Preston manager Alex Neil explains why Leeds were lucky

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Preston North End manager Alex Neil has been quoted by Lancashire Live as saying that Leeds United were fortunate to earn a 2-0 win over his side at Deepdale on Tuesday night.

Leeds bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Birmingham City on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over the Lilywhites. Patrick Bamford ushered aside his critics to score a superb second-half brace.

Preston went down to 10 men before Bamford scored his first and although Leeds had dominated prior to Ben Pearson’s red card, the Whites did get a boost from the numerical advantage.

But Neil went as far as saying Leeds were fortunate to win 2-0 and regain second place in the Championship, also discussing Bamford’s goals which included a left-footed strike from 20 yards and a header.

“The first goal is one mistake from us and a bit of fortune for them,” Neil said. “DJ [Daniel Johnson] plays a square pass straight off the pitch which is poor.

“Then their lad plays a pass, Alan (Browne) goes in for a tackle, he hits it off their player and it rebounds into Patrick Bamford’s path and he shifts his feet and it is a fantastic finish from him.

“At that point it is difficult for us, naturally we went to try and search for the next goal and unfortunately the second goal kills the game.”

TBR’s view

Though Leeds had failed to score prior to Preston’s red card, the Whites were always going to win the match. They had dominated possession and had numerous chances.

The momentum was all in Leeds favour and the red card to Pearson was a sign of that. But had the midfielder remained on the pitch, the likelihood is that Leeds would have made the breakthrough eventually.