Preston power past Stoke City as Devine double proves decisive | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Preston North End beat Stoke City 3-1 at Deepdale in the Championship. In the fourth minute, Sorba Thomas put Stoke City ahead from Junior Tchamadeu's cross. Alfie Devine levelled after a fast break (15.), then Preston flipped it after the restart as Milutin Osmajic headed in from a set piece (57.) before Devine struck again (60.). Both sides posted 13 attempts, but Stoke City's 54.3% possession yielded only two on target as Preston stayed clinical. Preston rise from 17th to 12th and visit Leicester City next, while Stoke City drop from 13th to 14th and host Sheffield Wednesday.

Player of the Match: Alfie Devine decided it with a brace, adding two key passes and 28 accurate passes from 34 to knit Preston's attacks together.

Stat of the Match: Preston won 83.3% of their tackles, a strong defensive base that underpinned the comeback.

Three Things We Learned: Andrew Moran set up the leveller and won three tackles, showing his graft alongside his creativity. Lewis Norman Dobbin registered an assist and made three key passes, supplying the delivery for Osmajic's header. Stoke City delivered 22 crosses and earned nine corners, yet produced only two shots on target, reflecting blunt end product despite 54.3% possession.