Goals from Martyn Waghorn, David McGoldrick and Bersant Celina saw the Blues to a 3-0 home victory over Preston North End at Portman Road. Waghorn curled home a freekick in first-half injury time, McGoldrick headed the second four minutes after the break and Celina sealed what in the end was a very comfortable Town victory with a superb strike on 64.

Waghorn, McGoldrick, Callum Connolly, Adam Webster and Jordan Spence returned to the Town side with Dominic Iorfa, Grant Ward and Kevin Bru dropping to the bench having started at Cardiff in midweek, along with Tommy Smith and Flynn Downes, who were left out of the 18.

On-loan Everton man Connolly, primarily a defender, started in central midfield alongside Cole Skuse, while McGoldrick, Waghorn and Celina began the game behind lone out-and-out frontman Joe Garner, who was facing his old club.

Irish international striker Sean Maguire had joined Preston’s lengthy injury list with a hamstring injury with six Lilywhites defenders among those already sidelined.

Town centre-half Webster required treatment for a head injury in the fourth minute having clashed heads as he won the ball in the area, referee Andy Madley somewhat harshly awarding a freekick against the former Portsmouth man.

Preston carved out a chance on six, one-time Town target Jordan Hugill feeding Ben Pearson to his right. The former Manchester United trainee hit a shot which Bartosz Bialkowski saved, Spence eventually turning behind as referee Madley awarded a freekick to the Blues for a foul.

McGoldrick found some space on the right of the Preston area a minute later but his strike was deflected behind.

On 17 Preston keeper Chris Maxwell almost presented a golden opportunity to Celina on the edge of his box when he tapped the ball further in front of him than he intended as he looked to kick clear but recovered before the Kosovan international could reach it.

The first 20 minutes were a rather stop-start scruffy affair with a number of interruptions as players suffered head injuries with referee Madley generally over-fussy, although Preston striker Hugill was lucky to avoid a yellow card for a series of fouls on Webster.

However, the former Port Vale man’s luck ran out on 23 when he pulled Webster over once again on the edge of the Town box.

The Blues began to get on top of what had been an evenly balanced game and in the 25th minute they had the ball in the net.

Celina cut in from the left and crossed to Garner, who was in an offside position on the right of the area. The former PNE man hit a shot across goal which McGoldrick turned in at the far post with the flag having already been raised. The Ireland international was subsequently booked for kicking the ball away in frustration.

A further injury break followed soon afterwards with Skuse having picked up a knock on the edge of the Town box and Garner and Lilywhites skipper Paul Huntington clashing heads in the centre circle.

After briefly trying to continue Skuse made his way off on the half hour with Bru replacing him in the centre of midfield.

After another scruffy period the Blues again began to gain the ascendency as the half moved towards its final 10 minutes, McGoldrick almost pulling off a clever turn as he took down a 34th minute Knudsen cross from the left.

But another stoppage soon followed, Preston’s Darnell Fisher eventually coming off and Marnick Vermijl replacing him at right-back.

Town’s most fluent passing move of the half yielded a freekick 25 yards out as the half moved into five minutes of injury time - which seemed conservative given all the stoppages - Bru and McGoldrick having combined before Waghorn was tripped by John Welsh, who was booked.

Waghorn got the nod ahead of Celina, perhaps surprisingly given the on-loan Manchester City man’s brilliant strike at Burton last week, but the summer signing from Rangers proved himself equally adept at set pieces, curling the ball around what looked to be a poorly placed Preston wall and into the net, the Town number nine’s eighth goal of the season.

The visitors came close to an equaliser moments before the whistle, Daniel Johnson bringing the ball in from the right before hitting a shot which scuffed the top of the bar.

Given the constant stoppages, the half had unsurprisingly been very disjointed. As soon as the game started to flow, it was again brought to a halt.

Town had looked to go long far too often with the goal indirectly coming from their best passage of play of the period.

It was a half which desperately needed Waghorn’s goal, Town’s top scorer making the most of Preston’s lack of organisation for the freekick to give the Blues a lead which saw the players applauded off at the break despite what overall was a less than engaging first 45 minutes.

Four minutes after the restart, the Blues doubled their lead. Bru showed composure on the ball on the edge of the box before feeding Spence in space on the right from where the former West Ham man whipped over a deep cross to the far post and McGoldrick rose above Vermijl to nod his seventh of the season past Maxwell.

Having gone two goals in front, the Blues began to look a far more confident side and in the 51st minute Spence crossed from the right, Bru flicked on and Knudsen headed wide at the far post, the Dane clearly feeling he should have done better.

Four minutes later, McGoldrick deftly played in Connolly on the left of the area, the loanee lobbing the advancing Maxwell, but the ball was cleared from the line and away from the breaking Bru by Preston defender Kevin O’Connor, who was making his first Championship start.

At the other end, Tom Barkhuizen first shot wide from an angle on the left then straight at Bialkowski from a more central position.

But the second half had been almost all Town and on 59 Waghorn’s cross from the right was cleared to Knudsen, whose powerful shot from the 18-yard line scraped the top of the bar.

Six minutes later, the Blues made it 3-0 with the goal of the afternoon. Spence and Celina exchanged passes deep inside the Town half after a Preston attack had broken down, the Kosovo international sending the right-back away at pace. Spence returned the ball to Celina, who had continued his run, and, with everyone anticipating a cross, the loanee smashed his sixth goal for Town into the roof of the net.

FINISH! @BersantCelina makes it 3 in a week for @Official_ITFC.

➡️ @EFL highlights from 9pm on @channel5_tv. pic.twitter.com/D69bT5gQFg– Channel 5 Sport (@Channel5Sport) November 4, 2017

There was no repeat of last week’s shirt throwing, instead he celebrated with a fan in the front row of the Cobbold Stand.

Connolly was warmly applauded off as Grant Ward replaced him in the Town midfield in the 66th minute, before McGoldrick shot not too far wide from well outside the area to the left. On 70 Paul Gallagher took over from Welsh for Preston.

Hugill headed over or the visitors on 72 and and 74, then a minute later was fortunate not to see a second yellow card when he jumped into Webster, appearing to catch the Town defender with an elbow.

Three minutes later, Waghorn was replaced by Tristan Nydam, the first goalscorer receiving a warm ovation from the Blues support as he made his way to the touchline and then down the tunnel.

After Preston’s Pearson had been booked for dissent, McGoldrick shot through to Maxwell on 85 with the Blues seeing out the final minutes confidently.

As the game moved into three minutes of injury time Hugill beat the Town offside trap on the left before cutting in and hitting a shot which Bialkowski saved.

But a Preston comeback had never looked on and the Blues saw out the final moments to beat a side in the top half of the table for the first time this season.

After scoring the goals either side of the break, the win was never really in question and Town might have added more than Celina’s brilliant strike to their total.

The Blues have now gone 15 games at the start of a season without a draw for the first time in the club's history, beating a record of 14 established in the 1954/55 campaign. Overall Town haven't drawn for 22 matches with the club record 26.

The victory, Town’s fifth at home this season, sees the Blues up to seventh, just a point off the play-offs, going into the international break.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Webster, Knudsen, Skuse (Bru 31), Connolly (Ward 66), Waghorn (Nydam 78), McGoldrick, Celina, Garner. Unused: Gerken, Iorfa, Sears, Kenlock.

Preston: Maxwell, Fisher (Vermijl 37), Huntington (c), Boyle, O’Connor, Welsh (Gallagher 70, Barkhuizen, Pearson, Browne, Johnson (Harrop 63), Hugill. Unused: Hudson, Horgan, Harrop Gallagher, Mavididi, Robinson. Referee: Andy Madley (West Yorkshire). 14,390 (Preston: 435).

Photo: Action Images

Geddis78 added 19:39 - Nov 4 I really don't care who the manager is, but with the squad we have, I say anyone who gives us a chance of top 6 is doing a good job. No, the football isn't good to watch and sometimes atrocious, but I think we are punching above our weight this season. Our style of play isn't entertaining but keeps us in a lot of games and today was typical, riding our luck at the beginning but taking our chances. Can't believe people are saying Preston were poor. That isn't true and they passed the ball around really well at times. Something for our fans to think about. The best team I have seen this year are Fulham. And we are currently above them. Perhaps things aren't quite as bad as they sound on this forum.

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Spanishblueblood added 19:40 - Nov 4 At the end of the day, we all know full well that next game MM will probably drop Celina and Waghorn, cant have the fans getting their wish! Nothing changes Mick Out!
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BrettenhamBlue added 20:28 - Nov 4 Good result and congratulations to the team. Can't find any info this week about who got the real MOTM Award. Guess it was one of Spence, Celina or Waghorn? Norwich have had nothing but defeats since beating us in the derby. Not what normally happens after a derby won. Good to see their implosion, was expecting the reverse. Who would have thought we'd be in 7th at this stage pre-season?

3

Karlosfandangal added 20:50 - Nov 4 Nice to see you look at the negative stats TimmyH......maybe be bottom 3 for shots at goals but joint second for goals scored in the Championship.......sorry as I said not a true Town fan as I look at the positive in my team
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LWNR2013 added 21:10 - Nov 4 Bang on target for 73 points .. Timmy, I apologise in advance, but did you watch it on the radio?
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Cloddyseedbed added 21:28 - Nov 4 Could easily have gone home at half time. Amount of head injuries in the 1st half I thought they would all come out wearing crash helmets 2nd half. Ball constantly booted long by both teams and neither getting anywhere, neither could string any passes together. 2 poor sides and appalling football. 2nd half totally different, was it because Skuse had left the field? More energetic play, passing and moving with all the passion that had been missing from the 1st half. Defense played well, forwards were a constant menace with goal threats but who are our best midfielders available? In the 1st half they were invisible. When we try to be more pleasing to the eye and pass and move we look good. We can do it when the bl**dy defensive shackles come off. All this negative, defensive 1st half crap is boring and uncalled for. We have the players to hurt teams, use them to their strengths and get the crowd back on side. 1st half crap. 2nd half entertaining. Never sure what team will turn up, so inconsistent. Preston were poor but a good result, 3 goals and a clean sheet. Seems MM can fit Celina in his team now, with ease.

15

heathen66 added 21:32 - Nov 4 Just wanted to add a special mention to Webster who again showed what a class act he is / will be. Took a few whacks on and off the ball from Hugill but stood up to the task well and in the end really shone brightly
11

shakytown added 22:11 - Nov 4 Did not see the game but I would like to know if Skuse going off made the difference and how did Bru play in his place????
1

warktheline added 22:13 - Nov 4 If you put the game in context then home 3 points looked the likely outcome. Nonetheless pleased with another win, accumulating points is the name of the game. Absolutely no chance of making playoffs unless a multiple of unforeseen undertakings occur! Can't blame posts for dreaming !
1

BlueArrow added 23:04 - Nov 4 @ PJewellisaGod if you click on fixtures on TWTD taskbar they show all previous results players goal scorers and motm. It was Waggon today
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BlueArrow added 23:06 - Nov 4 Or Waghorn even hic drink up
3

Minneapolis_ITFC added 01:21 - Nov 5 Let's get straight to the positives. A comprehensive home victory and the opposition did not breach our defense. Seems something of an improved performance also from recent weeks even if the first period was perhaps lackluster if reports are accurate. Norwich had a loss, we got a win : hell just about anybody would have taken that before start of play if offered. However, it does not change opinion in wishing both Marcus Evans and McCarthy away from the club. Pleased for what occurred out there today but must address the bigger picture : these two individuals will present more problems than they can ever hope to resolve. If only we were consistent enough and with the right selected squad members, we could hope to challenge, but there at least was some encouragement to take from today's action.

3

BrettenhamBlue added 01:46 - Nov 5 blue arrow; Thanks but not looking for our rated MOM. More who got the bottle of champagne and sponsors man of the match. Normally goes up on main site but can see no sign of it, a couple of friends said it was Spence but can see no evidence yet.
0

Swn98 added 07:31 - Nov 5 ITFCCHORRY why don't you write something positive about the club game instead of digging out supporters?
2

RegencyBlue added 08:46 - Nov 5 First half was dreadful from both sides and a referee who seemed to think he had to blow his whistle every 30 seconds! Two goals either side of half time and Preston's heads went down allowing us to take full advantage. A good second half performance and a welcome three points were the positives but the downside for me was the attendance. Anyone who thinks there were anywhere near 14000 in PR yesterday is kidding themselves.

1

Rensham added 09:13 - Nov 5 Three goals from three in form strikers. That is a difference from last year. This isn't boring football and with strikers scoring goals we have a chance of top six. Pity the fans. the third pillar of the holy trinity cant get behind the club and team and play their part this season.
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Steelmonkey added 09:14 - Nov 5 Not a pretty first half to watch, another inadequate referee to grace PR. I've never been a Skuse fan, but what a difference he made to the side after he had gone off. If my memory serves me right when this has happened in previous games we have usually gone on to win the game comfortably. Food for thought MM. A good three points earned, well done.
2

rachelsdad added 10:17 - Nov 5 not the best of games,particularly first half,but three good goals ,three points and up to seventh things could be much worse considering we are without Dozell,Huws,Adeymi,Bishop and now Skuse is down.Thats is the heart of any midfield.Thought that Webster is looking better each game and waghorn was everywhere until late on when he took a knock.Downside for me attendance and atmosphere,quiet in the north stand where i sit.Things to look forward to is a fit midfield and more goals from Celina.

4

TimmyH added 10:21 - Nov 5 Let's be honest with our 'win/lose' form we could quite easily be 6th or as low as 14th as there are only 4 points separating those places!!!!...it shows you just how many teams are similar to each other. Any team out of those lot that goes on a run can quite easily find themselves catapulted into the top 4. So to say we're only 1 point off play-offs can be similarly attributed to teams like Sheff Wednesday (2 points) Norwich (3 points) and even a bog average QPR (4 points) all teams stuttering, Even Without our rather fortuitous start I still fancy we'd only be 13th/14th and a few points of the play-offs. Will be interesting to see if we can put another mini run together but I fancy we won't be repeating that this season.

-1

Seasider added 10:31 - Nov 5 A comfortable win;but for much of the first half far too much hoof,cutting out the mid- field. This seemed to change though once Skuse had to go off.Connolly looked an adequate replacement for Skuse;whilst Kevin Bru gave fluidity to the midfield when he came on for Skuse. The front players are however the trump card this season with Waghorn a natural goalscorer,Didsy class,as is Bersant who adds pace which has been lacking,who like McGoldrick are very good players with natural ability and control. Finally the back four who looked far more comfortable than of late, although this could partly be the inadequacy of the injury hit opposition.Webster looks a stand out centre back;but Mick seems to have coached the ball playing out from the back player we saw when he first came here.Pity !!! Not forgetting the ever reliable Bart who I am sure was pleased to keep a clean sheet. A very pleasant change,and with Huws and Adeyemi still to return;but Skuse should not come back automatically as he was not missed,far from it.

8

hello66 added 11:14 - Nov 5 Its really simple the town fan will come back when there are being entertained again! Suffolk show costs just over £20 each for a day of fun with the family, a ticket to watch this managers kind of football, better off watching clouds going by on a windy day ! I don't dislike anyone, but this guy gets under my skin, to the point, was Roy Kean right to leave a dressing room ? ( And that's saying something for me to agree with Roy !) Anyway rumbling on .....when his gone I will be one of the ones that come back !

9

grumpyoldman added 11:39 - Nov 5 LWNR2013 hate to burst your bubble but winning half and losing the other half will get 69 points which has not been enough for the playoffs recently. Clutching at straws come to mind
5

BlueArrow added 19:25 - Nov 5 Oh right soz didn't realise you could have more than one MOTM lol 😁
0

dirtydingusmagee added 17:52 - Nov 6 didn't go,didnt listen been away, so pleasant surprise to see the score , good 3 points, only down side e it screwed my prediction up so Mick out .....lol.
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