but just didn’t.
Despite the early pressure, the Sky Blues were the ones to break the deadlock. In the 30th minute, Godden tapped the ball into the back of the empty Millwall net, reacting quickest after Wright forced another excellent stop from Białkowski.
The second half continued with proper end-to-end action, and Sakamoto made it 2-0 in the 66th minute after Jamie Allen’s powerful attempt was parried directly into his path by Białkowski.
Millwall, eager to get back into the game, struggled to carve out a clear-cut chance in the final 10 minutes, but their efforts were in vain. The scoreline extended to 3-0 when Sheaf bundled in the resulting corner from close range, sealing a morale-boosting victory for Mark Robins’ side.
Notes:
Charlie Kelman came on as an 82nd-minute substitute in QPR’s 1-0 loss to Norwich on the road.
Reggie Cannon was unable to make it back for QPR’s match against Norwich due to an injury sustained early in the month but has since returned to training.
Lynden Gooch came on as a 74th-minute substitute in Stoke City’s 3-0 loss at home to Blackburn Rovers.
Jonathan Tomkinson finally returned to the Bradford City squad but was ultimately an unused substitute in their 1-0 home win against Accrington Stanley.
Vaughn Covil didn’t feature in any of Hull City’s squads, but he recently spoke about his loyalty to the U.S. and how they’ve always been there for him.
Josh Sargent and Daryl Dike are both still recovering from their injuries.
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