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.”
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
