On May 2, 2026, Southampton beat Preston North End 3-1 at Deepdale. This victory solidifies Southampton’s spot in the Championship play-offs. Meanwhile, Preston finishes the season in mid-table.
Southampton opened the scoring early. Taylor Harwood-Bellis netted the first goal after just 12 minutes. Their control of the match was evident from the start.
As the game progressed into the second half, Ross Stewart doubled Southampton’s lead. His goal came shortly after halftime, putting pressure on Preston to respond.
Preston managed to pull one back through Lewis Dobbin. He scored in an effort to reignite hope for his team.
However, Cyle Larin sealed Southampton’s win with a goal in injury time. This final strike confirmed their dominance in the match.
With this win, Southampton secured fourth place in the Championship with a total of 80 points. They finished strong, having gone unbeaten in their last five matches.
In contrast, Preston North End ended up with 60 points, placing them 12th overall. Their mixed form included only two wins in five matches leading up to this game.
Ryan Manning nearly added another goal for Southampton when he struck the post with a free-kick late in the game. The match showcased Southampton’s attacking prowess, as they scored a total of 79 goals this season compared to Preston’s 54.
