Emil Riis said his and Preston North End team-mates’ promotion dream is still alive after he scored the only goal of the game in the 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion at Deepdale.
The Dane netted the only goal of the game after just seven minutes, smartly converting from Alvaro Fernandez’ clever cross from the left flank.
North End continued creating chances thereafter – Ali McCann notably hitting the post just before half-time – while remaining solid at the back to keep a ninth league clean sheet of the season.
The forward said: “Yeah, it couldn’t be any better to get a win. We’re just delighted to get a win so we were just happy , everyone, to finally get a win a home and show everyone that we can do it still.
“That’s what you fight for every week so to finally get it, it’s delightful, and to go high up in the table and still keep the dream alive. It’s early on in the season so you never know. You need to keep getting them wins and hopefully be up there.
“I think after the first ten minutes, we were definitely on top, we had a few more chances to get another goal but luckily, we managed to get one and keep them away from scoring.”
Emil has now scored the match-winner twice this term – also netting the winner away at Coventry City late in August – and he is now hoping to extend his goal tally further.
When asked about the quality of Fernandez’ delivery for his opener, he added: “It was easy, it’s just guided into the goal, I didn’t need to do much, so it was a great cross and he’s a brilliant player so we just need to keep going.
“I’m delighted. I always put pressure on myself to score goals, so to do it today, it was great.”
The 24-year-old also commented on the defensive effort of the team as he put in the hard yards up front while North End yet again kept the door shut at the back.
“We have to cover the full width of the pitch so it was a tough night but a great team performance and we all put in more effort.
“We kept them away from the good chances, I didn’t think they had any big chances as well, Freddie had a good save, but other than that, it was good teamwork.
“To just get the win, and you only have to score one, is good. People might hate to play against us because it’s not going to be easy.”
He is now hopeful that this result will leave the team in a good place heading into Saturday’s trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City.
“It’s definitely something to build on and it’s going to be a tough game on Saturday. We’re going to have to go there and probably be underdogs but sometimes that suits us but it’s going to be a tough game but it’s good to go in with a win.”
Watch more from Emil on iFollow PNE.