Burnley dug deep to grab an impressive point away at Brighton on Saturday, as Vincent Kompany’s side had goalkeeper James Trafford to think.
Burnley took the lead in the first half through Wilson Odobert’s fine strike which took a deflection on the way in, while Brighton huffed and puffed and eventually equalized.
Simon Adingra headed home to set up a wild finish as Trafford pulled off several fine stops to deny Brighton as Burnley somehow held on for a point.
With the point Brighton move on to 25 for the season, while Burnley remain in the relegation zone and are on eight points.
Versatile Pascal Gross sums up Brighton’s brilliance
They didn’t win the game but they created plenty of chances to do so late on in the second half and most of those came from the wand of a left foot that Pascal Gross possesses. The German playmaker, 32, has been key in Brighton’s rise in the Premier League and he has played in just about every position and never looks out of place. Gross started Saturday’s game at right back as a few marauding runs forward almost ended in a goal in the first half, but he then switched to left wing and that is where he did most of his damage. His cross to Adingra for Brighton’s equalizer was perfect and Gross always seems to find space and link things together in attack. The way he stands still when everything else around him moves is a work of art and Brighton’s wonderful flowing system allows it to get the best out of players like Gross. He delivered dangerous crosses time after time late on and is a silky smooth player who sums up the team-first ethic that Brighton have. At Brighton it is all about playing as a unit and the central cog in that machine, wherever he plays, is Gross.
Brighton vs Burnley player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, you can see the extremely versatile Pascal Gross had an incredible game but so did most of Burnley’s midfield and defense as goalkeeper James Trafford was exceptional.
What’s next?
Brighton host Marseille in their UEFA Europa League group stage finale on Thursday, Dec. 14, then head to Arsenal on Sunday, Dec. 17. Burnley host relegation rivals Everton on Saturday, Dec. 16.
How to watch Brighton vs Burnley live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday (December 9)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Brighton vs Burnley live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Eight minutes of stoppage time and Brighton almost score...
Right at the start of stoppage time Brighton almost squeeze the ball home as another cross is whipped in. Trafford saves and the loose ball is hacked away. Burnley hanging on as Trafford also denies headers from Hinshelwood and Ferguson.
Seagulls get their deserved equalizer through Simon Adingra - Brighton 1-1 Burnley (77th minute)
There it is. A Pascal Gross cross from the left finds Adingra at the back post again and this time he heads across goal and into the bottom corner.
Top stop from Trafford to deny Adingra
A cross from the right is flicked on and the ball finds Adingra unmarked at the back post but Trafford stays tall and blocks the shot. The clock is ticking for Brighton but Burnley are hanging in there.
Brighton go close twice as they push for equalizer
Mitoma curls one over and then Ferguson heads wide as the Seagulls are pushing hard for that equalizer.
Huge chance for Burnley
Odobert does superbly to beat his man and then crosses for Rodriguez but he can’t beat Verbruggen at his near post. Burnley buoyed by that late goal in the first half and they’re flying forward.
Half time: Brighton 0-1 Burnley
The Clarets go in ahead at the break and what a surprise result we have on our hands. Burnley started well, then Brighton took control but Wilson Odobert’s deflected effort has the Clarets ahead. Can Vincent Kompany’s side hold on for what would be a shock win?
Wilson Odobert scores opener - Brighton 0-1 Burnley (45th minute)
What a wild goal that is. French teenager Wilson Odobert cuts inside and his shot deflects off James Milner and loops over Bart Verbruggen and into the top corner. Burnley and Vincent Kompany have weathered the Brighton storm and now they’re ahead.
Seagulls finally wake up
Brighton are starting to create chances before the break and the ball finds Pascal Gross who snuck into the box but his low shot at the near post was saved by James Trafford. Much better from the hosts as Simon Adingra’s cross is headed just wide by Jean Paul van Hecke and then Mahmoud Dahoud smashes a shot just over after a lovely team move.
Clarets go close to an opener
The visitors have started really well and they go so close to taking the lead as Johann Berg Gudmundsson curls an effort just wide of the far post after cutting inside. Brighton have yet to wake up.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Milner, Dunk, Van Hecke, Baleba; Gross, Dahoud; Adingra, Lallana, Pedro; Ferguson
Burnley lineup
Trafford; Vitinho, O’Shea, Beyer, Taylor; Odobert, Berge, Brownhill, Gudmundsson; Rodriguez, Amdouni
Brighton focus, team news
It is tough to know who the Seagulls will roll out from one game to the next but Pascal Gross is using all of his experience to knit things together masterfully in midfield. Roberto De Zerbi will no doubt make plenty of changes for this game but whoever he selects, you know Brighton will go for it and play in an open, attacking manner. They’re a joy to watch.
OUT: Ansu Fati (thigh), Julio Enciso (knee), Tariq Lamptey (thigh), Solly March (knee), Danny Welbeck (undisclosed), Adam Webster (knock), Pervis Estupinan (thigh)
Burnley focus, team news
Losing Koleosho and Foster in recent weeks has been a big blow for Burnley’s attacking unit and it is now down to Jay Rodriguez and Zeki Amdouni to stand tall. Burnley can hang in games but now it is all about taking chances and trying to make the most of the few opportunities they create.
OUT: Luca Koleosho (knee), Lyle Foster (personal), Jack Cork (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Josh Cullen (knock)
