Keane brace puts Preston at north end of Championship
A Will Keane double secured Preston North End its fourth successive league win as it rose to the EFL Championship summit with a 2-0 victory at Stoke City.
The summer recruit from Wigan Athletic netted a quick-fire brace early in the second half as the Lilywhites’ unbeaten start continued.
Half-time substitute Duane Holmes orchestrated the Preston knockout blow, firstly winning a penalty which Keane converted.
The United States international was provider again for Keane’s second as he teed up his strike partner for an easy tap-in.
A new-look Potters side, whose busy deadline day took their summer additions to 18, offered little in resistance as their four-match winning run at home was ended.
Boss Alex Neil, who spent just shy of four years in the Preston hotseat, tried to rouse a fightback from his shell-shocked side, but the tortured home support had to wait until the 77th minute to see a first shot on target, but it was far too little too late.
