Sinky finds perfect start
SWANSEA’S one-time favourite Scott Sinclair opened his account for Preston with a belting strike – and celebrated wildly.
There was no chance of new signing Sinclair refusing to acknowledge his maiden goal in a North End shirt.
Liverpool loanee Rhian Brewster took the shine off the ex-celtic winger’s glory when he grabbed Swans’ leveller six minutes later.
But Preston boss Alex Neil was just happy and relieved that Sinclair had got off the mark.
He said: “It was real quality. He got a wee pocket, dribbled though, then bent the ball in with his weaker foot. Now that he’s got his first goal for us, that issue is laid to rest and we can push on.”
But Neil was honest enough to admit: “His goal came against the run of play. We needed to be braver and earn the right to play. But if you’re not going to win, don’t get beaten.”
Sinclair’s goal was certainly an out-of-the blue, first-half sizzler. But another of Swansea’s batch of young loan signings, Conor Gallagher, then made sure his new team-mate got on the score sheet.
Chelsea loanee Gallagher carved the chance, twists and turns bamboozling North End’s defence.
Breaking through, he prodded the ball to Andre Ayew, who survived calls for an offside to get in a quick square pass in front of goal to set up Brewster and the Liverpool loanee simply bundled home with ease, his second goal in his fourth game for the Swans.
Swansea showed early menace with George Byers twice causing problems for the Preston defence. He first swept a long-range curler wide, then forced keeper Declan Rudd into action with a low snapshot. Gallagher was in the thick of it when a ricochet went close, and Swansea’s home-grown Joe Rodon powered a header wide. Sinclair’s strike was hard for Swansea’s fans to take, since the popular striker had made his mark over two seasons at the Liberty Stadium, but it could have been tougher if a late header by Patrick Bauer had not been pushed over keeper Freddie Woodman.
Boss Steve Cooper picked out Brewster for his “great performance”, adding: “There were lots of positives out there. We came here to win, but always knew that Preston have the best home record in this division.”