Preston North End pulled off a dramatic victory over Premier League side Fulham in the Carabao Cup after an astonishing 16-15 penalty shoot-out win, with Ryan Ledson scoring the decisive spot-kick. The match, which ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, saw both teams deliver a flawless series of penalties before the tension finally cracked in a rare and nerve-shredding shoot-out.
A Match of Two Halves
Preston came into the match as underdogs, facing a Fulham side with more top-flight experience. Fulham struggled to break through Preston’s disciplined defense, with goalkeeper Freddie Woodman making several crucial saves to deny the London club.
Ryan Ledson’s goal came from a well-worked team move, as Preston pressed high and forced an error in Fulham’s midfield. The goal gave Preston belief, and they managed to hold off Fulham’s response for much of the first half.
However, Fulham’s quality began to show after the break, and they started to create more chances. Reiss Nelson, on loan from Arsenal, was the brightest spark for Fulham, and it was his sharp finishing that eventually leveled the score. In the 68th minute, Nelson received a pass on the edge of the box, dribbled past two defenders, and curled a low shot into the far corner, beating Woodman to make it 1-1.
An Unstoppable Shoot-Out
As the game ended level after 90 minutes, it was clear that penalties would be the only way to separate the two sides. What followed was one of the most remarkable penalty shoot-outs in recent memory, as both teams showed remarkable composure and technique under intense pressure.
The first 16 penalties — eight from each side — were all expertly dispatched. Both goalkeepers dived the wrong way on several occasions, while the players, from defenders to midfielders and strikers, struck their efforts with confidence. Fulham’s Harrison Reed and Preston’s Ben Whiteman set the tone by confidently dispatching their first kicks, and their teammates followed suit in this exhibition of penalty-taking prowess.
As the pressure mounted, Preston’s Ryan Ledson, who had scored the opening goal during normal time, stepped up for his spot-kick and slotted it into the corner. Fulham’s players responded with equal precision, keeping the shoot-out neck-and-neck.
The Turning Point
After the first 16 spot-kicks found the back of the net, the tension finally reached a boiling point when Fulham’s Jorge Cuenca had his penalty saved by Freddie Woodman. Cuenca’s shot was hit hard but too central, allowing Woodman to get his body behind the ball and make a crucial stop.
Preston had a golden opportunity to win it there, but Kaine Kesler-Hayden’s attempt was similarly thwarted by Fulham keeper Marek Rodak, who pulled off a brilliant low save to keep the shoot-out alive.
Ultimately, it was fitting that Ryan Ledson, who had opened the scoring in regular time, was the man to take the decisive penalty. After 31 successful spot-kicks between the two teams, it came down to the Preston midfielder to seal the win, and he did so with ice-cold composure.
Preston’s Moment of Glory
For Preston North End, this victory will go down as one of the great moments in the club’s recent history. To take a Premier League team all the way and win in such dramatic circumstances showcased their resilience and belief.
Freddie Woodman, who made the key save to deny Cuenca, was one of Preston’s standout performers, while Ledson’s leadership and quality shone throughout. The victory also earned them a place in the next round of the Carabao Cup, with hopes of continuing their cup run.
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