The 25-year-old Denmark global grabbed his first North End goal to open the scoring at the Vitality Stadium before Bournemouth, showing 11 changes from their defeat at Manchester City, struck back.
Advertisement
Simon Makienok grabbed his first of the night on 11 minutes with a thunderous strike to put Simon Grayson’s men ahead.
“I don’t give these opportunities lightly”. We didn’t play with our usual energy and enthusiasm and we got what we deserved.
“My first season in the Championship gave me a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge of how it is to play in England, how it is to play in this league because it is so competitive”.
Preston also made wholesale changes for the clash on the south coast as only full-back Greg Cunningham survived from their 5-0 defeat at Brentford at the weekend.
Gradel and substitute Lys Mousset both had good shots saved by Maxwell before Makienok completed his hat-trick and sent Preston through as he cutely lofted over Federici, who could only get a palm to the ball as it looped up into the goal.
However they bounced back with aplomb last night after they managed to beat Premier League side Bournemouth in the EFL Cup.
Eddie Howe made 11 changes to the team thumped at Manchester City on Saturday but still had a squad that cost more than £50 million at his disposal.
“We were playing a strong side even though they changed a lot of players”.
“The performances need to echo consistency, week-in-week-out, regardless of who they are”.
Granit Xhaka (23′) fired the Gunners in front midway through the first half and Perez extended their lead on the hour mark to get off the mark for his new club before adding his second from the penalty spot on 71 minutes, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (90′) wrapping up the win in stoppage time.
“Very early in the game I think it was very evident there was something not quite right with us”.
Advertisement
Makeniok opened the scoring for the visitors after 10 minutes, but were pegged back by Lewis Grabban and Dan Gosling.
