Preston 1-1 Fulham: Ched Evans nets second-half equaliser at Deepdale
- Published
- comments
Preston sub Ched Evans' controversial equaliser against Fulham was his second goal in five days
Preston North End came from behind to take a point as they drew at home to Championship leaders Fulham.
Tim Ream's 15th-minute strike, his first goal in almost four years, earned Marco Silva's men a deserved first-half lead.
Jean Michael Seri swung over a dangerous free-kick from the right and Ream arrived at the near post to poke home on the volley.
But North End hit back to dominate the second half, although their 72nd-minute equaliser was a touch controversial as they survived two potential shouts for handball.
Substitute Ched Evans made an undetected run to meet Ben Whiteman's inswinging left-wing corner, his header cannoned into the arm of team-mate Emil Riis, then ended up being helped into the back of the net off Evans' own upper arm.
Tim Ream's goal at Deepdale was only his third in 227 games for Fulham - and his first since Boxing Day 2017
It was Evans' second goal in five days after also coming off the bench to equalise in Tuesday's 2-1 win at Middlesbrough.
Having improved towards the of the first half, Preston almost levelled early in the second when Tosin Adarabioyo blocked from close-range after Sean Maguire had flicked on Whiteman's free-kick, awarded for Antonee Robinson's crude challenge on Tom Barkhuizen.
Riis, with a curler, and Ali McCann with a shot narrowly wide, also threatened prior to Evans' equaliser - and home skipper Alan Browne then drove an angled effort just over - but a draw was the fairest outcome.
After being held to a second successive draw, Fulham could have been toppled from the head of the Championship, but 10-man Bournemouth surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw at home to Coventry City.
Fulham host the Cherries in next Friday's top-of-the-table encounter, while mid-table Preston remain in Lancashire in local derby action next Saturday against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
Preston boss Frankie McAvoy told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"It was the least we deserved on the balance of play. I know there was a wee bit of controversy about our goal but I've seen it back and I'm not sure it was that bad.
"You always get some decisions that go your way and some you don't. I thought the challenge on Tommy Barkhuizen might have been a red card, not a yellow. He might have to have an X-ray.
"I'm just disappointed that we conceded from a set-piece. That puts you on the back foot. But I always thought we'd get chances - and it was great for Ched to come off the bench and score again. He's such a threat."
Fulham boss Marco Silva:
"That was a big mistake from the referee and the linesman. There was an elbow in there and then a clear handball before the ball goes over the line. It's difficult for us to accept, but again the referee had a bad performance.
"We've ended up losing two points, and it's not been our fault again. We had a similar situation against Coventry. But it's still an important point.
"It was a really tough game for us, but that's just what we expected. It's been a really difficult week for us, having to play until 10pm on Wednesday night and then coming here for an early Saturday match.
"That isn't an excuse though. It should be up to us to create more problems for the opposition."