Preston North End secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Middlesbrough in their Championship encounter at Deepdale on January 25, 2025. The home side demonstrated resilience and tactical awareness to overcome their opponents in front of 18,474 spectators. This win marks an important three points for Preston in their Championship campaign..
Match highlights and goal scorers
The match began with both teams showing attacking intent, but it was Preston who drew first blood. Stefán Thórdarson broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, giving the home side a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
Middlesbrough responded after the break when Daichi Burgzorg found the net in the 52nd minute, leveling the score at 1-1. The equalizer energized the visitors, who began to push forward with greater purpose.
However, Preston regained their lead in the 78th minute through substitute Emil Riis Jakobsen, whose clinical finish proved to be the match-winner. The Danish striker’s impact off the bench ultimately made the difference in this tightly contested affair.
Preston’s tactical approach
Preston North End manager opted for a balanced starting lineup, with captain Alan McCann leading the team from midfield. The selection of Milutin Osmajic and Mads Frökjaer-Jensen in attack provided the necessary offensive threat.
The home side’s tactical discipline was evident throughout the match, particularly in how they managed the game after taking the lead for the second time. Key performers included:
- Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who made several crucial saves
- Defender Liam Gibson, who helped contain Middlesbrough’s attacking threats
- Midfielder Stefán Thórdarson, who not only scored but contributed significantly to Preston’s build-up play
- Substitute Emil Riis Jakobsen, whose match-winning goal demonstrated his clinical finishing ability
Recent history between the sides
This victory represents a shift in momentum for Preston against Middlesbrough this season. The teams previously met in September 2024, playing out a 1-1 draw at the Riverside Stadium.
The head-to-head record between these two Championship sides has been closely contested in recent seasons. This latest encounter continues the trend of competitive matches between Preston North End and Middlesbrough, with neither team able to establish clear dominance over the other.
Implications for both teams
The win strengthens Preston No rth End’s position in the Championship table, providing valuable momentum as they continue their campaign. For the home supporters at Deepdale, this victory against a strong Middlesbrough side will boost confidence in the team’s abilities.
Middlesbrough will be disappointed to leave Lancashire empty-handed after equalizing in the second half. Daichi Burgzorg’s goal ultimately proved insufficient as they failed to contain Preston’s attacking threats for the full ninety minutes.
The result demonstrates the competitive nature of the Championship, where margins between success and failure remain extremely tight. Both teams showed quality throughout the match, but Preston’s clinical finishing ultimately made the difference.