Burnley again found a way to blow a lead as the Clarets sank to a rain-soaked 1-1 draw with Brighton off a shocking error at Turf Moor on Saturday.
The Premier League’s 19th-ranked side led 1-0 through a second-half Josh Brownhill goal, but only for a few moments as keeper Arijanet Muric — so good for much of the match — stepped over a back pass and couldn’t rescue it before it crossed the line.
WATCH BURNLEY vs BRIGHTON FULL MATCH REPLAY
Vincent Kompany’s side have played better than their points tally suggests but that doesn’t help them as they’re six points from safety with five games to go, this draw matching Forest’s points-split with Wolves. The Seagulls still finish with Man City, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Manchester United, a brutal ask. A silver lining? Only the Bournemouth and Newcastle fixtures come away from the Amex.
Burnley’s 20 points are 24 fewer than 10th-place Brighton, but you wouldn’t have been able to tell from the performances on Saturday. The draw puts the Seagulls hopes of a European return in sincere jeopardy. Brighton are four points off eighth and five off seventh with some tricky matches remaining on their Premier League docket.
Cruel moment for strong Arijanet Muric sums up Burnley season
Kosovar star Arijanet Muric did not deserve this, not one bit, but his misplay of a back pass turned into an own goal that has defined the Clarets season of okay performances and poor resuls.
Muric has undoubtedly been an upgrade on young James Trafford since Vincent Kompany switched keepers last month, and he was one of the reasons Burnley was on track to win this game when calamity struck the Clarets’ third.
The man who made eight saves on the day including a tremendous free kick parry looked away from a back pass and saw it skitter toward his line, scrambling back to paw it out of the goal just after it crossed the paint.
It’s sad to say, but that’s been Burnley’s season. A suspended Vincent Kompany would’ve watched from the stands and wondered yet again what might’ve been had just two or three of their 67 conceded goals so far had been played like their record (and still bad) 60.95 xGA.
Burnley vs Brighton player ratings (fotmob.com)
Burnley vs Brighton player ratings (fotmob.com)
Burnley vs Brighton player ratings (fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Burnley simply have to win at Sheffield United on Saturday, a 10am ET kickoff at Bramall Lane. Brighton have a long layoff before hosting Manchester City on April 25 (Thursday).
How to watch Burnley vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET Saturday (April 13)
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Burnley vs Brighton live updates! - By Nick Mendola
Burnley vs Brighton live score: 1-1
Goalscorers: Brownhill (74'), Muric (o.g. 79')
Huuuuge error from Muric — Burnley 1-1 Brighton (79th minute)
It’s a simple back pass to Muric, and he... just... steps over his trap.
The keeper cannot race back to claw it over the line.
You almost have to feel for him. Is that, essentially, Burnley’s season off another self-inflicted error and blown lead?
Josh Brownhill goal! Burnley 1-0 Brighton (74th minute)
What a moment for Turf Moor.
Josh Brownhill half-wins a duel and forces Carlos Baleba to lunge a back pass toward Bart Verbruggen.
The Brighton keeper charges off his line and slides into a clearing attempt that snaps off the pressing Brownhill’s shin and bounds over the line.
Difficult to describe
Pedro stayed in the game, and he’s clearly been antagonized to frustration as we’re up to 23 combined fouls between the team with 14 whistled against Burnley.
The xG says Burnley has been more dangerous by about 3/4 of a goal, while Brighton have doubled the Clarets’ shot attempts at 16-8.
Halftime — Burnley 0-0 Brighton
Even here in most stats, but Burnley should be disappointed to not be ahead given their play and two decent chances between Bruun Larsen and David Datro Fofana.
Burnley are on 52% possession, but have been out-attempted 8-4. The Clarets, however, have had the match’s two biggest chances and edge xG 0.51-0.41.
The Clarets are playing with an edge, too, and their nine fouls have Brighton wondering about just one yellow card to the hosts. Let’s see if the second half gets evenly gritty.
Muric save!
A terrific free kick nearly puts Brighton in front but Arijanet Muric makes a terrific adjustment.
He then claims the ensuing corner. Nothing against young James Trafford, but it’s easy to imagine “what if” Muric played more earlier in the season?
Another Brighton injury — Joao Pedro plays on
Just as the Seagulls had seized the advantage, another setback.
Brighton had registered five of the game’s next six shot attempts following Bruun Larsen’s close call, but now their striker Joao Pedro is limping around. He’s carried an injury for a while this year and his playing on feels risky.
Brighton register some danger
Simon Adingra darts past a lunging mark and tears into a shot, but Arijanet Muric is there to catch it.
All Burnley but first chance missed!
There had been no shots but through 16 minutes, but here’s a big chance for the team with possession, Burnley.
A swept-in cross finds a sprinting Jacob Bruun Larsen at the back post. He opts for his right instead of going back across goal with his left and cannot manage the strength to direct it inside the post.
Big let-off for the Seagulls, and perhaps a wake-up call.
Pervis Estupinan injury
Bad news for Brighton, as one of the aforementioned rampaging fullbacks will not be able to affect this one any longer.
Igor takes his place after 13 minues.
Sneaky good match-up?
Joao Pedro is back in Brighton’s attack and the Seagulls rampaging fullbacks give them the expected advantage here, but Turf Moor is behind its underdogs and the Clarets’ midfield give it a chance to hang around. With Lyle Foster and David Datro Fofana in the mix, this game could go either way.
Burnley lineup
Muric, Assignon, Esteve, Ekdal, Cullen, Berge, Bruun Larsen, Vitinho, Odobert, Foster, Fofana
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen, Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan, Baleba, Moder, Gross, Adingra, Welbeck, Pedro
Burnley focus, team news
The Clarets look better defensively although Muric made a huge error against Everton last time out. Cullen and Berge have been solid in midfield and now it’s all about getting chances to Fofana, Larsen, Odobert and Foster in attack.
OUT: Nathan Redmond (hamstring), Luca Koleosho (knee), Aaron Ramsey (knee), Dara O’Shea (suspended), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Ameen Al-Dakhil (undisclosed), Han-Noah Massengo (ankle)
Brighton focus, team news
The Seagulls will likely start Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati to try and spark their attack into life as they played well between the boxes against Arsenal but just couldn’t find a finishing touch. RDZ has to mix things up to try and get his side going again as they’ve won just one of their last seven.
OUT: Kaoru Mitoma (lower back), Solly March (knee), Jack Hinshelwood (ankle), James Milner (thigh), Billy Gilmour (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Evan Ferguson (ankle), Adam Webster (muscle)
