Preston North End delivered a thrilling performance to knock Fulham out of the Carabao Cup, winning 16-15 in an unforgettable penalty shoot-out. Ryan Ledson became the hero of the night, holding his nerve to convert the decisive spot-kick after an intense 1-1 draw in regular time.
First-Half Action: Ledson’s Stunning Volley
The game began with both teams eager to seize control, but it was Preston who struck first. In the 35th minute, Ryan Ledson unleashed a powerful 20-yard volley after Fulham’s Harrison Reed failed to clear the ball properly. The strike was enough to send the home crowd into a frenzy, as the underdogs took a surprising lead against their Premier League opponents.
Fulham, though, showed flashes of their quality with Ryan Sessegnon and Reiss Nelson linking up well. Preston’s defense was tested early on, with Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Liam Lindsay making crucial last-ditch tackles to deny Fulham scoring opportunities.
Fulham’s Equalizer and Second-Half Dominance
After the break, Fulham’s Premier League quality began to shine. Just before the hour mark, Reiss Nelson leveled the score, finishing a clever cross from Ryan Sessegnon to make it 1-1. Fulham kept pressing, with Freddie Woodman in Preston’s goal pulling off crucial saves, including a vital stop against Harry Wilson in the 70th minute.
Despite Fulham’s pressure, Preston held firm, knowing that a penalty shoot-out could give them a fighting chance.
The Longest Shoot-Out in League Cup History
What followed was a record-breaking marathon shoot-out that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams showcased incredible composure, with the first 16 penalties all being converted. It wasn’t until Fulham’s Timothy Castagne skied his effort that Preston saw a glimmer of victory.
Ryan Ledson stepped up with the opportunity to seal the win and made no mistake, sending Fulham goalkeeper Steven Benda the wrong way to secure a famous victory for Preston.
Heckingbottom’s Pride in Preston’s Performance
After the match, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom was full of praise for his team’s resilience. “As the shoot-out went on, the more determined I became to win it. The lads gave everything to get to this point,” he said. Heckingbottom highlighted the defensive strength of his side, especially in the face of Fulham’s relentless attacks, and praised Woodman’s critical saves.
Silva’s Optimism Despite Defeat
Fulham manager Marco Silva, although disappointed, remained optimistic about the performance of some key players. He singled out Ryan Sessegnon for his all-round display, calling him a “decisive player” both offensively and defensively. “We controlled the game and created enough chances to score more,” Silva admitted, but acknowledged that the penalty shoot-out didn’t go in their favor.
Looking Ahead
With this stunning victory, Preston North End now advances to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. Fulham will turn their focus back to Premier League action, but they will be ruing missed opportunities in what was a match for the history books.
