There was more good news on the striking front with recent signing Felipe Caicedo scoring his first goal for City in his first full 90 minutes since arriving from Basel.  

It was a lively start between two teams both featuring some well-known names, but it was to be City's latest household name, Danny Sturridge that gave the Blues a perfect start after nine minutes.

Kelvin Etuhu did well down the right before delivering a ball that beat the North End defence and that allowed Sturridge to score his eight goal in just six games since his return from a hip injury.

The Blues kept an impressive sounding frontline of Neil Mellor and Brett Ormerod at bay during the first half and on 26 minutes Sturridge could have doubled his tally for the afternoon. His shot from the edge of the box took a deflection and needed a fine full length save from Szamotulski.

Ten minutes later City, and Sturridge, threatened again. Felipe Caicedo and Paul Marshall combined well to release the 18-year-old striker but he couldn't beat the Preston keeper with his left footed effort.

In the final minute of the half, January signing Caicedo almost nodded his first goal in a blue shirt, but he was denied after Szamotulski tipped the header onto the crossbar.

Sturridge grabbed his second just four minutes into the second half, drilling the ball home with his left foot from just inside the penalty area.

The two-goal cushion proved to be enough for the Blues for most of the rest of the game, with Preston's best chance coming when Brett Ormerod saw his effort cleared off the line with 15 minutes left.

Caicedo completed an impressive display in fine style just after we entered stoppage time, breaking into the left hand side of the area to smash the ball above and beyond Szamotulski with his left foot.

Where've you heard that, benny?

Yes, all right.. Christ Almighty! It's like walking down a corridor and answering the door in Nazi Germany!

It's a fine line. You need confidence, but not cockiness*.

*Waits for someone to turn that into a "hur hur".

Funny what you hear while lurking. Overheard two guys talking on the train this morning. They work in the directors lounge at old trafford. They were talking about the conversations they overheard there. They were talking about Bobby Charlton and how he's a miserable git who never says please or thank you and never tips, and how Gary Neville had a row with the chef so now none of the utd players will go in there.

Yes, all right.. Christ Almighty! It's like walking down a corridor and answering the door in Nazi Germany!