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Preston North End 1 v 0 Ipswich Town
EFL Championship
Saturday, 23rd August 2025 Kick-off 15:00
Preston North End 1-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 23rd Aug 2025 17:06

Milutin Osmajic’s 11th-minute penalty saw Preston North End to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Deepdale. Jacob Greaves was adjudged to have fouled the Lilywhites striker with Town subsequently dominating possession while unable to take the handful of chances they created.

The Blues were unchanged from last week’s 1-1 home draw with Southampton with Alex Palmer continuing in goal behind a back four of, from the right, Ben Johnson, skipper Dara O’Shea, Jacob Greaves and Leif Davis.

Jack Taylor and Azor Matusiwa were the midfield pairing behind Jack Clarke on the right, Sammie Szmodics in the middle and Jaden Philogene on the left. George Hirst was making his 50th Town start as the number nine.

Kasey McAteer who signed from Leicester yesterday, was on the bench at Deepdale for the second week running having been an 86th-minute sub in the Foxes’ 2-1 defeat to the Lilywhites last Saturday.

Chuba Akpom was among the Blues’ subs for the first time since joining the club on loan from Ajax earlier in the month.

Preston also named an unchanged side following their victory over the Foxes with neither ex-Blues Will Keane, who is injured, or Dai Cornell in their 20-man squad.

Town, in their all red second strip, struck the game’s first shot after just a minute, Philogene winning a tackle not far outside the home side’s area then, after briefly losing control himself, looping an effort well wide.

But after that, the Blues struggled to make much headway going forward with Preston quickly winning the ball back - or possession surrendered cheaply - whenever Town sought to make forays forward.

The Lilywhites caused a few more problems at the other end, Greaves cutting out a dangerous Thierry Small cross from the left.

On nine, Davis brought the ball forward to the edge of the area with a defender hanging off him and shot over but with referee Matthew Donohue surprisingly opting not to award a free-kick.

A minute later, Town had an even bigger reason to be irked with the referee when he awarded the home side a penalty.

The Blues had struggled to get a bouncing ball out of their box and as the grounded Greaves attempted to clear, Osmajic went to ground. Referee Donohue pointed straight to the spot with the Town players protesting at length.

Osmajic took the kick himself, Palmer diving to his right and the ball going to his left and into the net, the Montenegrin’s third goal in three Championship games this season.

The goal meant Town have now gone 22 games without keeping a clean sheet, tying a club record from 1954/55.

The Blues started to take control but with too many passes still going astray. On the quarter hour, Davis did well on the left and crossed low towards Hirst, but Lewis Gibson got in ahead of the Town number nine to clear.


On 21, after a spell of possession, if not always the most composed, Johnson struck a powerful effort from the edge of the box past home keeper Daniel Iversen’s left post.

Two minutes later, Clarke was found wide on the right, brought the ball forward into the area and hit a cross-shot which was cleared.

Town had reacted well to going behind with their 4,000-plus fans giving their their full backing.

In the 26th minute, Philogene brought the ball inside from the left with two defenders hanging onto him and was eventually brought down but having had the opportunity to pass to Szmodics or Clarke, who were in the clear inside the box. Andrew Hughes was shown the game’s first yellow card.

Town continued to see most of the ball with Preston happy to sit back on their lead and look for breaks. On 36, Matusiwa was dispossessed on the Town right and Greaves was forced to step across to intercept a ball forward for Michael Smith.

Four minutes later, Clarke wafted over a superb cross from the right which beat Gibson and reached Hirst behind him. However, with the ball bouncing just in front of him, the Scotland international sent the ball well into the stand.

Johnson was shown Town’s first yellow card of the game on 41 for clipping Osmajic on the Preston left.

As the half moved into two minutes of injury Szmodics crossed towards Hirst. The striker was unable to get a clean touch on the ball and Clarke momentarily looked like he might get on it until Iversen claimed.

Aside from Pol Valentin being booked for a foul on Philogene, that was the last action the half.

Having gone behind to the early penalty, the Blues dominated possession without carving out a clear-cut chance, Hirst’s effort from Clarke’s cross having been the best opportunity.

Once in front, Preston had been content to sit back and catch Town on breaks, trying to make the most of the Blues’ tendency to give the ball away before getting to the danger zone.

Three minutes after the restart, Clarke was sent away on the right and made a first-time pass to Philogene breaking down the middle, but the England U21 international had strayed well offside. Much to the home fans’ amusement, the former Aston Villa man additionally sent his low shot wide.

Philogene was tripped just outside the area to the left in the 53rd minute, Clarke hitting the free-kick into the wall and Johnson’s subsequent volley deflecting wide. Following the resultant corner, the ball appeared to strike a Preston hand but the linesman’s waved flag only indicated a Town offside.

As the hour-mark approached, Johnson shot over from the edge after the ball had broken to him, then Szmodics seized on an error in the Preston defence but his effort at goal from a tight angle on the right was blocked.

The Blues were looking increasingly threatening and in the 62nd minute their slickest move of the game saw Hirst cleverly lay the ball into the path of Clarke breaking into the right of the box but somehow Small managed to stab it behind for a corner, his teammates showing their appreciation.

In the 66th minute Town made a triple change, Conor Chaplin, debutant McAteer and Ashley Young replacing Philogene, Clarke and Johnson. Szmodics moved to the left with Chaplin taking his usual number 10 role.

McAteer’s first action in a Blues shirt was to win a corner, which Iversen spilled and Greaves stabbed at at the far post with the ball appearing to be on its way wide when it was cleared.

The new signing had an opportunity to make himself some debut headlines in the 71st minute when Matusiwa’s excellent pass played in Szmodics. A defender’s toe stabbed it away from the forward, who still looks a little off full sharpness, and fell to McAteer, but his shot flew well over.

Preston made a treble change of their own a minute later, Daniel Jebbison, Odeluga Offiah and Stefan Thordarson replacing Smith, Valentin and Alfie Devine.

Town made their final two changes on 77 Szmodics, who had been booed throughout for his Blackburn connections, and Matusiwa, who had had by far his most influential game for the Blues, making way for debutant Akpom and Jens Cajuste. Preston switched Hughes for Liam Lindsay.

Goalscorer Osmajic was booked in the 82nd minute for failing to retreat as Town prepared to take a goal-kick.

Moments later, Small threw himself to ground holding his face as he saw the ball out ahead of McAteer, the home fans baying for a red card. Referee Donohue eventually booked McAteer and then Small, much to the delight of the Town support, who clearly felt the Preston left wing-back was trying to get the Blues debutant sent off. Small was subbed two minutes later, Andrija Vukcevic taking over.

Town kept pushing for an equaliser as the game moved towards the end of the scheduled 90, a Blues corner flashing across the area from the left as seven additional minutes were announced.

Four minutes into added time, Preston were unable to clear a free-kick on the right, the ball eventually falling to Jack Taylor on the edge of the area but his shot failed to trouble Iversen, who saved comfortably.

Ali McCann was booked for a foul on Akpom as the new loanee broke forward with Town unable to make anything of the free-kick.

Within a minute, Hirst did well to keep the ball in on the right of the box and played back to Chaplin, but his strike was blocked.

In the dying seconds, Young crossed low from the right towards McAteer, who tried to get Chaplin on the ball but it was eventually cleared and referee Donohue’s whistle brought the game to an end.

Another frustrating afternoon for the Blues, who dominated after going behind but huffed and puffed for the most part in and around the penalty area, while Preston defended resolutely. Aside from the penalty, keeper Palmer didn’t have a save to make.

Even though they were far from fluent, they created a handful of openings but were unable to make the most of them, Hirst’s opportunity in the first half, Philogene straying offside in the early second-half break, Small’s interception ahead of Clarke, McAteer blazing over and Taylor failing to get a clean strike towards the end.

Town’s tough opening to the season is looking tougher having taken only two points from their first three games and now after falling to their first defeat, which leaves them 18th in the early season table.

The Blues, who still have significant transfer business to be done before the window closes, are next in action at home to Derby County next Saturday.

Preston: Iversen, Storey, Gibson, Hughes (Lindsay 78), Valentin (Thordarson 73), Whiteman (c), McCann, Small (Vukcevic 86), Devine (Offiah 73), Smith (Jebbison 73), Osmajic. Unused: Walton, Carroll, Dobbin, Gryba.

Ipswich: Palmer, Johnson (Young 66), O’Shea (c), Greaves, Davis, Matusiwa (Cajuste 77), Taylor, Clarke (McAteer 66), Szmodics (Akpom 77), Philogene (Chaplin 66), Hirst. Unused: Walton, Young, Woolfenden, Kipre, Ogbene. Referee: Matthew Donohue (Manchester).


Photo: Matchday Images



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jas0999 added 17:23 - Aug 23
Favourites to win the league, yet as others have said, two points from the first three games and dumped out of the cup by a reserve League two team. Our two league goals have been a penalty and an own goal. This is simply unacceptable. No getting away from it, there can be no excuse.

KM must now surely be under extremely pressure? Start to this season is awful and unacceptable. Four lousy shots on target so far this season.

Today was terrible. Nowhere near good enough with the supposed talent we had on the pitch, but KMs poor tactics and now inability to win football matches is a huge concern.

Clearly need some exceptional signings this week. Ashton certainly not devoid of blame here. It’s ridiculous we still need to do so much after four games. We were ill prepared to start the season, with the focus quite clearly on player sales.

Nine straight home defeats last season. Failing to win in four this season. Maybe acceptable to others, but for me, it’s nowhere near good enough.

Need a first choice striker - someone who can score goals ASAP. Should have replaced Delap before now.
21

JPR77 added 17:24 - Aug 23
It’s very worrying KMK won’t adjust the set up. Does he know how too? We were impotent against Birmingham and to stick with the same formation and players and patterns of play since is just baffling. Absolutely love the fella so hope he or results change soon because people’s patient is beginning to run out.
9

Bluewhiteboy added 17:28 - Aug 23
People saying it's ok as it's a brand new team, 9 of the 11 starters where he last season! Take your rose tinted glasses off.

Do I think we will battling relegation for the rest of season, no. But judging by the 3 home games and loss to bromley in the cup absolutely no where near promotion either.
Most on here thought we were walking the league this season, and I got stick for saying if expected us to finish in playoffs. I would snap someone's hand off for that now
9

Karlosfandangal added 17:29 - Aug 23
Hopefully Akpom Cajuste McAteer will start next week…….think we need a new number nine who scores goals…….hirst hold up play is good but Town need goals
10

nannageddon added 17:29 - Aug 23
Why do people talk about team needing to gel, the majority of the starting line up been with us for a year or more. Really poor, team going backwards. Mckenna supposed to be a top coach, but more recent signings under him have all regressed as players.... not a good look
12

Suffolkboy added 17:30 - Aug 23
Sure there’s a problem: it’s the usual failures in the opposition penalty box ! We’ve seen it before and also found our way out ; BUT ITFC almost desperately need to conclude some successful transfers bringing in forwards/ midfielders who have the hunger and drive to put theball in the net !
Is it a man management chalkege, or do we not have the technical capacity ?
MA and KM must come up with answers asap .
COYB
7

Flamencaman added 17:31 - Aug 23
Missing Sammy at the minute what looks like a lightweight attack in the final third and a weak midfield but what do I know role on October we’ll see the tables don’t lie
4

bignics added 17:31 - Aug 23
Wait for the keep the faith and trust the process comments….. kMC needs to go and go now he is in fact useless as a manager and if you disagree with me tell me what Kmc plan b or c Is?! He only knows one formation and one system and gas learnt absolutely nothing from last years shocking season somehow he is deluded enough to think he is a decent manager. 70% plus possession but it doesn’t matter everyone knows how to play against us and we have no one to convert chances. Players like szmodics has had his ability coached out of him by Kmc ball.
9

Bluearmy_81 added 17:31 - Aug 23
Went and that was a disgrace. Sort it McK you are on borrowed time
12

londontractorboy57 added 17:32 - Aug 23
Bluebores Christmas come early.
-6

BlueDread added 17:32 - Aug 23
Our Div 1 promotion side would demolish this current team.
13

BeachBlue added 17:33 - Aug 23
Our tactics have to change. Possession doesn't mean anything if you're not scoring, getting shots on target or creating. Passing the ball around your own halves while the opposition has a breather, is no good to anyone. Why do we insist on slow, slow build up play? Why can't we take the game by the scruff of the neck and attack teams?
10

terryf added 17:34 - Aug 23
Tells its own story of the season to date.
Three games in and very little created.
Sadly the Team looks disjointed at the moment and we seem to be fitting players into Team.
Actually I say Team but to be honest we look like a bunch of strangers with some players also not fully fit.
You really have to question the recruitment here.
Hopefully we can sort it out before other Teams are out of sight.
To recap we only lost 6 matches in the Championship last time around.
10

wewerefamous added 17:35 - Aug 23
Absolute horse dollop!…. Looking forward to the 5 hour drive home!!!
5

grinch added 17:38 - Aug 23
Need to look at record since September 24 appalling MK needs replacing now as he is not as people say a top coach he inhereted a team with cohesion but his failings are showing each week. Luton are an example of what might happen. He got praise for early years but now as in any job appalling 4 shots on target this season playing individuals out of nirmal place which makes them look bad no it is the nanager playing wrong system for those players. We need to change before it is to late appalling 2025 savk him now please he had good payment for orevoous now be ruthless before its to late
5

chepstowblue added 17:39 - Aug 23
We look a very miserable, very ordinary, uninspiring, toothless, championship side. Without Delap and Hutchinson weve lost the X-factor, and with our best centre half now at Swansea we'll always look fragile. Paying the price for doing our summer business far too late and expecting them to settle in too quickly. By the time they do it'll be too late, and it's very debatable that the quality is there to do so anyway. A desperate watch so far.
12

elthamblue added 17:40 - Aug 23
For the first time in a while, I’m concerned that things aren’t that harmonious behind the scenes. When MA said to KMc “are you all in”, I’m wondering whether KMc responded with the same question, as he’s not being given the right quality of player in the required timeframe.

It’s not acceptable to sell our best players and replace them with inferior quality. Our recruitment strategy/team seems to be deteriorating rather than improving. People are saying KMc needs to look at himself, but I think it’s MA that needs to self reflect. It must be so demoralising for a manager to lose Omari Hutchinson, Liam Delap, Nathan Broadhead, Axel Tuanzebe and Cameron Burgess, and then not be supported in the transfer market by signing adequate replacements.

Hopefully MA has a few transfers up his sleeve, otherwise it’s going to be a long season.
7

KMcBlue added 17:40 - Aug 23
We seem like we are not playing to players strengths for sure... Szmodics electric at Blackburn, similarly Clarke at Sunderland... Looks like Akpom , a striker, will be asked to perform differently too.
5

Nottsblue66 added 17:42 - Aug 23
I’m sorry but McKenna needs to go he has not got a clue anymore
So I think the American owners will not put up with this much longer
We have brought in players who I feel are simply not good enough
7

BlueRuin69 added 17:43 - Aug 23
McKenna out , he has to go, so many mistakes for too long, been found out. Utter dross. Band of Brothers would eat this team for breakfast.
5

bluesissy added 17:46 - Aug 23
Championship favourites....no...best manager in the league...no ...no plan b....yes. laughing stock...yes..3 games..no wins...one goal scored. Time to worry..definitely. poor
5

Bert added 17:46 - Aug 23
Disappointed but not surprised. We have the players but the loss of creative players is starting to show. We should be far better than what we are producing but time will tell.
4

jazzback added 17:49 - Aug 23
Much improved on previous games, but really need a goalscorer. With so much of the ball maybe try 2 up front. Well defended Preston but more points dropped
-4

Broadbent23 added 17:50 - Aug 23
"Too big for our own boots" comes to mind. We have an abundance of talent but we cannot get over the line. Preston did not do a lot today, got the early penalty and then doggidly held us back. Round tactics on a square pitch. There will be moaners and groaners but we have to hold on to our playing principles and support our team.Next game KMc conjure up a win.
-1

gippeswyk added 17:50 - Aug 23
Very frustrating to watch but Town by far the better team. Higher XG, lots more shots and possession. Preston rarely threatened but got a lucky early penalty to hang on to for 90 mins. Credit to them, they were well organised. The reason Town didn't win comfortably was their abysmal shooting. I don't think it's McK's fault there was a complete inability to hit the target or test the keeper when Town had worked themselves into good positions particularly in the second half. Town's record against teams that park the bus hasn't been good for years. McK made attacking changes with Akpom and Hirst on. We need Cajuste to start and for Akpom and McAteer to come good and quickly.
-2


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