Four ups and one down as Tom Cannon inspires Preston North End win over QPR

Reflections on Good Friday’s clash at Loftus Road as the Everton loan man shone again

Ups

Tommy Cannon, baby

There will have been plenty of doubt as to how Preston North End would replace previous loan star Cameron Archer. It turns out they’ve found another one, who is well on course to now top Archer’s seven goals in Preston colours. Tom Cannon is hitting the form of his life at the perfect time, with it five goals his last five outings. The finishes at Loftus Road were magnificent – the first a delicate and delightfully placed header, before racing through and finishing with real conviction. He had to wait a while to get up and running, but Cannon has not looked back since. He’s loving his loan spell at Deepdale and will play a massive part in the final six matches, as PNE aim to push into those play-off places.

Big second half performance

It’s the type of away venue where you often have to negotiate the opening exchanges, given how tight the pitch is and how little space there is to operate in. PNE did just that and then started to impose themselves on proceedings. Ryan Lowe’s side probably should’ve been ahead at the break, with three or four good chances falling their way – though QPR admittedly had a golden one at the other end through Ilias Chair. But you could see a nervousness about the home side, and post-match Gareth Ainsworth spoke at length about a mental fragility in his squad. North End played on that and really took the game to the Rs, with the midfield bringing great control and dominance. And luckily, PNE have a striker who can do no wrong at the minute. He was there to convert the chances – and make it a memorable away day in the capital. The Lilywhites never let QPR back into the game and took a big three points home.

Josh Onomah impresses

Daniel Johnson and Ben Whiteman were superb in the middle of the park, but it was North End’s number 17 who caught the eye in there the most. It’s been a waiting game for Josh Onomah since his January arrival, with Lowe admitting that the ex-Fulham man was six weeks behind on fitness. After Blackpool, the Preston boss described Onomah as ‘strong, powerful, leaner and fitter’ – and that was clear for all to see in London. Lowe turned to Onomah when making his enforced first half change and the 25-year-old did not let the Liverpudlian down. His work off the ball was intense and on it, he looked the best player on the pitch at times – his quality, skill and flair on full show. Onomah carried a real threat in and around the box and combined with Johnson beautifully. This is a player who has played at the highest level and, for the first time, we saw a very real, exciting glimpse as to what he could bring to the table.