Aleksandar Mitrovic reacts to his match-winning performance for Newcastle

Aleksandar Mitrovic shrugged off the plaudits after firing Newcastle United to a 2-1 win at Deepdale.
DeAndre YedlinDeAndre Yedlin
DeAndre Yedlin

Mitrovic netted both the club's goals against Preston North End this afternoon.

The 22-year-old – who had scored twice in Tuesday night's 6-0 EFL Cup win over Simon Grayson's side – praised the "character" of Rafa Benitez's side after the hard-fought victory.

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"We won and got three points. This was a hard away game, and a lot of teams will lose points here, for sure.

"We showed good character and that we learnt from last season.

"We had a good mentality and a little bit of luck, but if you want to win every game you need a bit of luck.

"It's important we keep going. We have a few more days to prepare for the next game."

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Mitrovic scored both his goals in front of United's 5,600-strong travelling support in the Bill Shankly Stand.

The Serbia international latched on to a pass from Matt Ritchie for the first goal in the 59th minute.

And Mitrovic beat Chris Maxwell at the second attempt in the 71st minute.

"It was a good ball from Ritchie," he said. "I had a bit of luck that the defender didn't react like he wanted to.

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"I knew the game would be hard and I wouldn't have a lot of chances, so I tried to focus. I had two chances and I scored, so it was good."

Newcastle lead second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion by three points.