Bolron Wanderers win on return to the Championship

Bolton Wanderers 2 - 1 Preston North End

It was a great day for Bolton on their return to the 2nd tier of English football

Author | Curtis R

Stadium | Toughsheet Stadium

Thierry Gale scored a stunning breakaway goal as Bolton marked their return to the Championship after a seven-year absence with an impressive victory over a lacklustre Preston North End.

A closer analysis of what happened

Last season's League One play-off winners set the tone with greater pace and cohesion from the outset, and Sam Dalby put them ahead after 15 minutes when he followed up to score from the rebound.

Gale doubled Bolton's advantage before half-time, curling the ball into the net from John McAtee's pass after the hosts broke forward following a Preston throw-in.

Bolton on the attack

Preston's Jusef Erabi gave the home side some nervous moments when he headed home from close range with five minutes remaining, while Liam Lindsay missed a golden opportunity to rescue a point in the fourth minute of added time, somehow heading over.

Wanderers held firm through the closing seconds to secure their first league victory over Preston in seven games. Preston, meanwhile, have now failed to win their opening league match of a season since beating QPR 1-0 in 2018-19.