Liam Lindsay emerged as the unlikely hero for Preston North End, guiding his side to a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Sheffield United. The former Stoke City defender, who had only found the net six times in league play over five seasons with Preston, delivered a career‑first brace within a fifteen‑minute spell, delivering a decisive blow to the Blades. Lindsay rose above the crowd to meet Jordan Thompson’s in‑swinging left‑footed corner, directing a powerful header past a helpless Adam Davies in the fifth minute. Just fifteen minutes later, he out‑witted his markers again, sprinting to the near post to volley home Alfie Devine’s opposite‑corner delivery, giving the visitors a comfortable 2‑0 lead and laying the foundation for what would become a memorable win.
Those two strikes marked the 30‑year‑old’s first league goals of the season and came in the penultimate fixture, propelling the Lilywhites from 16th place to 12th in the Championship standings. Sheffield United responded when midfielder Gus Hamer converted a 71st‑minute penalty after Femi Seriki was brought down by Andrija Vukčević.
However, the lead was short‑lived; five minutes later, Lewis Dobbin latched onto a superb defence‑splitting pass from Devine, surged from midfield and rounded the beaten Davies to restore Preston’s advantage. The drama continued as former Leeds striker Patrick Bamford pulled one back in the 82nd minute, slotting his 12th goal of the campaign to keep the visitors within touching distance. Earlier in the season, during the reverse fixture in October, United had taken a 2‑0 lead inside the opening twenty minutes before collapsing to a 3‑2 defeat – a scenario that seemed poised to repeat. Yet this time Preston held firm, denying the Blades any chance of an equaliser.
In the closing stages, Bamford struck again, blasting a close‑range effort wide, while Ki‑Jana Hoever somehow managed a bizarre header that skimmed just under the bar in the 95th minute. Hamer’s final attempt narrowly missed the target, sealing a thrilling contest that ended in Preston’s favour. Former Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom celebrated his league double over his old club, adding to a recent run of victories that included wins over Hull City and Watford. Meanwhile, United’s manager Chris Wilder had hoped to finish the season on a high note, but a 3‑1 home loss to Blackburn earlier in the week had already dented their ambitions.
Wilder urged his side to improve their performance at Bramall Lane, though his players were booed at halftime before rallying to raise their game. Sheffield United created several chances in the second half, notably when unmarked winger Tahith Chong inexplicably drifted across the six‑yard box without taking a shot, opting instead for a less threatening option. Later, a spectacular save from Davies denied Dobbin after Daniel Jebbison had broken free inside the box. Tensions flared as coaching staff exchanged words following a late challenge by Thompson on United midfielder Oliver Arblaster, who was making his first start after a 13‑month injury lay‑off.
In the end, it was Preston who held the final word. Wilder reflected on the match, saying, "We knew what the game was going to be about. The three goals sum us up: dealing with direct play, dealing with second balls, stopping crosses, defending inside your goal… it's all basic Championship football you need to be good at. They were good at it and we weren't." He added, "We've created chances but we gave ourselves a mountain to climb yet again with the two goals we conceded from set‑plays.
There was a softness about us and then the shirt's heavy. It's been too heavy for some players. Both boxes have been our Achilles heel this season, even late on." Preston’s boss Paul Heckingbottom praised his side’s resilience, recalling a light‑hearted challenge he’d made to Lindsay at half‑time: "I challenged him to get a hat‑trick at half‑time – and he just laughed at me, so I don't think he was expecting to get another one.
But he was due a goal. And they were both great headers." He continued, "I don't think we've been good enough at set‑plays all season and we've just seen the value of them. We were also a big threat on the counter. The fact they get the next goal out of nothing changes the game.
We went again, gave them another goal and then we had another chance to put it to bed. We kept going and we kept responding to them.
But we made it harder than it needed to be. They are a good side, though. I was proud of the players.
We were without three centre‑backs and, right up until the last minute, were not sure who would play. But the boys who had to go again were excellent and those who had to come in were very good. We had to block everything at the end but it's a big win." The match also featured promotional content, reminding fans that the £250,000 Super 6 prize pool remains up for grabs and that entries are free, with the deadline set for 3 pm on Saturday. The Sky Sports app and NOW platform continue to broadcast EFL action for supporters across the country.