Sunderland have played Preston 125 times, and have secured 55 wins, 34 draws, and 36 defeats. Here are some of our most notable results…
SUNDERLAND 4-1 PRESTON NORTH END - DIVISION 1 - 1892
On the 12th of March 1892, Tom Watson’s Lads were hosting Preston at Newcastle Road. John Auld struck first when he made it 1-0 in the 7th minute. That was followed by a Johnny Campbell goal, Sunderland were well and truly on top. Jimmy Ross pulled one back two minutes later, and PNE were back in it. The first half ended 2-1, it was a solid display from Sunderland. In the 65th minute, Auld secured his brace and put the Lads 3-1 up. Davy Hannah wrapped things up five minutes later, and the game ended 4-1. Sunderland went on to secure their first league title later that season.
PRESTON NORTH END 5-2 SUNDERLAND - DIVISION 1 - 1920
Robert Kyle’s Lads travelled to Deepdale, and took on Vincent Hayes’ Lilywhites. However, things didn’t exactly go to plan. Roland Woodhouse scored in the fifth minute for Preston, which was followed by a Tommy Roberts goal to make it 2-0. Peter Quinn scored the third and the Lads went into half time 3-0 down. Sunderland were getting battered. Tommy Roberts secured his brace in the 55th minute, then Joe McCall made it 5-0 10 minutes later. Thankfully, the Lads showed a bit of fight in the dying embers of the game. Charlie Crossley pulled one back in the 85th minute, then Barney Travers got on the scoresheet in the 88th minute. It was a really poor result for Sunderland.
SUNDERLAND 4-3 PRESTON NORTH END - DIVISION 2 - 1971
It was the 25th of September 1971, Alan Browne’s Black cats were hosting Alan Barr’s Preston at Roker Park. Richie Pitt put the Lads 1-0 up in the third minute, and the game was off to a flying start. Bobby Ham equalised six minutes later, and the away end went wild. Dennis Tueart fired Sunderland in front in the 41st minute, he then bagged his second three minutes later. The first half ended 3-1, and the Sunderland faithful were having a great time. The second half began, and Preston were dominating. They won a penalty in the 52nd minute, and Hugh Mcllmoyle slotted it home. Bobby Ham levelled things up in the 65th minute, when he secured his brace. It looked like the Lads had bottled a two goal lead. However, Jimmy Hamilton made it 4-3 to Sunderland in the 85th minute and the Mackems went crazy. The game ended 4-3, and needless to say it was action packed.
PRESTON NORTH END 3-2 SUNDERLAND - CHAMPIONSHIP - 2005
On new year's day, the Mackems travelled to the North West to take on Preston North End. The Lilywhites were managed by Billy Davies, while Sunderland were under Mick McCarthy. PNE forward Richard Cresswell stole the show. He scored his first goal in the 13th minute, to put Preston in front. He then secured his brace in the 30th minute, and that was followed by his hattrick in the 43rd. He was on fire. The Lads went into half time 3-0 down, so a big response was needed. Stephen Elliot pulled one back in the 72nd minute, and Sunderland were back in it. After that, Sean Thornton scored in the 81st minute, but it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback and the game ended 3-2.
PRESTON NORTH END 0-3 SUNDERLAND - CHAMPIONSHIP - 2023
Thousands of Sunderland fans travelled to Deepdale knowing that a win could potentially lift them into the play-offs, but a 2-2 draw to Watford the week prior left Sunderland's fate in the hands of Millwall. If the Lions were able to beat Blackburn then they would finish in the top six. The first half was goalless in Preston, meanwhile Millwall were 3-1 up at half time. Two of those goals were scored by former Sunderland man Duncan Watmore and it looked like Sunderland's play-off dreams were over. However, The Lads kept pushing and the goals started coming. Amad broke the deadlock, Pritchard made it two, and Clarke put the nail in Preston's coffin. Meanwhile, Blackburn had completed the ultimate comeback and won 4-3. Millwall had bottled it and the Lads finished in the top six. Thank you Ben Brereton-Diaz!
PRESTON NORTH END 2-0 SUNDERLAND - LEAGUE CUP - 2024
Our latest game against Preston was our annual frustrating first round exit of the League Cup. The game was actually pretty even in terms of the stats, with us having 54% of the possession and the home side having seven shots on target to our six. As is often the case in this competition though, our opponents took their chances and we just didn't. Ryan Ledson opened the scoring towards the end of the first half and, with twenty minutes remaining, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen put the result beyond doubt. Oh well, there's always next year to finally reach the second round.
