Match Overview
On 22 August 2026, Wolverhampton Wanderers lifted the trophy of a long-awaited victory by defeating Preston 3-1 at Deepdale. The win was the club’s first league triumph of the season and snapped a 489-day away win drought that had stretched back to the previous season.
Key Moments
The match opened with a dominant Wolves side, but it was Fer Lopez who stole the spotlight. Lopez netted a double, the first goal coming in the 23rd minute and the second in the 45th minute, giving Wolves a 2-0 lead before the break. A late substitute, Adam Armstrong, added a third in the 68th minute, cementing the 3-1 result.
Preston managed to pull one back early in the second half, but the Wolves’ defence held firm. The only goal conceded came from a defensive lapse in the 32nd minute, a moment that left Wolves’ manager Cesar Peixoto visibly frustrated.
Peixoto’s Reaction
After the final whistle, Peixoto told BBC Radio WM: “I’m happy with the performance, in the first half more difficult, a little bit more difficult, but we have the best chances. In the second half we managed well the pressure of the opponent and we played like I want with the ball - attract the team and expose the spaces. I think we can score more. I’m a little angry because we concede one goal and I don’t want to concede one goal, I want a clean sheet. It’s normal. But it was a good game for us.”
He added, “Congratulations for the players, thank you to our supporters because you help us to win these three points. A lot of people came to support the team. It’s very important we stay together. The Championship is very tough and we need all the people around us to support and we need three points.”
The win is a morale boost for Wolves as they navigate a challenging Championship season. The club’s supporters, who travelled to Deepdale in large numbers, were praised by Peixoto for their role in securing the victory.
