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Burnley 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 0 | Talking Points

The Clarets halted Brighton’s unbeaten run of three games with James Tarkowski’s goal late in the first half being enough to help Burnley escape the relegation zone.

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Relief for Burnley

This was Burnely’s first win in nine matches. Around this time last year, the Claret’s found themselves sitting comfortably among the top 4 in the Premier League. They kicked off last season marvelously by walloping Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, initiating the dramatic saga that would lead to the eventual sacking of Antonio Conte. It was an eventful year for Dyche and his men with a very respectful finish secured along with a chance at European competition.

This year everything fell apart. With injuries and bad form, the dream of European competition was quickly snuffed out, and unfortunately, the Premier League offered no respite from the blows dealt by Europa League qulification. Burnley have been miserable for most of the season, but today Dyche was somehow able to resurrect the Burnely from yesteryear.

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The Burnely that fights for every ball, that prides themselves in maintaining an impregnable backline, and that blunts the attacking efforts of most opposition made a cameo today, reminding fans that the team from Turf Moor is still very much alive. Granted, today’s win was by no means visually stimulating nor was it “one to remember”, but it showed that the Clarets can and will continue playing their style of game; and that their style can still win games. Surely, Dyche is hopeful after what he saw on the pitch today, and this win will give him and his team a feeling of reassurance as they prepare for next week’s match against Spurs.

Brighton ineffective without Murray

Florin Andone, Brighton’s hero in their last match, failed to impress today, and in doing so showed the importance of Murray to Chris Hughton’s Seagulls. Murray only came on until the 63rd minute of the match, and his cross led to the best chance of the match which fell to Jurgen Locadia, Brighton’s other striker, who also failed to capitalize on his chance.

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Murray’s importance to Brighton cannot be exaggerated. He’s scored 42% of his team’s goals, and frankly, there is no one else on the team that can compete with him as far as effectiveness in front of goal is concerned. They are impressive numbers from the 35 year old, but how long can he maintain this form? It should concern Hughton that his team is so dependent on one man.

Hughton should be looking for another striker for times when Murray is injured, which he has been already several times this season. Brighton have no other reliable forward in the squad, and it showed today. With rumors of an unsettled Jurgen Locadia, a space for a new forward may open soon, and the Seagull’s should think carefully about who will fill that place if the Dutchman does decide to leave.



Turf Moor no longer magical

Despite the win, it is abundantly clear that Turf Moor is no longer the bastion it once was. It was almost impossible for a team to travel to the Claret’s fortress and leave having scored a goal. If a goal was scored, it usually came at a heavy price with opposition having to toil for both halves if only to get a glimpse of goal.

Now it seems that Turf Moor has lost its magic, which is problematic for Burnley because they have been so reliant on their home advantage in the past. Without the old comforts of their own home, Burnley have not fared well this season, and adaption must happen quickly if the Clarets want to remain in the Premier League.

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Burnley have had to battle fiercely to find form, and now that they finally have, they must carry that form into away matches lest they sink back into the relegation zone.

Brighton still losing away from home

Like Burnley, Brighton transform into a toothless version of themselves when playing away from the Amex. They have only registered two wins in their last 22 away matches, and there are no signs of that statistic improving anytime soon.

What separates Brighton from the best teams in the Premier League has much to do with their failure to capitalize on their positive runs of form. Where some teams might grow motivated to better and maintain their game after several wins, Brighton seems to grow complacent. As in previous games, Brighton did not improve until the second half when Burnley had already secured the lead; by then, it was too late for the Seagulls.

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Hughton lamented the loss in post-match interviews, claiming his team “deserved something from the match”, but frankly, it’s a little foolish from the Englishman to expect a result from the same tactics that have failed him and Brighton time and time again in away games. The loss should serve as a lesson and a warning against the contentment the Seagulls always find after a run of two or three games without losing. Brighton could have been the better team, but they chose not to be.

Goals needed by both teams

Including this match, Burnley and Brighton have faced each other three times in the Premier League. In these matches only one goal has been scored; the strange deflected goal scored today by Tarkowski. While not every game these teams play is nearly as defensive as today’s match, both teams have had some difficulty finding the back of the net, especially against quality opposition.

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With matches against Liverpool and Chelsea next week, both teams are likely preparing to hold back the inevitable onslaught orchestrated by the likes of Mohamed Salah and Eden Hazard; however, they should consider breaking the bad habit of sitting back against the Premier League’s juggernauts. Lest such ambitions be considered foolish, one can take a look at Wolves’ famous win against Chelsea this past Wednesday.

Brighton has found a way of punishing Manchester United every time they travel to the Amex, and it is quite possible they could use a similar formula for success against Sarri. As for Burnely, it is perhaps unrealistic to call upon a team with its first win in nine matches to secure a win or even a draw at Anfield, but if such a miracle were to happen, it could only happen in the Premier League.



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