Grayson’s delight at Johnson’s late show
DANIEL JOHNSON scored an 85th-minute winner as Preston made it six defeats in seven games for Bristol City.
The midfielder beat young goalkeeper Ivan Lucic at his near post with a tame-looking effort after creating room on the right of the six-yard box.
Preston had taken a 21st-minute lead at Ashton Gate when striker Simon Makienok latched on to Callum Robinson’s cross from the right unmarked to volley home from close range.
But City substitute Aaron Wilbraham rose at the far post to head a 78th-minute equaliser from Adam Matthews’ deep right-wing cross.
North End boss Simon Grayson said: “We have had a good week with seven points from nine on offer with two good away performances.
“In the first 20 minutes, Bristol City came out of the traps very quickly and were dominant.
“We weathered that storm and the first goal is crucial in any game and we got it.
“We grew into the game then and had some really good opportunities to take the game away from them.
“Unfortunately we didn’t take chances, they scored their equaliser but we then showed a huge amount of character to go and get the winner which overall, I think we deserved.”
City boss Lee Johnson said: “We have talented players in this group and we need to turn this tide.
“We have to work through this period. We need a little bit more strength in the team to provide the rest with a bit of security.
“It takes us into the January window as a club and enough is enough.
“Tweaks need to be made and I think we need a couple of signings to help the group.
“It’s never easy in January, but I know what I would like.
“There is a lot that right, but a little bit that is wrong. It’s that part that is driving me insane at the moment.
“We played some brilliant football in the first 20 minutes and then they get one chance and take the lead. We’ve given away a really soft goal and taken another punch on the nose.”
Negredo’s early brace and a 58th-minute effort from Marten de Roon sunk the below-par Swans and suggested it will take a Christmas miracle to lift them out of their increasingly precarious position in the Premier League’s bottom three.
Bradley’s men were second best throughout, giving Negredo space in the box to swing home an 18th-minute opener before Jordi Amat tripped Adam Forshaw to set up Negredo’s second from the spot.
Bustling Boro got the third they deserved just before the hour mark when De Roon converted a cross from Negredo – and they could have made it four late on when the returning George Friend roved forward only to fire high and wide.
Boro boss Aitor Karanka said: “It was really difficult at the beginning of the game but it has been a massive win against a direct opponent.
“There are some games we will win playing not as well as we would like to play and some we will lose playing our best because we are in the Premier League and every single point is difficult.”
Bradley’s men had looked lively in the opening moments, Modou Barrow having a cross cut out by Ben Gibson then Gylfi Sigurdsson stinging the hands of Boro keeper Victor Valdes from long range.
But the hosts soon settled and Negredo had his first chance in the 10th minute when his shot across the face of goal was well deflected by Swans goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, with Forshaw lurking.
The early exit of Viktor Fischer with an apparent knee problem did nothing to quell Boro’s momentum.
Negredo grabbed his fine opener on 18 minutes when he finished off a swift counter-attack by swinging home from Adam Clayton’s cross.
The returning Ramirez almost made it two in the 23rd minute when he fired a free-kick inches over.
And Boro increased their lead on the half-hour when Amat, who had been responsible for losing Negredo for the opener, clipped Forshaw leading referee Neil Swarbrick to point to the spot.
Negredo made no mistake by deceiving Fabianski and placing a low shot to the keeper’s left.
For all their urgency, Swansea were still far too wayward with their attacking intent in the opening minutes of the second half and Downing had the best chance for Boro when he drilled a long-ranger straight at Fabianski.
Taking advantage of alarming gaps in the Swansea rearguard, Boro increased their lead in the 58th minute with the simplest of goals, Ramirez crossing from the right for the unmarked De Roon to knock home from close range.
Despite their chance having surely gone, Swansea belatedly pressed with Sigurdsson firing over the bar and a strong effort from substitute Leroy Fer blocked in a crowded box.
Friend missed the target after Fabio launched a swift counter-attack while Swansea’s hopes of a consolation were dashed when Valdes saved well from Fernando Llorente late on.
Swansea’s small travelling contingent made their anger plain towards the end of the game but boss Bradley is adamant two upcoming home games give him the chance to turn his side’s season around.
He said: “I like this group of players, I love the club and now it’s a challenge.
“When I came here I knew what I was getting into and I’m not backing down now.
“That’s the challenge – when the team has put itself in a tough spot, everybody has got to stick together during the toughest times and fight the fight.”