Lancashire

Image source, Rex Features

Manager Scott Parker praised his players for their display in the 2-0 win at Sheffield United.

Goals from Josh Brownhill and Zian Flemming either side of half-time secured a fourth straight win on the road for the Clarets, condemning the Blades to a first home loss of the season.

Parker, whose side are now just one point behind Sheffield United, spoke of his pride in the performance.

"It was a brilliant away performance all round," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We've got a very young squad and as individuals and as a team, we are learning things.

"I'm immensely proud of the team for how they came through today's game.

"They quietened the stadium early; they had a control which we were very comfortable to give them. We score a brilliant goal in the first half and in the second half we had our moments. Overall, it was a really solid performance."

Parker also made a special mention of Flemming's all round game after he scored in the second half.

"Zian did very well today, he has been exceptional in the last two games," he added.

"We're a passing and progressive team, looking to play in a certain way. But in certain moments, you need to go top line a bit earlier. He gave us that platform."

Image source, Rex Features

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom was pleased with the Lilywhites' game management after 1-0 win over Hull City, their first win at home since 19 October.

"We've been far more dominant than that in so many games and only got a point, so I'm really pleased that we've come out on top when the margins are really fine.

"We weren't too bothered if they have the ball but I think we gave them too much respect at the start of the game. I felt we were just slightly off. We didn't quite get to the ball and we were a little bit behind the press.

"We stood off them a little bit too much, or that might be credit to them, but then, as the first half wore on, we got better and had our moments but we needed to up it in the second half and I thought we did.

"Until the goal, we were building momentum which was really pleasing and then the goal was fantastic from our point of view. I'm really pleased with it. Then we had to defend well and we managed the game really well."

A big one on Boxing Day as third-placed Burnley travel to Championship leaders Sheffield United.

Both come into this game off the back of some decent momentum, the Blades are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches and the Clarets have not lost in their past nine.

• Sheffield United have lost their last three league games against Burnley, conceding 11 goals in the process. It's their worst losing run against the Clarets in club history.

• Following their 4-1 win at Bramall Lane in April, Burnley are looking to win consecutive away league games at Sheffield United for the first time.

• This is Sheffield United's eighth consecutive Boxing Day match played at Bramall Lane (W4 D1 L2) since an away defeat at Port Vale in 2014.

• Burnley have lost six of their last eight league matches on Boxing Day (W1 D1), losing each of their last three, all in the Premier League between 2018 and 2023.

• Burnley manager Scott Parker has never lost a league game against Sheffield United in his managerial career, winning two and drawing two of four games.

Preston North End welcome Hull City to Deepdale for a key clash in the bottom half of the table.

Ruben Selles takes charge of his fourth game for the Tigers as he looks to build on Saturday's victory when Hull beat Swansea City.

Visitors Preston are 18th in the Championship table and four points better off than Hull, but with just one win in their past five games.

• Preston North End have not scored in any of their last four league games against Hull City, although they have also only conceded one goal themselves during that time (D3 L1).

• The last two league games between Preston and Hull at Deepdale have ended goalless, more than in the first 30 games between the sides in Preston (one in 1983).

• Preston North End won on Boxing Day last year against Leeds United, beating them 2-1. They last won on consecutive years on December 26 in 2013 (1-0 vs. Carlisle) and 2014 (1-0 vs. Barnsley).

• Hull's only win in their last six Boxing Day matches was away at Preston back in 2018 under Nigel Adkins (D2 L3).

• Preston's Paul Heckingbottom is unbeaten in his last three league meetings with Hull (W2 D1) since losing 1-0 with Barnsley in October 2017.