Lancashire

Ross Heaton
BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Getty Images

It was an afternoon when much of the focus was on the location, but it ended in celebration.

Preston North End booked their place in round two of the Carabao Cup after showing character and composure in a memorable match on Merseyside for two new signings.

A red card for Lewis Gibson midway through the first half had Paul Heckingbottom's men on the ropes but they cleared their heads and found a way to hit back.

Goodison Park became home for a day just under 60 years after Howard Kendall famously made the 35-mile journey from Preston to sign for the Toffees.

'The Grand Old Lady' has played temporary host to visitors before, including Pele's Brazil in 1966, Sir Matt Busby's Manchester United and the FA Cup final in 1894 and 1910.

With the finishing touches being made to Deepdale's pitch, the Championship side walked out in a slightly surreal atmosphere that finally grew as the 'home' side attacked the Gwladys Street End bearing Kendall's name.

When Radinio Balker headed in for Huddersfield Town during the first half, Gibson's dismissal looked a fatal blow to any hopes of progression.

Heckingbottom and his team deserve credit for a revitalised display after the restart, refusing to lose.

Former Preston goalkeeper Alan Kelly looked completely mystified alongside me in the commentary box as several big appeals for penalties were waved away.

The tide of the game kept flowing to our left and the Preston fans, despite their team's numerical disadvantage.

Heckingbottom has been honest about how much more transfer business is needed, but new recruits Jusef Erabi and Delano Burgzorg wasted no time in making an impression from the bench.

After earlier stinging the palms of Taylor with a ferocious drive, Erabi was on hand to turn in Burgzorg's low ball in stoppage time. A special debut with members of the Swede's family travelling from Scandinavia to watch first-hand.

Burgzorg's contribution did not end there. The Dutchman coolly slotted in the decisive penalty in the shoot-out after Daniel Iversen had made two terrific saves.

The match started with a testimonial-esque level of noise but by the end Preston fans found their voice, playing their part in seeing the team through an unusual fixture.

Preston will have to wait a fortnight for their return to Deepdale. How different the squad will look by then remains to be seen.

What will have pleased Heckingbottom is the steel and resilience shown by his players in the face of adversity. There will be many tests to come, but this one they passed.

Their opening Championship game at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday (12:30 BST) will not be any easier.

A sold-out away end of 4,400 may make the visitors feel at home on the road for the second week in succession.

Listen to Jusef Erabi's full interview with BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC sounds here - and do not forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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Can't get enough of your beloved League Two club? Fear not.

BBC Sport covers all 24 League Two sides with dedicated online and radio reporters at hand to tell the story from every angle.

Expect match reports, analysis, features and interviews - the works.

We'll also have live text coverage of most League Two matches this season so you won't miss any of the action even when you're out of town.

Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.

Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.

And when following your League Two team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications which gives you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.

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Can't get enough of your beloved League One club? Fear not.

BBC Sport covers all 24 League One sides with dedicated online and radio reporters at hand to tell the story from every angle.

Expect match reports, analysis, features and interviews - the works.

We'll also have live text coverage of most League One matches this season so you won't miss any of the action even when you're out of town.

Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.

Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.

And when following your League One team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications which gives you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.

Image source, Getty Images

Can't get enough of your beloved Championship club? Fear not.

BBC Sport covers all 24 Championship sides with dedicated online and radio reporters at hand to tell the story from every angle.

Expect match reports, analysis, in-depth features, interviews, fan views, quizzes - the works.

We'll also have live text pages for every Championship match this season so you won't miss any of the action even when you're out of town.

Remember, the best way to get all of this content is to download the BBC Sport app and follow your favourite teams and sports using the My Sport tab.

Once you've set this up, you'll have quick access to those pages at the top of your Home tab and we'll be able to serve you better, more personalised, experiences in future.

And when following your Championship team, from the start of the 2026-27 season you'll also get Live Notifications which gives you score updates directly on your phone's lock screen during a match.

Preston North End's new striker Jusef Erabi won player of the year for Hammarby IF in his breakout season in top-flight Swedish football in 2023 at the age of just 20.

His performances earned him a permanent move to Belgian Pro League side Genk in 2025-26 and he arrives on loan at Deepdale with 48 goals to his name in 174 senior career appearances.

But what can Lilywhites fans expect from Erabi this season in terms of his playing style and what he can bring to the team?

The 23-year-old has been speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire and describes himself as a forward capable of producing a bit of "everything".

"First of all, I would say I'm a team player, which I think is a really important thing because if we have 11 players out there that just want to score themselves, it's going to be difficult," said Erabi, who is of Afghan descent but was born in Sweden.

"I'm a really hardworking striker that likes to help the team in the pressing, in the way we play.

"I like to score goals, of course, contribute points, and just overall for me the win is the most important thing. If I don't score but we win the game, that's the most important thing."

When asked about his specific strengths, he added: "I would say everything, but at the same time, the one thing I think I'm good at is that you can always improve.

"I think my hold-up play is good, the way I press, the intensity, the work ethic and obviously the finishing.

"I love finishing with the head and with my feet, both feet. So it's a little bit of everything, but of course I can improve in everything as well."

Listen to Jusef Erabi's full interview above or on BBC sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore more Preston content on BBC Sounds

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Burnley midfielder Josh Laurent has praised the open communication he has with new boss Nicky Hayen ahead of their upcoming Championship season.

Hayen has been vocal about being open to exits for players who wish to leave.

"He is very honest and very open, I think it's nice," Laurent told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"You know exactly where you are as people and as players and you can work from that. I don't think you could ever be angry with someone's opinion, and now it's clear.

"You want people that want to play football for Burnley. I think it's a mutual understanding between everyone and I think it can only be a positive thing."

Watch the full interview below or listen on BBC Sounds here

Explore more Burnley content on BBC Sounds

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Burnley FC

Sometimes it just runs in the family. That can certainly be said about the Robinsons.

Paul Robinson became one of the most recognisable figures in English football during his playing career - turning out for Leeds, Tottenham and Blackburn during a distinguished Premier League career.

He played 41 times for England, too.

And now his son Jack, also a goalkeeper, is following in his father's footsteps - signing professional terms with Championship side Burnley - a club Paul also represented during his career.

Having completed his scholarship at Bradford City, the 18-year-old signed a 12-month contract with the Turf Moor side last week and will link up with the club's under-21 set-up during the forthcoming season.

"This is a really good opportunity and I'm really excited," Jack told Burnley's official website.

"It's a real proud moment for me and my family and with all the hard work that we've put in over the last few years, it means a lot.

"There seems to be a really good development line here, because if you're not playing you can go out on loan.

"I had a trial here last season, which was good, and I've really enjoyed settling in well again now."

The teenager is determined to make his own way in the game. Indeed, there is no mention of dad Paul in Burnley's official communication of Jack's contract.

Having spent time in the academy system at Leeds, the young goalkeeper was then picked up by Hull City where he spent two seasons.

Robinson joined Bradford in the summer of 2024 going on to play for Bantams' U17 and U19 sides.

He was a key player for Bradford's run to the FA Youth Cup third round last season captaining the side in their eventual loss to Premier League Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

And following a successful trial with Burnley last season, Robinson can now look forward to being involved in even bigger occasions as he takes his first steps in senior football.

Clarets academy manager Chris Casper added: "Jack has earned this contract following his time here last season, because he has the qualities we look for in a goalkeeper.

"If he can settle into the new environment well and work hard with his coaches and fellow 'keepers, I'm sure he will continue to improve."

And while despite his family's football heritage being steeped in goalkeeping excellence, Jack is making his own way in the game - though there will be, of course, one very interested and supportive onlooker.