Omer Riza promised his Cardiff side will keep fighting until the end in their battle against relegation after Yakou Meite’s goal late in stoppage time earned a point from a 2-2 draw at Preston.
Stefan Thordarson’s 72nd-minute header looked like earning Preston only a second win in 10 games after Will Alves had cancelled out Milutin Osmajic’s first-half strike, but in the fourth of five minutes added on Meite got free of the Preston defence to head in from close range.
“The boys showed the fighting spirit and I’ll keep saying the same thing, we’re fighting for survival,” Riza said. “They are fighting for each other, they are fighting for the club and we’ve come away with a point…
“(Preston) created good moments, good opportunities, but we stuck at it and we got that point. We’ve come here to try to get three because we need three every game, but us picking up a point today was vitally important.”
Cardiff struggled to make an impact in the first half and Osmajic had a number of opportunities to add to his 20th-minute strike, with the half-time whistle greeted with boos from those who had made the trip from Cardiff.
Riza responded by bringing on Alves for defender Dimitrios Goutas, and the 19-year-old made an instant impact, scoring his first Championship goal within seven minutes as Cardiff added attacking impetus.
Thordarson’s header seemed a killer blow but Cardiff’s endeavour was rewarded late on as they made it four games without a defeat, a run that has brought six points.
“It’s important we pick up points and survive however it comes,” Riza added. “We are four unbeaten but we know the importance of three points to take ourselves away from that area and we’re not managing to do it because of fundamental errors.
“That’s what we need to clean up, but one point is a big point for us today.”
Meite’s late goal means Preston have now drawn 12 times at home this season, 19 in all. Their unbeaten run at Deepdale stands at 14, but it has not brought enough points to get out of the bottom half.
Despite the late equaliser, Paul Heckingbottom felt the performance was a step forward from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Stoke.
“Before (the goal), it was good, I was pleased, but you get punished when you switch off,” he said. “It’s a mistake, it’s an error, but I just said to the boys in there we did more than enough at the other end so we can’t just look at that one error.
“We have to consider the other opportunities to win it at the other end as errors as well. It’s a frustrating one but I’m pleased with the performance.”
Both managers had made attacking substitutions with 20 minutes to go. Preston’s was the first to pay off with Emil Riis involved in the build-up for Thordarson’s goal before Meite won it.
“I’d rather lose a game trying to win it,” Heckingbottom said of his approach. “We need to make sure we take that mentality into next season and be a team that tries to protect points because, 19 draws, it’s not going to get us anywhere.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Neuer vs Auckland City Fabrizio Romano when asked about the Ballon d'Or. lol Oh no This Rayan X Cherki They knew he wouldn’t save it …Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, FootballWTF247, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC, MaguireSkills)...
Paris Saint-Germain had arguably the most dominant Champions League final win in the tournament's history.Beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final, it is a performance that will be talked about for many years to come.With a core of exciting young players, this PSG side could dominate Europe for years.The city of Paris finally has a European champion, and their team is expected to go from streng...
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training sessionLiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is supposedly being eyed up by Real Madrid ahead of next summer, as the Spanish giant's new transfer policy takes shape.According to MARCA, Real Madrid is lining up a move for Konate, but only if his Liverpool contract runs down to the point of expiration in 2026. It is also hoping to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from A...
The Italian champs laid down the law to Manchester rivals City and United over deals for their exiled wingers.Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summerAlejandro Garnacho is like to depart Old TraffordUnited want £70m for Garnacho but are yet to receive an offer for the 20-year-old Argentina international.However, City will be prepared to accept a fee of around £45m for Grealish, 29...
Arteta makes transfer decision on Arsenal defensive duoArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reached the decision over the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, with the defensive duo finding themselves on AC Milan's radar.Man Utd eye Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi to replace OnanaThe Red Devils have set their sights on Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi as they continue their quest to...
Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-finalRayan Cherki has laid out his ambitions after joining Manchester City and has set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or. WHAT HAPPENED?New Manchester City signing Cherki has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or at his new club, with the young attacking midfielder sharing his ambition of following in the footsteps of fellow team-mate ...
Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second LegAthletic Club have sent a warning to Barcelona over their pursuit of Nico Williams telling La Blaugrana to meet the player's release clause. FBL-EUR-C3-ATHLETIC BILBAO-ROMAWHAT HAPPENED?The seemingly never-ending transfer saga between Williams and La Blaugrana took another turn this week, as representatives of Athletic...
Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier LeagueMarcus Rashford has been training in Spain to build up his fitness ahead of a potential transfer as Barcelona track the Manchester United outcast.WHAT HAPPENED?Rashford is training in Marbella during the post-season in an attempt to be fit and raring to go for the 2025-26 campaign. The England international is facing an uncertain future, with United ...
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Ange Postecoglou has been approached by Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli and is considering their offer after being sacked by Tottenham.WHAT HAPPENED?Postecoglou is considering an approach from Al-Ahli as he weighs up his next move after being sacked by Tottenham. The Sun claim the Saudi Pro League outfit have offered the Greek-Austral...
AFC Bournemouth v Everton FC - Premier LeagueBournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie went on a spending spree with his partner Georgina Bell, purchasing six properties in Glasgow in one day.WHAT HAPPENED?A report from The Sun reveals that Bournemouth midfielder Christie recently expanded his property empire by going on a seven-figure spending spree, purchasing as many as six flats in Glasgow in one d...
- 1 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 2 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 3 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 4 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 5 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 6 'If you want to understand, it's really obvious' – USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino responds to Christian Pulisic, eager to move past off-field drama
- 7 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big
- 10 Portugal and France play out draw to start U21 Euro campaign