Preston North End Secures Narrow Victory at Derby County

Preston North End secured a 1-0 victory over Derby County, with Alfie Devine scoring the winning goal. Preston's manager, Paul Heckingbottom, praised his team's performance, highlighting their passing, determination, and defensive resilience needed to hold on to a narrow lead in a competitive league. Heckingbottom expressed satisfaction with the team's overall season and the improved mentality compared to previous matches, emphasizing the importance of tenacity and quality regardless of opponents' rankings. Derby County's head coach, John Eustace, acknowledged a poor first-half performance and credited his team's energetic second-half effort, though they were unlucky not to equalize. Eustace emphasized the need for learning and finding the right team chemistry moving forward. Both coaches recognized the physical and tactical challenges in the match, reflecting on the competitive nature of the league and the significance of the result for Preston's confidence.