Freddie Woodman produced a goalkeeping masterclass but Gabriel Sara’s late winner saw Norwich beat Preston 1-0 at Deepdale to move closer towards securing a coveted play-off place.
The former Newcastle shot-stopper pulled off a string of fine saves but Brazilian midfielder Sara’s 86th-minute strike dented the Lilywhites’ play-off hopes and left the Canaries six points clear of seventh-placed Hull.
Woodman made four excellent saves in the first half alone while the Lilywhites also hit the crossbar but it was Sara’s later intervention which proved crucial.
It was the playmaker’s fifth goal in seven games, with the Canaries having left themselves well-placed to be in the play-off mix with just three games left.
Preston dropped to 10th and are now eight points off sixth place, although they have four games left.
Defender Liam Lindsay went close for the home side in the 13th minute but his header flew narrowly over.
Midfielder Mads Frokjaer forced a fine save from Canaries keeper Angus Gunn not long after as the home side forced the early pace in their quest to further their play-off hopes.
At the other end, Sara picked out Borja Sainz with a fine pass but the Spaniard rifled his powerful volley wide of the target.
Centre-back Jordan Storey was then thwarted from close range by a superb save from Gunn.
But another missed chance nearly cost the home side but for Woodman’s brilliant intervention.
The on-song keeper produced an excellent block to deny Sainz the opener as the visitors found their way back into the contest.
Two minutes later Woodman saved well from Ashley Barnes as the home side found themselves on the back foot.
Sara went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock but again Woodman did well to collect a fizzing 25-yard volley.
Woodman saved again from Sara in first-half stoppage time as the home side were able to get some much-needed respite going into the break.
But that was just before Jack Whatmough thought he had put them ahead on the stroke of half-time, his thundering header having beaten Gunn and crashed into the woodwork.
Sara smashed over the bar after just two minutes of the second half while Sainz’s deflected effort fell fortuitously into the path of Josh Sargent but he lashed across the face of goal.
Kenny McLean fired a powerful shot over the bar as the visitors pushed for a winner and the pressure told with just four minutes left when Sara pounced to win it for the visitors.
Woodman got a hand to the shot but not enough to prevent it going into the far corner.
Midfielder Alan Browne had a shot cleared after a goalmouth scramble as Preston desperately tried to get back on level terms but Sara’s winner was a real sucker-punch to their play-off ambitions.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and striker Rasmus Højlund: two people with uncertain futures next season. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)BILBAO, Spain -- Tottenham Hotspur have won their first trophy since 2008 after beating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final on a tight and tense night in Bilbao.The game was decided by a scruffy goal from Brenn...
Alejandro Garnacho seemed visibly annoyed after being relegated to the bench for Manchester United's Europa League final showdown with Tottenham.Manager Ruben Amorim decided to leave the Argentine winger out of his starting XI, and the player was noticeably late in joining his fellow subs for the pre-match warm-up. Garnacho spent a good 15 minutes on the pitch, still suited up, having a chat with ...
Ruben Amorim spoke out about his future (Image: Getty)Ruben Amorim has offered to forgo any copensation he would be owed if Manchester United bosses decide to sack him this summer. The Red Devils lost the Europa League final 1-0 against Tottenham on Wednesday night.A trophyless season, coupled with United's 16th-place in the Premier League table, has left huge question marks hanging over Amorim's ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today.Liverpool v Crystal Palace next game Tottenham Europa league Champions Winner Arsenal🤝Man City🤝Man Utd 17th-place Spurs took the back door to the Champions League Manchester United's season: Just GOAT Things! "He let Tottenham win a trophy." Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, BleacherReportFootball, originalt...
Liverpool are set to part ways with Darwin Nunez this summer, and the Uruguay striker could be set for a move to Spain, where he previously played with Almeria. And despite interest from a number of clubs, including Serie A leaders Napoli, the likelihood is that La Liga is his most likely destination.Nunez is keen to leave Anfield this summer having had a difficult season under Arne Slot. Liverpoo...
Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in the Europa League final.The Red Devils, who were heavily relying on the Europa League to save their season, suffered defeat against Ange Postecoglou’s side in Bilbao.This defeat makes matters worse for Ruben Amorim and his players next season.They have failed to qualify for the Champions League next season. Not only that, they are not going t...
Arsenal have emerged as contenders to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid after GOAL reported Chelsea are lining up an offer for the Brazilian.Arsenal exploring options to sign RodrygoChelsea also considering a bid for BrazilianMadrid reportedly demanding £85m for wingerWHAT HAPPENED?Arsenal are already holding talks about a possible bid for the winger, Sky Sport in Germany reports, with the Gunner...
Revealed: Conte's long list of demands to stay on at NapoliAntonio Conte has issued a list of demands to the Napoli board if he is to stay on as coach next season.Bayern could lose two key coaching staff membersBayern Munich and head coach Vincent Kompany could lose two key members of the coaching staff just days after reclaiming their Bundesliga throne.Chelsea in talks over move for €100m-r...
HE TOLD us so. Big Ange Postecoglou told us that he always wins a trophy in his second season. And even though it was a statement of fact, we laughed at him, we sneered and we wondered why he’d made such a bold statement when he was the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, London’s long-running comedy club. But after a terrible match, between two terrible teams, settled by a terrible goal, Po...
ENGLAND fans heading to next summer’s World Cup could be fleeced for THOUSANDS per match under Fifa plans to use a "dynamic pricing" strategy.Average costs of around £305 per match had previously been reported.But now Fifa chiefs are looking at the same demand-based pricing arrangements that saw this summer’s Oasis reunion concerts plunged into controversy.And that could see ticke...
- 1 We will see – no Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emiliano Martinez
- 2 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 3 Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
- 4 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 5 Liverpool cleared to complete signing
- 6 Marc Guehi to land transfer to Real or Barca
- 7 Real Madrid agree deal for Dean Huijsen
- 8 Dele Alli’s girlfriend Cindy sets pulses racing in barely
- 9 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 10 3 EPL giants have advantage in Osimhen race