Swansea made it four points from two games under caretaker boss Alan Sheehan as they held FA Cup quarter-finalists Preston 0-0 at Deepdale.
Milutin Osmajic was unable to make the most of some good opportunities for the hosts as Swansea, who went close through substitute Eom Ji-sung, added a draw on the road to the 3-0 home win over Blackburn that they had recorded 10 days earlier in their first match after sacking Luke Williams.
The Welsh side, beaten in seven out of nine Championship games prior to Williams’ dismissal, are now 10 points above the relegation zone in 16th.
They are two points and one place behind Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston, who have won only one of their last six league games.
The contest came three days on from North End securing a first FA Cup last-eight appearance since 1966, in which they will host Aston Villa, with a 3-0 home victory over Burnley.
That match had seen Osmajic make headlines as, after Burnley players refused to shake his hand prior to kick-off and he was booed by Clarets fans, he cupped his ears having scored his 13th goal of the season.
Osmajic had been accused by Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri of racially abusing him when the teams met in the league two weeks earlier – accusations he denies and which are being investigated by the Football Association.
The Montenegro forward retained his place as Heckingbottom made one change from the cup tie, bringing in Sam Greenwood for Stefan Thordarson, while Swansea were unchanged from the Blackburn match.
Swansea made the better start, with Zan Vipotnik heading over and Lewis O’Brien’s drilled effort bringing a save out of Freddie Woodman.
Preston offered little at the other end until a Will Keane strike was blocked in the 25th minute, and Greenwood then headed over before Osmajic saw a shot go the same way from close range via a deflection off Swans defender Josh Key.
Greenwood had another chance late in the first half – shortly after Swansea had been forced to take off Myles Peart-Harris, replacing him with Eom – but his shot was dealt with by Lawrence Vigouroux, who also caught a free-kick from the on-loan Leeds player in stoppage time.
Osmajic then passed up a great opportunity moments into the second half, being played in by Brad Potts only to misjudge his finish as he dragged wide.
Further Swansea blocks thwarted Greenwood and Ryan Ledson, before Eom sent a low free-kick narrowly wide at the other end.
As Preston pushed again, Ledson saw a looping header tipped over, Kaine Kesler-Hayden struck too high and Vigouroux did well to parry a Potts shot, then claim Greenwood’s header on the follow-up.
Osmajic then found himself in another one-v-one situation late on, but he could not take the ball around Vigouroux, the goalkeeper sticking out a leg to divert it away.
Ange Postecoglou insisted his controversial cupped ear celebration to Tottenham fans in a 1-0 loss at Chelsea had been misinterpreted on another bad night for the Australian.Spurs slipped to a 16th defeat in the Premier League this season thanks to a 50th-minute header by Enzo Fernandez, but it only told half the story of a typically frenzied London derby.VAR was required to rule out a fine strike...
Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...
David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were...
Jack Grealish dedicated his goal to his late brother after scoring in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Leicester on Wednesday.The England international hit his first Premier League goal for 16 months, on his first start in the competition since last December, as City moved back into fourth with a comfortable success at the Etihad Stadium.It came on the 25th anniversary of...
David Moyes bemoaned an “offside” goal that gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton – but admitted James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid an early red card on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were left unhappy with decisions from referee Sam Barr...
Eddie Howe hailed Sandro Tonali’s shooting power after seeing him cap a fine display with a stunning winner to edge Newcastle into the race for Champions League qualification.The 24-year-old Italy international brought an incident-packed encounter to a fitting conclusion with a 74th-minute piledriver which beat goalkeeper Mark Flekken from an improbable angle to hand the Magpies a precious 2...
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes Marcus Rashford is “progressively getting better” in all aspects of his game following his first Premier League goal for the club.The on-loan Manchester United forward set Villa on course for a comprehensive 3-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Brighton with a 51st-minute finish at the Amex Stadium.Rashford’s milestone strike came three days ...
Southampton boss Ivan Juric vowed to keep fighting as relegation moved sharply into focus after Crystal Palace denied them only a third Premier League win of the season.Substitute Matheus Franca’s stoppage-time header, to secure a 1-1 draw for the Eagles, means Saints will be down at the weekend if they lose at Tottenham and Wolves beat Ipswich.If relegation is confirmed on Sunday, Southampt...
Derby boss John Eustace insists his side are reaping the rewards for the hard work they have put in since he was appointed as manager after the Rams earned a 2-0 win over Preston to climb out of the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone.Derby came out firing after a lacklustre opening period and Craig Forsyth coolly slotted the hosts in front with his fourth goal of the season.The Rams doubled thei...
Notts County manager Stuart Maynard hailed a “massive” three points as his side comfortably saw off MK Dons at Meadow Lane to maintain their promotion challenge.Two stunning strikes from David McGoldrick and Will Jarvis from the edge of the box, either side of Nick Tsaroulla’s close-range effort, earned County a convincing 3-0 win.“I think every three points is massive now,...
- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender