Southampton secured a top-four finish with a decisive 3-1 victory over Preston North End at Deepdale on May 2, 2026. The win solidified Southampton’s position in the play-off places of the Championship.
The match began with an early goal from Southampton. Wellington assisted Harwood-Bellis, who scored in the 12th minute. This set the tone for Southampton’s dominance.
In the second half, Southampton doubled their lead. They displayed strong offensive play, pushing Preston on the back foot.
Preston managed to score after a mistake by goalkeeper Peretz. Dobbin found the net, giving Preston a glimmer of hope.
However, Larin responded for Southampton in injury time. His goal secured the win and highlighted Southampton’s attacking prowess throughout the match.
Ryan Manning nearly added another goal for Southampton but struck the post with a free-kick at the end of the game.
As it stands now, Preston North End is currently 12th in the Championship. They have scored 54 goals and conceded 59 this season, totaling 60 points.
In contrast, Southampton sits in 5th place with 77 points and has scored 79 goals this season. They are currently unbeaten in their last four league matches.
This result is significant for both teams. For Southampton, it secures their place in the play-offs as they aim for promotion to the Premier League.
The reverse fixture saw Preston winning 2-0 in November. This latest outcome emphasizes the competitive nature of their encounters in this season’s Championship.
