Preston Shocks Burnley, Advances to FA Cup Quarter-Finals

Deepdale, England — Preston North End celebrated a monumental victory on Saturday, March 1, 2025, by defeating Burnley 3-0 in the FA Cup, marking their first quarter-final appearance since 1966. The hosts showcased a dominant performance that left the visiting team struggling to contain their attacks.

Milutin Osmajic, who has been at the center of controversy this season, played a critical role in Preston’s success, scoring one of the match’s goals. Robbie Brady‘s splendid free-kick opening the score in the 31st minute paved the way for their advancement in the tournament. The match highlighted the gap between the two teams in the Championship standings, with Burnley currently in third place compared to Preston’s fifteenth.

“It feels amazing to finally advance in the Cup after so many years,” said Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom post-match. “The players delivered a fantastic performance and showed their determination to succeed.”

Burnley’s defense, known for its solidity, faltered significantly during the match. The team, arguably weakened by key player absences, struggled to regain its rhythm. Burnley manager Scott Parker had opted for a cautious approach, which backfired as his side quickly fell two goals behind.

Brady’s free-kick, executed flawlessly, beat goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky in the top corner of the net, igniting the home crowd at Deepdale. The Republic of Ireland international refrained from celebrating against his former club, noting, “It was important for us to get that goal early and build momentum.”

Osmajic capitalized on a defensive mix-up, doubling Preston’s lead just before halftime. Following a sequence that bypassed the Burnley defense, Osmajic slotted the ball under Hladky, solidifying his impact in a match laden with tension. Following his goal, Osmajic cupped his ears to the section of Burnley fans who had booed him when entering the field.

The second half saw minimal improvement for Burnley, although they had chances to claw back into the game. Kaine Kesler-Hayden missed a crucial opportunity early in the half, shooting over the bar after a swift Preston counter-attack led by Osmajic.

Preston sealed their fate with a third goal in the 79th minute through Will Keane, who netted a close-range finish after an exceptional setup by teammate Andrew Hughes. This goal laid rest to any lingering hopes for a thrilling comeback by Burnley.

The defeat clears the way for Preston to focus on future rounds in the FA Cup, which they have not progressed to in nearly six decades. Heckingbottom expressed hopes that this win could serve as a turning point for his squad. “Let’s build on this momentum,” he emphasized. “We have the quality to go even further.”

The loss adds to Burnley’s challenges as they regroup to address their defensive vulnerabilities and aim to regain form in the Championship. Parker summed up the day’s disappointing result, stating, “We have to reassess and understand what went wrong today, and this will be a learning experience for the team going forward.”