PAY WHACK TIME

Neal: We cannot waste chances like this

THE scars of battle were etched all over Neal Maupay’s face.

The wound down the Frenchman’s right cheek, after a late clash with Burnley’s Ashley Westwood that brought the Clarets midfielder a yellow card, was still throbbing an hour after the game.

But it didn’t sting as badly as Jeff Hendrick’s 91st-minute equaliser.

That really hurt – and both moments provided a harsh lesson in what the Premier League is all about for Maupay and his manager Graham Potter in only their fifth game at this level.

Burnley were second-best in this game for all but the first 15 minutes at the Amex.

Potter’s team were brighter, more inventive, and quicker to the ball, with Maupay, all energy up front, notching his second goal of the season. But Burnley fought back to salvage a point with that late leveller, meaning neither team has won since the opening day of the new season.

Maupay, who hit 28 goals in the Championship for Brentford last term before his £16million summer switch to Brighton, admitted: “My goal should have been the winner.

“Throughout the game we were the better team. We scored that first goal and I thought it would be enough. It is really frustrating.

“We create chances but we must learn to convert them, We only scored one goal – if we can be more efficient it will make games easier.”

The 23-year-old has no doubts that he is good enough for the top flight.

“For me the Premier League is the best league in the world, but I know I have got quality for it,” he said.

“I have a lot of belief. I’m still trying to find my best rhythm and my best position because I’m discovering a new team, new team-mates, and a new manager. The physicality does not bother me. The defenders in the Championship are big as well. I’m used to it. But in the Premier they are quicker and better technically.

“Every player here knows what they are going to do with the ball quicker. But I know I can score goals, in the Championship or the Premier.”

It took Albion an age to get going, as Dwight Mcneil and Aaron Lennon both missed chances for Burnley. But gradually Albion found their mojo, and Solly March forced Nick Pope into a save before Glenn Murray twice went close.

Six minutes after the break Burnley gave March too much room and his accurate cross found Maupay who, despite falling backwards, volleyed into the corner past Pope.

But Brighton fatally did not build on their lead. Davy Propper headed over and Aaron Connolly missed a good chance – and they paid dearly as the seconds ticked away.

Out of nowhere Burnley broke, Matej Vydra laid the ball inside to fellow substitute Hendrick (celebrating, left), and he lashed his shot in from 25 yards. Their first on target in the whole match.

Harsh lessons.

BRIGHT & QUEASY Neal Maupay fired home Brighton’s opener and (top) took a whack to the face JEFF HENDRICK said Burnley’s never-say-die mentality means they never know when they are beaten. Four times last season Burnley grabbed goals in injury time and they were at it again on Saturday, Republic of Ireland midfielder Hendrick coming off the bench to strike an unlikely equaliser in the first minute of injury time. Hendrick, after his 100th Premier League appearance, said Burnley, 14th in the table, would be lost without such resilience and character. “We’ve done it a lot since I’ve been here – we’ve stayed in games even when things aren’t going great,” he said. “The mentality comes from the group. Everyone gets along. We’re tight-knit. Anyone who has come in has joined and added to that. “It was like that when I got here. I’d like to think I was like that already but you’ve got to buy into any group. “If you don’t, you get left behind or left out.”