Lancashire

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  1. Parker on Burnley's big win at Plymouthpublished at 22:56 22 January

    Scott Parker with thumbs upImage source, Rex Features

    Burnley head coach Scott Parker spoke to BBC Sport following their 5-0 win at Plymouth.

    "I thought we were superb tonight," he said.

    "We came here with a real clear idea and a game plan. We set that up as coaches, it's down to players to then execute and the players were absolutely first class.

    "We needed to come here with a mentality and mindset about us, this is a tough place to come, I know people look at league tables and may see a very different story.

    "But a new manager in, an aggressive team, I played against this coach once in Belgium and had some struggles in a sense of how he sets up teams, so I knew the challenge here.

    "We were just ruthless tonight. I thought we had everything about us."

  2. 'Gulf between sides was stark'published at 22:23 22 January

    Scott Read
    BBC Radio Lancashire

    Burnley expert view
    Scott ParkerImage source, Rex Features

    With 10 minutes still to play in the first half at Home Park, Scott Parker was walking calmy back and forth along the touchline, a few paces one way and then a few back, his hands in his pockets, his green jacket keeping him warm, as it has done so far this winter.

    His team had just scored a third goal, the first time since August they'd scored more than twice in league game.

    By half-time they'd scored two more. The game was over at the break.

    A team which has been built on solid foundations, just nine goals against in 28 games so far. Solid foundations and the rest will follow, at least that's the theory. Tonight it was, empathically.

    Ruthless in front of goal, the gulf between the two sides was stark.

    Unlike the gulf between the top four, there is currently nothing in it.

    The top four have all won in this midweek round of fixtures.

    Perhaps its points against each other that might be the difference between finishing in the top two, and missing out.

    It's Leeds United next for Burnley on Monday night.

  3. Meghoma - 'The main thing is to impress the fans'published at 16:48 22 January

    Media caption,

    New Preston signing Meghoma on win over Watford

    New Preston North End signing Jayden Meghoma grabbed his first assist for the club when he set up team-mate Milutin Osmajic for an opener in their 2-1 win over Watford.

    "It's an amazing feeling," Meghoma told BBC Radio Lancashire.

    "The main thing for me is to impress the fans and to give them a show, to make sure we get the three points all the time."

    The Brentford loanee joined North End on Thursday and has featured in both of Preston's Championship matches since linking up with the squad.

    The Lilywhites also claimed a point in a goalless draw at Luton Town last Saturday.

    The move from the Bees has given the teenager his first taste of life in the Championship and, so far, it has appeared seamless.

    "It's been fantastic," Meghoma added. "Everybody's been brilliant so it's an easy place to settle into."

  4. Brains and brawn combine for Osmajic goalspublished at 15:14 22 January

    Ross Heaton
    BBC Radio Lancashire Sport

    Preston North End expert view banner
    Preston North End's Milutin Osmajic and Jayden Meghoma celebrating Osmajic's second goal during their match against WatfordImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Preston North End's Milutin Osmajic and Jayden Meghoma celebrate Osmajic's second goal

    Montenegrin Milutin Osmajic returned to the dressing room at full-time with team-mate Ryan Ledson leading a rendition of a terrace song sung by Preston North End fans – a clear sign of the appreciation of his match-winning performance.

    His strength and power were simply too much for the Watford backline who could only resort to fouling him in order to prevent his progress.

    He scored two goals with different finishes...

    Firstly, a sublime left-footed cross from debutant Jayden Meghoma saw Osmajic dart into the six-yard box to apply the decisive touch from close range.

    His second, after the break, came from a move he started - outmuscling his man, he laid off the ball neatly to Mads Frokjaer-Jensen before spinning in behind and emphatically smashing it home at the near post.

    Brains and brawn combined on a night he moved into double figures for the season.

  5. 'Strong defensive performance': McCall published at 23:13 21 January

    Preston striker Milutin Osmajic scores his second goal at WatfordImage source, Rex Features
    Image caption,

    Milutin Osmajic fires in his second goal at Watford - but it was the defence that caught Stuart McCall's eye

    Preston assistant Stuart McCall stood in for Paul Heckingbottom at the post-match press conference following the manager's red card at half time.

    He said the win was built on solid preparation work and a fine defensive display, telling BBC Radio Lancashire:

    "We trained this morning and discussed how we wanted to come and play and overall it was another strong defensive performance.

    "There was a little slip - you don't let (Rocco) Vata come inside on his right foot, and it was a really good goal by the kid.

    "But we're delighted with the victory but obviously with the level of performance as well."