youssef_itani
Brighton ended their six-game run without a victory with a 2-0 win over Burnley whose 11-match winless spell is now the longest in the Premier League.
The Seagulls were good value for their victory at the Amex but may have had a tougher afternoon had Burnley taken one of a number of opportunities once Scott Parker turned to his bench after half-time, with substitute Loum Tchaouna seeing an effort cleared off the line from a corner.
Without that unlikely comeback, coupled with Wolves’ stunning 3-0 win over West Ham at Molineux, Scott Parker’s side are now on the longest run without a win in the Premier League having not tasted victory since beating Leeds on October 18 last year.
Brighton had looked in full control for much of the game and were well worth their two-goal cushion which had been won through goals from Georginio Rutter and Yasin Ayari.
Rutter started and finished the move which led to his opener, with a half-cleared cross deflecting back into his path from which a powerful effort beat Martin Dubravka into the far corner.
Burnley managed just a single shot on target before half-time but were still in the game at 1-0 – but faced an uphill struggle of their own making within 68 seconds of the restart.
Lesley Ugochukwu’s attempted square ball across his own box was intercepted by Ayari, who skipped away from Florentino before beating Dubravka again with a sweetly-struck second.
The introduction of Marcus Edwards in particular reinvigorated Burnley and Tchouana’s effort from Lucas Pires’ corner was cleared off the line and turned onto the bar by Ferdi Kadioglu.
But it was too little, too late even by then as Brighton held on for a comfortable victory to move eighth in the table – and just five points off fourth-placed Liverpool.
More to follow.
