Iliman Ndiaye has scored five goals for Sheffield United this season
Sheffield United extended their lead at the top of the Championship to three points with a routine win at Preston.
Iliman Ndiaye gave the Blades the lead shortly before the break with an excellent finish after doing well to stay on his feet.
Oli McBurnie scored his fourth goal in five games from close range to wrap up the win after Preston were caught out at the back.
The Lilywhites, who have scored just three goals in 10 games, had some promising moments but struggled to force visiting goalkeeper Wes Foderingham into a save of note.
Paul Heckingbottom's men have now won four successive matches and go into the international break five points clear of third-placed Reading.
An even first half was turned in the away team's favour when Senegal international Ndiaye showed class to sweep home a fine strike after beating two defenders.
With the home side's struggles in front of goal continuing a second goal was always likely to be enough and it arrived when Sander Berge latched on to a defensive error and teed up McBurnie to continue his fine run in front of goal.
The Blades host Birmingham City on Saturday, 1 October, while Ryan Lowe's men travel to in-form Sunderland on the same day.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsPreston
Formation 3-1-4-2
1Woodman14Storey6Lindsay16Hughes4Whiteman44Potts13McCann8Browne2Fernández15Parrott19Riis
- 1Woodman14Storey6LindsayBooked at 15mins16Hughes4Whiteman44PottsSubstituted forLedsonat 82'minutes13McCannSubstituted forJohnsonat 69'minutes8Browne2FernándezSubstituted forBradyat 69'minutes15ParrottSubstituted forMaguireat 82'minutes19RiisSubstituted forEvansat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Cunningham9Evans10Johnson11Brady18Ledson24Maguire25Cornell
Sheff Utd
Formation 3-5-2
18Foderingham15Ahmedhodzic12Egan6Basham2Baldock29Ndiaye8Berge16Norwood33Norrington-Davies7Brewster9McBurnie
- 18Foderingham15Ahmedhodzic12EganBooked at 73mins6Basham2Baldock29NdiayeSubstituted forMcAteeat 90+2'minutes8Berge16NorwoodBooked at 90mins33Norrington-Davies7BrewsterSubstituted forDoyleat 69'minutes9McBurnieBooked at 76minsSubstituted forSharpat 82'minutes
Substitutes
- 10Sharp11Khadra22Doyle28McAtee34Gordon35Brooks37Amissah
Referee:Jeremy SimpsonAttendance:18,412Match StatsHome TeamPrestonAway TeamSheff UtdPossessionHome57%Away43%ShotsHome18Away15Shots on TargetHome3Away6CornersHome7Away5FoulsHome11Away10Live TextPost update
Match ends, Preston North End 0, Sheffield United 2.
90'+5'Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 0, Sheffield United 2.
90'+4'Post update
Foul by Andrew Hughes (Preston North End).
90'+4'Post update
Sander Berge (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'Booking
Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+3'Post update
Daniel Johnson (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United).
90'+2'Post update
Attempt missed. Ched Evans (Preston North End) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Robbie Brady following a set piece situation.
90'+2'Post update
Ryan Ledson (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by James McAtee (Sheffield United).
90'+2'Substitution
Substitution, Sheffield United. James McAtee replaces Iliman Ndiaye.
89'Post update
Liam Lindsay (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89'Post update
Foul by Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United).
88'Post update
Attempt saved. Tommy Doyle (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
86'Post update
Foul by Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
86'Post update
Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
85'Post update
Attempt saved. Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Rhys Norrington-Davies.
84'Post update
Offside, Preston North End. Ryan Ledson tries a through ball, but Liam Lindsay is caught offside.
84'Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan Ledson (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
84'Post update
Attempt blocked. Robbie Brady (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Source: bbc.com