In a pulsating Championship encounter at Deepdale, Preston North End secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Swansea City, with Thierry Small and Milutin Osmajic emerging as the heroes of the night. The win marked a vital three points for Ryan Lowe’s men, keeping Preston’s promotion hopes alive as they continue to build momentum in what has been a highly competitive season.
For Swansea City, the result was another disappointing chapter in a campaign defined by inconsistency. Despite flashes of attacking flair, the visitors struggled to find rhythm for large portions of the match, undone by defensive lapses and Preston’s relentless energy.
This was not just another league fixture — it was a statement performance from Preston, a display that showcased their blend of youthful ambition, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing. For the 20,000-plus supporters inside Deepdale, the night was one to remember.
A High-Intensity Start at Deepdale
The match kicked off under cool, clear skies, with the home crowd roaring their side into early action. Preston, fielding a slightly rotated lineup, came out pressing high and aggressively. Manager Ryan Lowe had clearly instructed his players to set the tone from the opening whistle, forcing Swansea into uncomfortable positions as they tried to play out from the back.
Swansea, under their new boss, continued their trademark style of possession-based football, attempting to dictate the tempo with short passing exchanges between the back line and midfield. But Preston’s high press, led by Osmajic and Small, immediately caused problems. Within the first ten minutes, Preston had forced three turnovers in dangerous areas, testing goalkeeper Carl Rushworth twice in quick succession.
The breakthrough came in the 17th minute, and it was no surprise that it stemmed from Preston’s pressure and pace.
Thierry Small’s Moment of Brilliance
The opening goal arrived through a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Thierry Small, the young full-back whose performances have increasingly caught the attention of Championship observers. After receiving the ball near the halfway line, Small embarked on a dazzling run down the left flank, shrugging off one challenge and cutting inside past two Swansea defenders. His low, curling shot from just inside the box left Rushworth rooted to the spot as it nestled into the bottom corner.
Deepdale erupted.
It was Small’s first goal for Preston since joining the club, and the celebration that followed reflected the emotion of the moment — fists pumping, teammates swarming, and fans chanting his name.
Speaking after the match, Small described the goal as “a dream come true.”
“I just wanted to make something happen,” he said. “The space opened up, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ I’m just glad it helped the team get the win tonight.”
The goal gave Preston the confidence to continue dominating, and for much of the first half, they dictated play with quick transitions and compact defensive organization. Swansea, meanwhile, struggled to find any real foothold in midfield. Their star forward Jamal Lowe was kept quiet by Preston’s disciplined back line, while winger Josh Key found little joy down the right flank.
Swansea’s Struggles and Preston’s Control
If there was a theme to the first half, it was the difference in intent. Preston played like a side with something to prove; Swansea looked tentative, almost subdued. Their midfield pairing of Jay Fulton and Matt Grimes struggled to impose themselves, and without that control, the Swans’ attacking movements lacked sharpness.
Preston’s midfield trio, led by Ali McCann and Ben Whiteman, won almost every 50-50 ball. Their energy and pressing prevented Swansea from playing through the lines — something that has traditionally been one of the Welsh club’s greatest strengths.
Despite Preston’s dominance, the home side couldn’t find a second goal before halftime. Osmajic came close in the 41st minute, glancing a header just wide after a teasing cross from Brad Potts. Moments later, Duane Holmes forced a fingertip save from Rushworth with a low strike from distance.
The halftime whistle was greeted by applause from the home crowd. Preston led 1-0, and though the scoreline remained close, it was clear who had been the better team.
Swansea’s Response After the Break
Swansea emerged for the second half with renewed energy. Manager Michael Duff made an early tactical adjustment, bringing on Jerry Yates to add more presence up front. The move initially paid dividends, as Swansea began to retain possession more effectively and press higher up the pitch.
In the 53rd minute, they found their equalizer — somewhat against the run of play. A rare lapse in Preston’s defense allowed Jamie Paterson space on the edge of the area, and his low-driven shot deflected off a defender, wrong-footing goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and rolling into the net.
The away section exploded in celebration, and suddenly the match had a different tone. Preston, who had been cruising, now found themselves tested.
Ryan Lowe’s response was immediate. He urged his players to stay calm and composed, encouraging them to reassert control. For a brief ten-minute spell, the game became open and end-to-end — both teams trading attacks, both sets of fans on edge.
Osmajic Restores the Lead
Cometh the hour, cometh Milutin Osmajic.
The Montenegrin forward, who has quickly become a fan favorite since his arrival, struck in the 67th minute with a goal that embodied his work ethic and instinct.
The move began with Ben Whiteman winning the ball in midfield and releasing Brad Potts down the right wing. Potts’ low cross into the box found Osmajic, who took one touch to control and another to fire past Rushworth from close range.
2-1 Preston.
Osmajic sprinted toward the corner flag, pointing to the crest on his shirt as the Deepdale faithful roared their approval. It was his sixth goal of the season — a reflection of his growing importance to Ryan Lowe’s attacking plans.
After the match, Lowe praised the striker’s performance:
“Milutin’s work rate is unbelievable. He doesn’t just score — he sets the tone for how we play. Tonight, he got his reward for the effort he puts in every game.”
The goal deflated Swansea’s momentum. While the visitors tried to push forward, Preston’s defense — marshaled by Liam Lindsay and Jordan Storey — stood firm.
Tactical Masterclass from Ryan Lowe
One of the key talking points from the match was Ryan Lowe’s tactical approach. Known for his flexible, high-energy system, Lowe’s setup effectively nullified Swansea’s passing patterns while allowing Preston to strike quickly in transition.
Lowe’s use of Thierry Small as a wing-back gave Preston width and unpredictability, while the midfield three ensured numerical superiority in the center of the pitch. Swansea’s attempts to play through the middle were repeatedly intercepted, forcing them wide and limiting their attacking options.
Substitutions in the final 20 minutes — including the introduction of Emil Riis Jakobsen and Alan Browne — added fresh legs and composure, helping Preston close out the game efficiently.
Defensively, Lowe’s men showed organization and discipline. Swansea’s late surge, featuring several long balls and corners, was handled comfortably by Freddie Woodman, who commanded his box superbly and made a key save in stoppage time to preserve the victory.
Standout Performances
While Osmajic and Small grabbed the headlines with their goals, Preston’s victory was built on a collective effort.
- Ben Whiteman was exceptional in midfield, controlling the tempo and breaking up play with well-timed tackles. His leadership and calmness under pressure were instrumental in managing Swansea’s second-half push.
- Ali McCann provided relentless energy, covering ground and pressing tirelessly — a perfect foil to Whiteman’s composure.
- Freddie Woodman, facing his former club, had a composed game between the sticks, making two vital saves that could have changed the result.
- And of course, Thierry Small — whose confidence, pace, and attacking flair made him a constant threat down the left — earned man of the match honors.
For Swansea, Jamie Paterson was arguably their standout player, creating several chances and scoring the only goal for his side. However, the team as a whole looked disjointed and struggled to sustain pressure for long periods.
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