Preston triumphs in thrilling penalty shoot-out against Castagne

In a thrilling encounter, Preston North End faced Fulham in the Carabao Cup, with the match concluding in a 1-1 draw after regular time. Ryan Ledson opened the scoring for Preston with a stunning 20-yard volley in the 35th minute, but Fulham equalized shortly after through Reiss Nelson, who converted a cross from Ryan Sessegnon in the 61st minute. The match progressed to a penalty shoot-out after neither team could find a winner in extra time. The penalty shoot-out was a tense affair, with both teams converting their first 16 penalties successfully. However, the shoot-out took a dramatic turn when Timothy Castagne missed his attempt, ballooning the ball over the bar. This miss set the stage for Ledson to step up and secure victory for Preston by sending Fulham's goalkeeper, Steven Benda, the wrong way. Ledson's performance was particularly noteworthy as he had already scored in the previous cup match, making it two goals in two games this season. The match showcased the depth of both squads, with managers Marco Silva and Paul Heckingbottom rotating their line-ups, highlighting the competitive nature of the cup. Ultimately, Preston's victory not only eliminated Fulham from the tournament but also demonstrated their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, much to the delight of their supporters at Deepdale. This win will boost their confidence as they progress further in the competition.