Preston boss Ryan Lowe was delighted to avoid a potential banana skin after a comfortable 3-0 home win over a Rotherham side whose Championship status is hanging by a thread.
North End remain five points behind sixth-placed Norwich in the table, but they have lost just one of their last 10 to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Rock-bottom Rotherham, meanwhile, are now 19 points from safety with only seven matches left, having still not won a match in 2024 and not won at all on their travels this season.
Goals from Duane Holmes and two from Emil Riis just before half-time sealed all three points for Preston, with Lowe pleased at his team’s ability to get the job done.
Lowe, whose side go to struggling Birmingham on Monday, said: “A clean sheet and three points, nobody can ask for anything more than that I don’t think.
“Overall I thought the performance was fantastic.
“At this time it’s just about winning games of football, and we did that comfortably.
“I said to the players before the game that this one had to be about attitude and application, against a team who haven’t really got anything to play for.
“It could have been a potential banana skin, but to be fair to the group, it definitely didn’t turn out like that.
“We were on the front foot pretty much throughout the game, we produced some good passages of play and we scored some good goals.
“I’m pleased with the result and the performance, and so we move on to Easter Monday now and see what that brings.
“It’s all about staying positive, given the position we’re in.”
After a rather pedestrian start at Deepdale, the hosts created the first opportunity when Andrew Hughes pounced on a loose ball in the Millers box, only for his effort to be blocked by keeper Viktor Johansson.
Holmes then celebrated his return to the starting line-up by opening the scoring in the 22nd minute, darting in to coolly convert a cross from Robbie Brady.
With half-time approaching, Preston deservedly doubled their advantage when Riis took a touch from Mads Frokjaer’s cross before slotting past Johansson.
Five minutes later he struck again from close range to make it 3-0.
With the game wrapped up by half-time, the second half was a much quieter affair, with Preston looking the more likely team to score.
Rotherham could now be mathematically relegated on Easter Monday, when they host Millwall, but manager Leam Richardson wants the team to keep battling.
He said: “We know what moment we’re in here, and this club is massively in transition, I think we can all see that.
“But that’s not really what the fans want to hear – I feel for all of our fans right now.
“We’ve all got to represent ourselves and this club much better than we have been doing.
“If you’re not bang at it in this division, if you’re not at 100 per cent all the time, you know you’re going to be in for a tough ride.
“That’s what’s happened here again.
“It’s about me trying to get some confidence into the players and trying my best to give the team some kind of identity. Maybe then we can get better results.
“We certainly don’t want to be going out of this division with a whimper.
“I want everyone to stick together and show a bit more belief and confidence in these final few remaining games of the season.”
Kaheim Dixon wins Chicken George Goal of the Month and scores brace against QPR
Jamaican forward Kaheim Dixon has been awarded November's Chicken George Goal of the Month for his sensational strike in Charlton U21s’ dominant 9-2 victory over Wingate & Finchley. Dixon’s remarkable goal, which saw him control the ball with his thigh, flick it over a defender, and unleash a left-footed finish from 20 yards, highlighted his extraordinary talent. The goal was one of four he scored that night, earning him accolades and selection by CharltonTV’s Steve Brown as the award winner.
Dixon continued his impressive run of form on Tuesday, scoring twice in Charlton U21s’ 6-3 victory over Queens Park Rangers U21 in a Professional Development League Two clash. He opened the scoring just five minutes into the match, finishing a pass from Kai Enslin with precision. His second came 15 minutes later, a composed strike following another assist from Enslin.
Dixon also turned provider before halftime, setting up Enslin’s hat-trick with a perfectly timed pass across the box, showcasing his all-around contribution to the team’s success. Charlton went into the break with a commanding lead, though QPR fought back with three goals in the second half. A late goal from a Trialist in additional time secured the victory, extending Charlton’s unbeaten streak to six games.
The Jamaican international’s outstanding performances in recent weeks underscore his potential as a rising star. With his flair, composure, and ability to deliver in key moments, Dixon continues to establish himself as a critical player for Charlton U21s. Fans and teammates alike are eager to see how his season progresses as Charlton prepares for their next match against AFC Bournemouth.
Conte justifies decision to make 11 changes in Napoli cup defeat at Lazio
Napoli head coach Antonio Conte has justified his decision to make 11 changes to the starting lineup for Thursday's 3-1 defeat away to Lazio in the Coppa Italia round of 16.
The 55-year-old suggested that the tournament gave him the opportunity to avoid injuries to players and make assessments on others as he rested everyone who started last weekend's 1-0 win at Torino.
The result of Conte's selection was a 3-1 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico, with Tijjani Noslin scoring a hat-trick to knock the visitors out of the competition.
"We made a very well-considered choice, we have a long season ahead of us. We can't make the sign of the cross and hope that no one gets injured," Conte told reporters.
"These are matches where we wanted to make assessments. After this match you will make your assessments, I will make mine, and the club will make its assessments. Evaluations are subjective and mine are the most important."
Serie A leaders Napoli face Lazio again on Sunday, this time at home, and are four points ahead of their fifth-placed visitors.
"It will definitely be a different game, we'll be playing at home and in a different competition," said Conte.
"Lazio is definitely a very good team and also equipped to play in the Europa League. They have a valuable squad as demonstrated again today. We will try to play our game."
Arteta: Arsenal must 'earn the right' to beat Fulham
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal must "earn the right" to beat Fulham in the Premier League London derby at Craven Cottage.
The Gunners, who are third in the table and only behind Chelsea on goal difference, have momentum following their 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday, stretching their winning streak across all competitions to four matches.
Arsenal have bounced back brilliantly after a run of three matches without victory, though they were beaten 2-1 by Fulham in this fixture last season.
And Arteta is wary of the Cottagers as a result.
"We want to have the right to win games," the Spaniard said following the win over United. "If we perform the way we perform right now, we are going to win a lot of games.
"But now, it is about Fulham, we have to go there, and we know the experience of last season.
"We're going to have to prepare really well to earn the right to win there and continue to do that. The rest, we don't know.
"The will to win is there. We have won four in a row, but it doesn't matter. We have to go to Fulham now and be better than them to try to win the game.
"It's a crazy schedule, we're going to need everybody and, mentally, be very strong because you're going to have to go through those moments."
Fulham returned to winning ways on Thursday with a 3-1 victory over Brighton lifting them to sixth place.
Alex Iwobi scored a brace against the Seagulls - only his second double in 267 Premier League appearances - and the former Arsenal midfielder highlighted his desire to get on the scoresheet more often, ahead of facing his former club.
"We wanted to get a win on the board [against Brighton] after our last game against Spurs [1-1 draw]," he said. "[There is] no better place to do it than at our place.
"I should be getting more goals, but it was good to get them for the team.
"We see the ability [of the team] in training. This performance [against Brighton] gives us a boost going into Arsenal, who are on a good run at the moment."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham - Harry Wilson
The Wales international netted just once in his first 21 Premier League London derby appearances for Fulham.
However, he has scored three goals in his last three such matches, and he is one the Gunners have to keep an eye on.
Arsenal - Bukayo Saka
Saka has been involved in 14 goals in his last 14 London derby matches in the Premier League (seven goals, seven assists).
The England international's tally of 17 assists in such games is beaten only by Cesc Fabregas (24), Dennis Bergkamp (23) and Frank Lampard (18).
MATCH PREDICTION: ARSENAL WIN
Since losing 2-1 to Fulham in the corresponding match last season, Arsenal have won seven of their last eight Premier League London derbies.
After netting five times at West Ham last weekend, the Gunners have scored five or more goals in five different away matches in all competitions in 2024. They are aiming to become the first English top-flight side to do so six times in a single calendar year.
Arsenal have also found the net in each of their last 18 Premier League showdowns with Fulham, stretching back to a goalless draw in February 2009.
However, Fulham are unbeaten in their last eight league London derbies (W4 D4), their longest such run since a run of nine between February 2000 and September 2001, a streak that was ended by a 3-1 home loss to Arsenal.
Fulham boss Marco Silva has won four of his 10 previous meetings with Arsenal across all competitions (D1 L5) with each victory coming with a different team (Olympiakos, Watford, Everton, Fulham) – he could win back-to-back games against the Gunners for the first time.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Fulham - 18.5%
Arsenal - 61.3%
Draw - 20.2%
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