Preston North End 0-1 Wigan Athletic Player Ratings: Harrison Bettoni's Winner Gives Latics Narrow Victory

Preston North End faced Wigan Athletic in a closely fought FA Cup tie marked by discipline and few clear chances. Preston controlled possession and pressed higher up the pitch, but lacked cutting edge in the final third. Wigan remained compact and organised, relying on counter-attacks to create danger.

Key moments included an early Preston chance saved by the Wigan goalkeeper, a strong defensive block to deny Wigan midway through the first half, and late pressure from the hosts as they searched for a decisive goal. Both sides showed intensity, reflecting the importance of the occasion. Harrison Bettoni's only goal sealed the game for the visitors as Wigan Athletic claimed a close win. Here are Preston North End vs Wigan Athletic Player Ratings from the FA Cup match:

Key Takeaways:

1. Harrison Bettoni scored the decisive goal to give Wigan Athletic the lead.
2. Preston missed an early opportunity after a strong save from the Wigan goalkeeper.
3. Wigan defended resolutely to hold off late pressure from Preston.

Wigan Athletic Player Ratings vs Preston North End

Check out Wigan Athletic Player Ratings from the FA Cup game:

Goalkeeper

Sam Tickle - 7.0: A solid performance from the man between the sticks. He made two crucial saves inside the box to keep his clean sheet intact. From our perspective, his command of the area was decent. While his long-ball distribution wasn't the best, with only 37% finding their target, he did his primary job effectively. You can't ask for more than a clean sheet in a tough away cup tie.

Defenders

Morgan Fox - 7.0: We noticed Fox had a really steady game on the left side of the back three. He contributed with two blocked shots and a couple of important clearances. He wasn't spectacular in possession, but he was solid and didn't make any glaring errors. He won all of his ground duels, showing a real determination not to be beaten by his man.

Will Aimson - 7.5: What a performance from Aimson. He seemed to be a magnet for the ball, making a massive seven clearances throughout the game. What stood out to us was not just his defensive work; he also created a big chance for his team. He was a vocal organizer at the back and was instrumental in securing the clean sheet. A real leader's display.

James Carragher - 7.0: The captain put in a proper shift. Like his defensive partners, he was incredibly busy, racking up nine clearances. He kept the Preston attackers frustrated for most of the match. While his passing could have been a bit tidier, his defensive contribution was undeniable. He led by example with his commitment and positioning.

Midfielders

Jensen Weir - 6.5: A battling, if unspectacular, performance from Weir in the midfield. He did his defensive duties well, winning all his tackles and making a couple of interceptions. However, we felt he was a bit loose on the ball, losing it 11 times. He worked tirelessly for the team, but lacked a bit of quality in the final third.

Matthew Smith - 7.0: This was a classic case of an unsung hero's performance. Smith was exceptional in breaking up play, with a staggering 13 ball recoveries. His pass accuracy of 83% shows how tidy he was in possession, keeping things simple and effective. He provided the screen that allowed the defence to thrive. A very disciplined and intelligent game.

Raphael Borges Rodrigues - 6.5: A mixed bag from the midfielder. He showed glimpses of his talent, winning a good number of his duels and getting stuck in with three tackles. However, he struggled to make a consistent impact on the game offensively. From our perspective, he seemed to fade in and out of the match, but his work rate was commendable.

Joseph Hungbo - 6.0: It was a frustrating night for Hungbo, who couldn't seem to get anything going. Only one of his five crosses found a teammate, and he lost possession 18 times. He tracked back and helped out defensively, but going forward, his final product was seriously lacking. We expected more from him in an attacking sense.

Forwards

Callum Wright - 6.5: A truly bizarre game for Wright. He provided the crucial assist for the winning goal, a moment of real quality in a tight game. But then, he had the chance to seal the victory and fluffed his lines, missing a penalty in the 84th minute. He also missed another big chance earlier on. His assist was vital, but the penalty miss brings his rating down significantly.

Dara Costelloe - 5.5: A really tough evening for the forward. He was physically dominated, losing 12 of his 16 duels. He committed five fouls and picked up a silly yellow card for simulation. He just couldn't get into the game or hold the ball up effectively. A night to forget for him personally, despite the team's success.

Harrison Bettoni - 8.0: The match-winner. In a game of few clear-cut chances, he provided the one moment of clinical finishing that made all the difference. His left-footed strike was superb. It was a massive shame that he was forced off with an injury just minutes after his goal. For his decisive contribution, he was Wigan's best player on the park.

Substitutes

Maleace Asamoah - 7.5: What an impact. Came on in the 78th minute and immediately won his side a penalty with his direct running. He was a constant threat, forcing two excellent saves from the goalkeeper. Looked incredibly sharp and dangerous.

Christian Saydee - N/A: Brought on in stoppage time to help see out the game.

Manager

R. Lowe - 8.0: He got his tactics absolutely spot on. He set his team up to be resilient, organized, and hard to beat. They frustrated Preston North End and took their chance on the counter-attack perfectly. His substitution of Asamoah was inspired. A brilliant away victory masterminded by the manager.

Preston North End Player Ratings vs Wigan Athletic

Check out Preston North End Player Ratings from the FA Cup fixture:

Goalkeeper

Daniel Iversen - 7.5: He was excellent and can't be faulted for the loss. The penalty save was a brilliant moment of athleticism and game-reading. He made two other key saves, including a great stop late on to keep his team's hopes alive. His distribution was also fantastic, with 87% accuracy. He did everything he possibly could.

Defenders

Liam Lindsay - 8.0: An absolutely colossal performance at the back. It feels almost criminal that he was on the losing side. With 18 clearances and 11 duels won, he was a one-man wall at times. What stood out to us was that he even created two chances, showing his quality on the ball too. A truly dominant display that deserved more.

Jordan Storey - 6.5: A solid, if unspectacular, partner to Lindsay. He made three interceptions and was generally well-positioned throughout. He wasn't tested as much as Lindsay but did his job without any fuss. He did get caught offside once which was a bit strange for a centre-back. A decent performance.

Lewis Gibson - 6.0: Only played the first half before being substituted. During his 45 minutes, he was very tidy, boasting a 91% pass completion rate and winning most of his duels. It was a surprise to see him taken off, but it seemed a tactical switch. He did nothing wrong.

Midfielders

Pol Valentín - 5.0: A difficult night for the wing-back. He was energetic and tried to get forward, but his night will be remembered for the clumsy challenge that gave away the penalty. It was a moment of panic that could have cost his team a second goal. A harsh lesson in a big FA Cup game.

Alistair Edward McCann - 7.0: The captain led from the middle of the park. He was the hub of his team, dictating play with an impressive 91% pass accuracy. He was always looking to make things happen, creating three chances for his teammates. It was a performance full of class and effort, but ultimately he couldn't find the key to unlock the Wigan defence.

Jordan Andrew Thompson - 6.5: A very busy performance from Thompson. He was involved all over the pitch, making tackles and trying to force the issue with his passing. His delivery from set-pieces was decent, but he also picked up a booking for a poor challenge. A solid all-round game without being a standout.

Thierry Small - 6.0: He worked hard up and down the left flank but, from our perspective, his final ball let him down too often. He put in a good defensive shift with four tackles but was wasteful in possession at times. An energetic but ultimately frustrating performance.

Forwards

Daniel Jebbison - 5.5: He really struggled to make any sort of impact on the match. He was isolated up front and lost the physical battle with the Wigan centre-backs. He was substituted after 65 minutes without registering a single shot. A very quiet and ineffective outing.

Mads Frøkjaer-Jensen - 5.5: Much like his forward partner, he was largely anonymous. He lost possession 15 times and failed to create any danger for the opposition. It was no surprise to see him hooked just after the hour mark. He just couldn't get into the rhythm of the game at all.

Lewis Dobbin - 6.0: In the first half, he looked the most likely of Preston's attackers to score. He had three shots and got into some dangerous positions. However, none of them tested the keeper, and his influence waned as the game went on. A promising start that faded away.

Substitutes

Andrew Hughes - 6.0: Came on at half-time and was solid and dependable at the back.

Michael Smith - 5.5: Offered a physical presence but missed a good headed chance that he should have done better with.

Milutin Osmajic - 5.0: Spurned a huge chance late in the game, failing to hit the target from a good position.

Alfie Devine - 6.5: Looked bright and lively when he came on, forcing a save almost immediately. A positive cameo.

Brad Potts - 6.0: Brought his usual energy but couldn't provide the spark needed for an equalizer.

Manager

P. Heckingbottom - 5.5: A disappointing day at the office for the Preston manager. His team had plenty of the ball but looked bereft of ideas in the final third. The starting forwards were ineffective, and his substitutions failed to change the course of the match. He'll be frustrated that his side couldn't break down a well-drilled opponent at home.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match goes to Harrison Bettoni of Wigan Athletic.