LOWE ON A HIGH AS RIIS CAPS COMEBACK
RYAN Lowe paid tribute to Emil Riis after the striker scored his first goal in more than 15 months to lead Preston to victory at Cardiff City.
It was Riis’ first goal since returning from a year-long lay-off due to an ACL injury – with his last strike coming against Middlesbrough in October 2022.
“We’ve all been waiting for Emil to come back,” said the Lilywhites boss Lowe.
“He looked strong physically. I’m pleased with his goal, for him and his teammates – they’re all pleased for him.
“The build-up to it was fantastic and the way he took it, so I’m really pleased for him. It’s huge to have him back.
“At some point he’s going to have to have a break.
“We’re just trying to mould him into a perfect striker. But we do need to be careful with him. We can’t just slog him all the way through. We’ll manage his days and his loads.
“I’m just pleased for him getting on the scoresheet after having that long period of time out – as a striker it’s pleasing.”
Cardiff boss Erol Bulut handed full debuts to former Celtic midfielder David Turnbull and Liverpool loanee Nat Phillips, while Lowe stuck with the same 11 that started Preston’s 3-2 success against Ipswich Town last time out.
The Bluebirds started on the front foot and saw Kion Etete and Karlan Grant both drill efforts straight at Freddie Woodman.
The Lilywhites struggled to get into the contest as Cardiff played with more composure and accuracy, with Grant again testing Woodman. But Preston stunned the home crowd by taking the lead with their first effort on target on the half-hour mark.
Riis cut in from the left, evading challenges from Dimitrios Goutas and Manolis Siopis, before firing past Jak Alnwick.
The outlook of the match completely shifted, so much so that Bulut was yellow carded by referee Dean Whitestone as the frustration among those in blue grew.
And it got even better for Preston five minutes before the break as Brad Potts, Will Keane and Mads Frokjaer-Jensen combined on the right, with the latter teeing up Whiteman who slotted home to round off a stunning move.
Home fans jeered as the half-time whistle blew and Bulut replaced Ryan Wintle and Josh Bowler with Aaron Ramsey and Josh Wilson-Esbrand for the second half.
It was Ramsey’s first appearance since suffering a knee injury against Swansea in September while it was Wilson-Esbrand’s maiden home outing since joining on loan from Man City.
Phillips and Siopis had efforts shortly after the restart as the Bluebirds looked to reduce Preston’s deficit, with Grant then lashing over following a one-two with Ramsey.
Famara Diedhiou replaced Etete to make his home debut for Cardiff, while Alnwick did brilliantly to keep the Bluebirds in the game by palming away Riis’ powerful strike. Rubin Colwill and Yakou Meite were both summoned from the bench, but Preston managed the final stages with minimal fuss to end their fivegame winless away streak.