The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Ryan Ledson’s opener being cancelled out by Reiss Nelson’s equalizer.
What followed was a remarkable penalty shootout. A total of 34 spot-kicks were taken, and Preston edged out Fulham with a 16-15 victory, thanks to Ledson’s second successful penalty of the night, setting a League Cup record for the longest shootout.
A tough battle against a strong Premier League side
Although Fulham made 11 changes from their weekend lineup, they still fielded a solid team, with players like Harry Wilson, Sander Berge, Reiss Nelson, and Rodrigo Muniz capable of threatening Preston.
Preston made eight changes themselves, with Liam Lindsay returning from suspension, and Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Stefan Thordarson, Ryan Ledson, Josh Bowler, Duane Holmes, Milutin Osmajic, and Patrick Bauer making his first start in over a year.
Preston’s defense stood firm, making key blocks and tackles throughout the game. The defense wasn’t tested for pace, as Fulham didn’t play many balls in behind.
Freddie Woodman had a strong game, making several excellent saves and commanding his area well, including one save in the penalty shootout.
Kesler-Hayden, Ledson, Bowler, and Osmajic all put in standout performances, giving Paul Heckingbottom plenty to think about for his next team selection.
I must admit, seeing the likes of Liam Lindsay, Jordan Storey, and an injured Andrew Hughes stepping up to take penalties didn’t fill me with confidence, but credit to every player who scored. There were some fantastic penalties taken.
Luckily for KKH, his miss did not prove fatal.
Bauer is a fan favorite at Preston, having made a strong impact since his arrival in 2019. To say he’s been on the fringes recently would be an understatement, as he barely featured in the matchday squad last season.
Ryan Lowe had made it clear that Bauer was free to leave, yet he remains at the club and has been brought back into the squad under Heckingbottom. This marked his first appearance on the pitch since October last year, and after Jack Whatmough’s disappointing performance on Saturday, it’s understandable why the manager wanted to give the German centre-back a closer look.
Bauer was putting in a solid performance, handling everything thrown his way. Unfortunately, in the 61st minute, while bravely dealing with a dangerous Fulham attack, Bauer fell awkwardly and appeared to injure his arm or shoulder—possibly a broken collarbone at worst.
The former Charlton Athletic defender had to be substituted and looked devastated as he made his way down the tunnel.
His absence was immediately felt, as Fulham scored the equalizer shortly after he left the pitch. Bauer was seen back on the field as Preston celebrated, but he was wearing a sling.
It’s a cruel blow for a player who has faced tough times recently and was seemingly given another chance under Heckingbottom. Hopefully, his injury won’t keep him out for long, as his presence will be important this season.
**Bowler brings a missing spark**
Last season, Liam Millar provided moments of magic, but understandably, he didn’t want to play as a wing-back. Josh Bowler was Heckingbottom’s only signing in the limited time left during the transfer window.
The former Blackpool player has previously proven he can perform at this level. In his 45 minutes on the pitch last weekend, he displayed some flair and created a few chances for his teammates. On Tuesday night, he further demonstrated his technical ability, consistently troubling Ryan Sessegnon.
It was Bowler’s cross that set up Ryan Ledson’s goal, and it’s clear that with him on the field, there will be a lot of dangerous deliveries into the box.
Heckingbottom simply has to find a place for Bowler in the starting eleven going forward.
After the draw with Middlesbrough, I questioned whether club captain Ben Whiteman still deserved his spot in the starting lineup. On Tuesday, Heckingbottom opted for Ledson and Thordarson as the deeper midfielders, with goalscorer Ledson taking over the captain’s armband.
Ledson’s goal was a superb finish, perfectly timed, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. He also calmly converted two penalties, as did Whiteman, to be fair.
Under the new management, Ledson has played with a lot of fire, adding energy and tenacity to the midfield. He seems to be a more natural captain as well, and Heckingbottom faces some tough choices in central midfield.
Sunday’s match against Blackburn Rovers seems ideal for Ledson, and he’ll be full of confidence after Tuesday’s victory.
Can history be made again?
Remarkably, Preston has never progressed beyond the fourth round of the League Cup. With one record already broken, it would be great to see the Lilywhites break another in this competition.
In 2021, we reached the last 16 before losing 2-0 at home to Liverpool, and in 2016, under Simon Grayson, we were thrashed 6-0 by Newcastle United at that stage.
While many hope for a big draw, we’ve struggled to compete with top teams in recent years. Perhaps things will be different under Heckingbottom, who already has a Premier League scalp to his name.
A favorable home draw next week wouldn’t be the worst outcome. Tuesday night’s win will have given everyone a massive confidence boost, and reaching the quarter-finals would be a huge lift for both the players and fans.
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