Lancashire | Late Preston comeback stuns Sheffield United

Preston North End 3 - 2 Sheffield United

Daniel Jebbison struck the decisive blow against his former club to complete a remarkable Preston North End comeback in a gripping Championship encounter.

Author | Andrew Montgomery 

Stadium | Deepdale

Pictures from around the ground

Preston's striker, currently on-loan from Bournemouth, powered a header beyond Michael Cooper to lift the home side back into the top six and halt Sheffield United’s two-match winning run.

For much of the first half, it looked a very different story. Andre Brooks and Callum O’Hare had given Chris Wilder’s side a commanding 2-0 lead, seemingly putting the visitors on course for a comfortable afternoon.

Lewis Dobbin’s finish in first half stoppage time offered Preston a glimmer of hope, though, and within a minute of the restart parity was restored when United captain Japhet Tanganga sliced a clearance into his own net. Jebbison then sealed the turnaround with a powerful header to spark celebrations in the Lancashire rain.

A dramatic Friday night in Preston

Preston, beaten twice in the past week by West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City, were left to reflect on costly defensive lapses after a bright start faded. The Blades needed only their first meaningful attack to go in front, Tyrese Campbell turning sharply before slipping Brooks through to finish calmly for his first goal of the season.

United’s travelling supporters revelled in the moment, chanting about “the gap” to rivals Sheffield Wednesday, who were earlier docked 12 points after entering administration. Their mood grew even more buoyant when O’Hare latched onto another Campbell pass, stepped around Harrison Armstrong and rolled in a composed finish for 2-0.

Preston looked short of ideas and then lost Lewis Gibson to injury. Yet the match swung just before the interval, Jebbison combining with Armstrong to set up Dobbin, who shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled confidently into the far corner.

Less than a minute into the second period Preston were level. Jordan Storey climbed to meet a deep free-kick and his header fell to Tanganga, who inadvertently bundled the ball beyond Cooper as he attempted to control it.

Deepdale erupted, Preston’s energy surged and United appeared rattled. Jebbison missed one opportunity, sending a shot over the bar, but made no mistake when Andrija Vukcevic burst beyond Tanganga and delivered a pinpoint cross for him to attack.

It was a cathartic moment for the striker, who made only 35 appearances in four seasons at Bramall Lane, and for Paul Heckingbottom, dismissed to enable Wilder’s return despite guiding the Blades to the Premier League three years ago.

Alfie Devine twice threatened to extend the lead, though United rallied late on. Djibril Soumare and Harrison Burrows both spurned promising openings, while Michael Smith failed to convert a clear chance at the other end, ensuring the points remained in Preston.

The Sheffield United perspective

Thank you for all of your support tonight, Blades.

Have a safe journey home. pic.twitter.com/faPA3l7Vqa

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 24, 2025

Terry was in the away end. He told us: "That was deeply frustrating. No team, when 2-0 up and that much in control, should be losing that match. Preston will not believe their luck. We switched off in the final minute of the first half and the first minute of the second half. All our great play counted for nothing. We were so good, we could have been three or four up at half time and to think we got nothing for that is ludicrous."