Wolves score three at Preston for first away win in 16 months

Wolves finally ended their away day hoodoo - winning their first league game on their travels in 16 months - with victory at Preston North End.

Fer Lopez opened the scoring in style after just eight minutes with a solo run and smart finish.

Wolves were organised defensively as they repelled any attempt at a Preston resurgence before Adam Armstrong stepped off the bench to calmly add the second before Lopez notched Wolves’ third with another cool finish.

Jordan Thompson got a late consolation goal for the hosts with a superb effort from distance.

But Wolves comfortably saw the game out and it marked Cesar Peixoto’s first Championship win as Wolves boss and the club’s first league win away from home since April 20, 2025, when they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Analysis

Wolves got an early grip of the game by taking the lead inside just eight minutes, through tremendous work by Lopez.

The Spaniard turned his man on halfway and had acres of space to run into down the right flank. Shambolic defending from Preston saw no man close him down and he raced into the box before smashing the ball into the back of the net at the near post.

Wolves were opening the hosts up with every attack and came close to a second when Jackson Tchatchoua crossed low from the right and Raul Jimenez’s ambitious flick was inches wide of the post.

The match then settled down and for a period of time Wolves were required to do some defending, but they dealt with everything well as the game reached the half-hour mark.

Wolves were happy to sit on their lead and did not press for a second, although Rodrigo Gomes came close when he forced goalkeeper Daniel Iversen into a save on the stroke of half-time.

Mateus Mane then had his follow-up blocked, as Wolves led 1-0 at the break.

As the second half got under way, Wolves came close to doubling their lead when the ball was switched to R.Gomes on the left and he cut it back for Mane, who shot through the crowd but saw his effort palmed away.

Wolves still had control of the game and 20 minutes from time they doubled their lead.

A lovely passage of play saw Jimenez play a smart pass inside the box to complete the one-two for substitute Armstrong, who took a touch before finishing calmly.

Lopez then added his second and Wolves’ third in the 82nd minute with a good finish at the back post after progressive work from Mane on the left.

The 5,600-strong away end were enjoying a much-needed win as Wolves threatened to score again in the closing stages, but it was Preston that grabbed one back through Thompson’s stunning finish from distance, as the game ended 3-1.

Key Moments

GOAL 8 Lopez gives Wolves an early lead

GOAL 71 Armstrong doubles Wolves’ lead

GOAL 82 Lopez adds some shine to the win with a third

GOAL 90+1 Thompson nets for Preston

Teams

Wolves: Sa, Tchatchoua, Djiga, Toti, H.Bueno (Wolfe, 85), Andre (Traore, 79), Munetsi (Doyle, 67), R.Gomes (Armstrong, 67), Lopez, Mane, Jimenez (James, 79).

Subs not used: Johnstone, S.Bueno, Lima, Chirewa.

Preston: Iversen, Clarke, Lindsay (Gibson, 65), Devine, McCann, Erabi (Small, 65), Lang (Gryba, 76), Storey, Hughes, Leroy (Thompson, 77), Burgzorg.

Subs not used: Nicholls, Valentin, Vukcevic, Moran, Nolan.