Will Keane Rescues Point in Deepdale Drama
Key Takeaways
- Will Keane's 96th-minute header salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw for Preston North End
- Jovon Makama broke the deadlock in the 85th minute for Norwich City
- Preston dominated the shot count 11-8 but struggled to find the breakthrough
- Vladan Kovacevic made three crucial saves to preserve Norwich's lead until stoppage time
PRESTON, ENGLAND — Will Keane emerged as Preston North End's unlikely hero, powering home a header in the 96th minute to snatch a 1-1 draw against Norwich City at Deepdale. The striker, introduced just 18 minutes earlier, rose to meet Brad Potts' delivery and sent the home faithful into raptures with virtually the last touch of a pulsating Championship encounter. Preston had dominated the shot count at 11-8 but looked destined for defeat until Keane's dramatic intervention.
The match appeared headed for a frustrating stalemate until Norwich finally broke through in the 85th minute. Jovon Makama, who had missed a golden opportunity just four minutes earlier, made amends by converting from the centre of the box with a clinical right-footed finish. Emiliano Marcondes provided the assist following a set piece situation, threading the ball through Preston's defence for Makama to slot home to the bottom right corner. The striker's celebration earned him a yellow card, but Norwich seemed poised to claim all three points. However, Preston refused to surrender. In the 96th minute, Andrija Vukcevic delivered a cross from the left, Potts saw his header blocked, but the ball fell perfectly for Keane, who nodded home from very close range to the bottom right corner.
The tactical battle proved evenly matched throughout, with the teams sharing possession almost equally at 46.4%-53.6% in Norwich's favour. Vladan Kovacevic stood tall in the Norwich goal, making three vital saves to keep Preston at bay, including a crucial stop from Michael Smith's header in the 59th minute. Andrew Hughes and Jordan Storey anchored Preston's defence admirably, though Hughes picked up a yellow card for a foul on Tony Springett in the 64th minute. Benjamin Whiteman controlled Preston's midfield tempo despite receiving an early second-half booking, while Kenny McLean and Pelle Mattsson battled to disrupt the home side's rhythm.
Despite Preston's moderate statistical dominance with four shots on target compared to Norwich's solitary effort, the visitors' clinical edge nearly proved decisive. The Canaries committed 17 fouls to Preston's 11 in a physical encounter that saw five yellow cards brandished. Preston's corner count of four to Norwich's three reflected their territorial advantage, yet they struggled to convert pressure into clear-cut chances until the dying moments.
The turning point arrived with Preston's late substitutions. Manager Paul Heckingbottom introduced Will Keane, Brad Potts, and Andrija Vukcevic in the final 20 minutes, transforming his side's attacking threat. The fresh legs provided the impetus Preston desperately needed, with Potts instrumental in the buildup and Keane providing the clinical finish. Kellen Fisher's 93rd-minute yellow card for a foul on Potts epitomized Norwich's desperate attempts to preserve their advantage as Preston threw everything forward.
Looking ahead, Preston North End will travel to face Stoke City on December 26, while Norwich City host Charlton Athletic on the same day.