Match report
Preston Defeats Portsmouth 1-0 in Championship Clash
Preston
1–0
FT
Portsmouth
Feb 7, 2026
Preston held off a determined Portsmouth side to secure a crucial win in the Championship. The decisive moment came early as Alistair Devine netted on the back of an assist from Aleksandar Vukcevic, setting the tone for Preston's defensive solidity throughout the match.
Key Facts
- • Preston defeated Portsmouth 1-0 in a Championship match.
- • Alistair Devine scored the only goal at the 40th minute with an assist from Aleksandar Vukcevic.
- • Portsmouth made multiple substitutions but could not break through Preston's defense.
- • Two yellow cards were shown to Preston players Alistair McCann and J. Thompson.
Lineups
Preston
Formation: 4-4-2
Starting XI
- 13 D. Cornell (G)
- 42 O. Offiah (D)
- 14 J. Storey (D)
- 19 L. Gibson (D)
- 3 A. Vukcevic (D)
- 26 T. Small (M)
- 8 A. McCann (M)
- 4 B. Whiteman (M)
- 21 A. Devine (M)
- 17 L. Dobbin (F)
- 22 M. Lukovic (F)
Substitutes
- 12 J. Walton
- 2 P. Valentin
- 15 J. Thompson
- 18 J. Lewis
- 23 A. Moran
- 24 M. Smith
- 34 K. Nelson
- 35 N. Mawene
- 36 E. Nolan
Portsmouth
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 1 N. Schmid (G)
- 24 T. Devlin (D)
- 5 R. Poole (D)
- 3 C. Ogilvie (D)
- 22 Z. Swanson (D)
- 21 A. Dozzell (M)
- 38 E. Adams (M)
- 10 A. Segecic (M)
- 36 C. Chaplin (M)
- 27 M. Alli (M)
- 40 J. Brown (F)
Substitutes
- 26 J. Bursik
- 2 J. Williams
- 7 M. Pack
- 8 J. Swift
- 16 L. Le Roux
- 17 I. Bowat
- 25 M. Kirk
- 34 A. Alese
- 47 G. Caballero
Timeline
-
40' Preston Goal · Normal GoalA. Devine · Assist: A. Vukcevic -
46' Preston subst · Substitution 1Off: M. Lukovic · On: M. Smith -
59' Preston subst · Substitution 2Off: A. Vukcevic · On: P. Valentin -
69' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 1Off: C. Chaplin · On: M. Pack -
69' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 2Off: J. Brown · On: M. Kirk -
71' Preston Card · Yellow CardAlistair McCannFoul
-
76' Preston subst · Substitution 3Off: Alistair McCann · On: J. Thompson -
79' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 3Off: A. Dozzell · On: G. Caballero -
86' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 4Off: A. Segecic · On: John Swift -
86' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 5Off: Z. Swanson · On: A. Alese -
87' Preston subst · Substitution 4Off: L. Dobbin · On: A. Moran -
89' Preston Card · Yellow CardJ. ThompsonTime wasting
-
90' Portsmouth Card · Yellow CardA. AleseFoul
Match Stats
| Stat | Preston | Portsmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 15 | 11 |
| Pass Accuracy | 69% | 79% |
| Offsides | 2 | 3 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 7 | 12 |
| Corners | 2 | 14 |
| Total Passes | 253 | 424 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 1 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 7 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 4 |
| xG | 0.57 | 1.20 |
| Shots off Target | 1 | 1 |
| Possession | 37% | 63% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 174 | 333 |
| Shots Inside Box | 5 | 9 |
| Saves | 4 | 2 |
| Shots Outside Box | 2 | 3 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ The early goal by Alistair Devine in the 40th minute was pivotal, giving Preston a lead they would not relinquish.
- ▸ Portsmouth made several substitutions to boost their attack but failed to convert opportunities into goals.