Birmingham won away, Southampton banged in five whilst Sunderland recorder their highest victory of the season along with nine man Cardiff holding onto three points and Wolves winning against Burnley.
It all means Preston are in sixth position on equal points with Southampton, Sunderland and Cardiff but importantly with a game in hand. WBA are three ahead in third with Birmingham three points behind the leaders having played only 31 games.
Preston now have three games in seven days with two important league matches after the big cup clash.