We had the better chances, says North End boss

  • by Staff Writer
  • Sunday, 22nd July 2018

Preston manager Alex Neil believes that his side created the better goal scoring opportunities in Saturday's 2-2 pre-season friendly with West Ham.

Neil, speaking after Billy Bodin's late equaliser earned a share of the spoils for the Championship side also felt that Preston could've been celebrating a win, but for a mistake by referee Ben Toner.

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"On the balance of play, I thought we had the better chances," he said. "The 'goal' we had disallowed in the second half when Tom Clarke was ruled offside was apparently two or three yards onside.

"We scored two other goals, the second one from Billy Bodin was sensational with the way he let it come over his shoulder and brought it down. Billy had another chance after that which he perhaps should have done better with.

"Before this game we had scored 18 goals in three matches and today we got two more. We aren't struggling for chances, which is good."

Neil - who despite being just 37 is already working in a third managerial role, following spells with Hamilton and Norwich - also blamed his side's lack of concentration for allowing West Ham to score twice.

"What you notice when you play a Premier League side is their real quality," he added. "When we switched off twice in the first half, they scored their two goals. They were poor goals from our point of view, but good ones from West Ham's.

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"In the second half however I thought we were much more in control of the match, pinning them back for long spells."

Both of West Ham's goals came from Marko Arnautovic, who twice put West Ham into the lead only to see Preston equalise on both occasions. You may see Arnautovic's two goals here.

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