The 2024-25 English Carabao Cup, Third Round delivered a captivating contest between Preston North End and Fulham at Deepdale Stadium. This thrilling encounter was marked by dramatic twists, intense play, and a record-breaking penalty shootout that saw Preston North End advance to the next round after a 16-15 victory. The match was a testament to the resilience of both sides, with Preston North End’s gritty performance and Fulham’s tenacity pushing the game to the very limits.
Preston North End vs Fulham Head to Head
Historically, Preston North End and Fulham have engaged in numerous fiercely contested matches across different competitions. Both teams came into this 2024-25 English Carabao Cup clash with determination, looking to secure a spot in the next round. Preston North End, known for their physical approach and organized defense, stood firm against a Fulham side that is widely recognized for their attacking fluidity and Premier League experience.
The last time these teams met in this tournament, Fulham edged past Preston, but this time Preston was keen to settle the score on their home turf.
Preston North End vs Fulham Lineups
Here is the Preston North End vs Fulham lineups today (Sep 17, 2024)
Preston North End Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Freddie Woodman
- Defenders: Jordan Storey, Liam Lindsay, Patrick Bauer (substituted by Andrew Hughes 61′)
- Midfielders: Ryan Ledson, Stefán Thórdarson (substituted by Ali McCann 68′), Duane Holmes (substituted by Benjamin Whiteman 82′), Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Josh Bowler (substituted by Jeppe Okkels 83′)
- Forwards: Milutin Osmajic, Mads Frökjaer-Jensen (substituted by Sam Greenwood 68′)
Substitutes:
- Andrew Hughes, Ali McCann, Benjamin Whiteman, Jeppe Okkels, Sam Greenwood
Fulham Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Steven Benda
- Defenders: Jorge Cuenca, Issa Diop, Timothy Castagne, Ryan Sessegnon
- Midfielders: Harrison Reed (substituted by Emile Smith Rowe 77′), Sander Berge, Tom Cairney (substituted by Martial Godo 85′)
- Forwards: Reiss Nelson (substituted by Raúl Jiménez 85′), Rodrigo Muniz (substituted by Sasa Lukic 90+5′), Harry Wilson (substituted by Alex Iwobi 77′)
Substitutes:
- Alex Iwobi, Sasa Lukic, Martial Godo, Emile Smith Rowe, Raúl Jiménez
Preston North End vs Fulham First Half
The match started with both teams cautiously probing each other’s defenses. Fulham dominated possession early on, but Preston North End’s defense, led by goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, stood tall. As the half progressed, Preston found their rhythm, and in the 35th minute, Ryan Ledson broke the deadlock with a stunning strike from outside the box, giving Preston North End a 1-0 lead.
Fulham pressed hard in the remaining minutes of the half but were unable to breach Preston’s defense. The first half ended with the home side leading 1-0.
Preston North End vs Fulham Second Half
Fulham started the second half with more intent, pushing for an equalizer. Their efforts bore fruit in the 61st minute when Reiss Nelson equalized for Fulham with a calm finish after a well-timed assist from Ryan Sessegnon. The goal reignited the contest, as both teams pushed for a winner.
However, despite several close chances from both sides, including a crucial save by Woodman from a Rodrigo Muniz header, the match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, forcing a penalty shootout.
Preston North End vs Fulham Penalty Shootout
The shootout was a nerve-wracking affair, one that would go down as one of the most extended and intense penalty shootouts in Carabao Cup history.
The penalty shootout began with Fulham converting their first penalty through Raúl Jiménez, followed by Preston North End’s equalizer from Benjamin Whiteman. The shootout continued with both teams converting their penalties with incredible precision until Fulham’s Timothy Castagne missed his shot in the 112th minute, giving Preston North End the advantage. Ryan Ledson calmly stepped up and converted the winning penalty, sending Preston through with a 16-15 victory.
Preston North End vs Fulham Full-Time Details
| Team | Goals | Penalties |
| Preston North End | 1 | 16 |
| Fulham | 1 | 15 |
Scorers:
- Preston North End: Ryan Ledson (35′)
- Fulham: Reiss Nelson (61′)
Preston North End vs Fulham Timeline of Key Events:
- 35’ – Goal! Preston North End take the lead through Ryan Ledson.
- 61’ – Reiss Nelson equalizes for Fulham.
- 90’ – Full time ends, 1-1.
- Penalty Shootout: 16-15 to Preston North End, with Timothy Castagne missing the decisive penalty for Fulham.
Preston North End vs Fulham Impact on the Points Table
With this result, Preston North End secured a spot in the fourth round of the 2024-25 English Carabao Cup. Fulham’s exit from the competition was a disappointment, but their focus will now shift to the Premier League, where they will seek to maintain their form. For Preston, this victory was a huge morale booster, as they managed to knock out a Premier League side, reaffirming their credentials as cup contenders.
Preston North End vs Fulham Man of the Match
Ryan Ledson was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, including scoring Preston’s goal in regular time and converting the decisive penalty in the shootout. His leadership in midfield was crucial to Preston’s success.
The 2024-25 English Carabao Cup, Third Round clash between Preston North End and Fulham was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in one of the most dramatic penalty shootouts in recent memory. Preston North End’s resilience, combined with Fulham’s persistent pressure, made for an unforgettable cup tie. In the end, Preston’s ability to hold their nerve in the shootout earned them a well-deserved place in the next round, while Fulham will rue their missed opportunities.
