THERE's something about Friday night football which seems to bring out the best in Burnley.

One recalls the last time the Clarets were featured live on Sky's Friday night programme, when they recorded a 3-1 win over Stan Ternent's Bury.

Last season brought a victory over Bournemouth. And the season prior to that saw Burnley crush Colchester 4-0.

Yet none of these victories were as enjoyable as the Clarets comprehensive thumping of Preston. Not that spirits were too high prior to kick-off. The mauling we received at the hands of our nearest and not so dearest were still painfully fresh in the memory.

So it was a somewhat nervous crowd that congregated at a rain-lashed Turf Moor before the Sky cameras.

We needn't have worried. The lads were every bit as good against North End as they were bad against Blackburn, which in itself was by turns frustrating, mystifying and gratifying all at the same time.

But arguably it has to be said that this was perhaps the best performance of the season so far.

Others might point to fine victories against Watford and Premiership-bound Fulham, but Friday's win eclipsed both the other results for a number of reasons.

The successes scored against Graham Taylor's and John Tigana's men were built in the main on hustling and harrying performances whereas against North End, although the Clarets still worked exceptionally hard, there was also evidence of guile and creativity.

And it was this marriage of perspiration and inspiration, this alliance between craft and graft, which made the performance so special.

Chief architect was, of course, Glen Little.

Blakey, performing at somewhere near his peak, tormented the life out of Preston all night.

His assist for Moore's opener was beautifully deadly. His goal was both well taken and thoroughly deserved.

But the result was special for other reasons.

Not least of which was the restoration of pride -- to the club, to the players and to the supporters. After Black Sunday's capitulation the general mood around the town had been pretty gloomy. Friday's success went a long way towards changing that.

And wasn't it great to win a derby?

Having taken only a single point and scored just two goals in the previous five, it seemed we were fated to come off second best all season.

And so to Selhurst Park, where a repeat performance of our win there earlier this season against Crystal Palace would be very welcome.

I wonder, if we asked politely, if would they move it to a Friday night?