Ryan Lowe was pleased to see Preston edge a “great battle” against a Plymouth side managed by his former assistant Steven Schumacher.
North End returned to the top of the Championship thanks to Duane Holmes’ opener after just 38 seconds and a second goal before half-time from debutant Liam Millar.
Schumacher, who succeeded Lowe at Home Park after working as his number two, changed things around at half-time and Ryan Hardie pulled one back for the visitors.
In an end-to-end encounter Argyle could have scored more, while Brad Potts hit a post for the hosts with 20 minutes to go.
“The lads put everything on the line to make sure they came away with the three points,” Lowe said.
“In the first half we were well worthy of the two goals. We came out with a really fast start and the second half was always going to be tough.
“Fair play to Plymouth, they changed a few things round and brought a lot of subs on and had a good go.
“They got one back, but our lads put their bodies on the line and caught everything in passes and tackles.
“It was good for me and the coaches because we were thinking all the time, and I know Shuey will have been, so it was a great battle.
“We knew they were going to have large parts of the ball, we didn’t do as well as we would have liked in the second half.
“It could have been 4-4 or 5-5 there were that many chances, we both did the right thing and tried to win a game of football.”
The two bosses shared a warm embrace ahead of kick-off as they geared up for their first clash as rival managers.
The action got off to an explosive start as Millar darted down the left, Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard could not hold his cross and Holmes charged in and headed home the loose ball.
Montenegro international Milutin Osmajic then expertly played in Millar, who side-stepped a defender before coolly slotting past Hazard to make it 2-0.
Argyle went on to dominate the remainder of the first period, with Kaine Kesler-Hayden missing their best chance to halve the deficit, firing straight at Freddie Woodman after being played in.
Finn Azaz and Morgan Whittaker threatened early in the second half for Argyle before Luke Cundle played in Hardie for a deserved goal.
But it was Preston who finished the stronger as Osmajic was denied by Hazard before Potts struck the woodwork, leaving Schumacher to rue a missed opportunity.
He said: “I am disappointed to lose the game.
“I didn’t feel that we deserved to lose, but we’ve come away from home again and played really well and caused the top-of-the-table team loads of problems.
“I am also proud and pleased with the players’ performance because we were brave.
“Even after going 1-0 down we kept playing and we were more than game for them.
“I don’t know if Preston would have had any other games this season where the opposition created so many chances, so credit to Ryan and his staff in getting them organised and getting people in the way.
“They block shots, they block crosses and they put their bodies on the line and their goalkeeper is a top goalie.
“If we believe that we can continue to play in this way and creating opportunities, then our first win away from home won’t be far away.”
Fabrizio Romano reports on his YouTube channel that in recent hours there have been new conversations between Arsenal and Noni Madueke's camp.Romano adds that he believes Madueke could be open to the transfer, given this second round of talks. If the winger had no interest in the move, presumably his camp would have shut things down immediately.The journalist clarifies that this doesn't mean Madue...
Catalan publication Sport claims that the Blues are "willing" to pay €40m (£34m) for the young Spaniard, who has caught the eye with his performances at the Club World Cup.Garcia has scored 3 goals in 4 appearances, including the winner against Juventus in the last 16 earlier this week.Even so, Real may be open to selling the 21-year-old, but Sport suggest they may want to include a buy...
Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi remain in negotiations to extend the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract beyond the end of 2025, a source told ESPN.Despite recent reports linking Messi to clubs in other leagues, both Inter Miami and the Argentine captain remain interested in continuing their relationship on the field.Messi signed with Inter Miami in July 2023 on a two-and-a-half year Designat...
Szczesny poised to extend Barcelona stay with new dealBarcelona are on the verge of securing a contract extension with experienced goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who is expected to sign a new two-year deal, sources told ESPN.Szczesny had previously acknowledged receiving an offer from Barca in May but requested some more time to evaluate his future. The Polish international has now decided to commi...
Chelsea take on Palmeiras in the quarter-finalsChelsea manager Enzo Maresca has tempered expectations ahead of Friday’s FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras, stating that ‘football is full of surprises’.The Premier League side secured their place in this stage by defeating Portuguese giants Benfica, while Abel Ferreira’s team overcame Brazilian rivals Botafog...
REVEALED: Agents almost wrecked David's dream Juventus moveJonathan David pushed his agents to accept a major cut on their commission to seal his move to Juventus.In Turin today for his Juve medical, there was a danger of the move collapsing due to the demands of David's agents.A free agent from Lille, David's agents wanted a massive €25m to place the player at his next club, says Tuttosport...
Forest to bid for Leicester defender Kristiansen linked with Roma and EvertonNottingham Forest are said to be keen on Leicester City defender Victor Kristiansen this summer despite interest from other clubs.Leicester were relegated from the Premier League last season, having only gained promotion the year before and will be hoping to keep the squad together ahead of the new campaign where the Foxe...
Five Man Utd stars ask to leave including Rashford, Antony, Garnacho and SanchoFive Manchester United stars have informed the club that they wish to leave this summer after much transfer speculation.After the club’s worst season in history which saw United finish 15th in the Premier League, get knocked out of both domestic cups, and be beaten by Tottenham in the Europa League final, five pla...
Garnacho intends to stay in the Premier League after Man Utd departureAlejandro Garnacho has informed Manchester United that he wishes to leave the side this summer as he hopes to join another Premier League club.Garnacho was told he could leave United in May after complaining he was only on the bench for the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. He, as well as Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford, ...
Fluminense's Hercules scores his team's second goal in the Club World Cup 2025 quarter-final against Al Hilal.Fluminense vs Al Hilal was the Club World Cup quarter-final match-up that no one could've predicted ahead of their fixtures against Internazionale and Manchester City respectively.Often referred to as 'the beautiful game,' football has a habit of upsetting the status quo and writing altern...
- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Inside jet-setting England star Dominic Solanke's honeymoon with wife Erica
- 3 Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World Cup
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Mystery blonde who had night out with Kieran Trippier
- 6 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for
- 7 Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Cristiano Ronaldo to join up with Portuguese boss at Al-Nassr
- 10 Coleen Rooney eclipses husband Wayne as main breadwinner