Defeat costs Burnley £4m as Dyche aims to tie down his key players

EVERY penny counts at Burnley and there must have been disquiet at how the final day unfolded as this defeat cost them around £4million. Not a great deal in the grand scheme of gargantuan Premier League wealth, and finishing 10th still brings significant financial reward, but this was a chance missed to finish eighth. The difference in prize money in those two places is effectively the annual salary of Sean Dyche (below). That would have been a handy bonus and Burnley knew it, Nick Pope running up for a stoppage-time corner in a bid to salvage a draw. That would have amounted to an extra £2m. Regardless, it has been another super campaign, in the top half for the second time in three years. From here, focus turns to recruitment. Dyche wants Burnley to become more proactive with contract extensions — several players are entering their final 12 months. ‘I know the financial framework but we’re in a healthy position,’ Dyche said. ‘It’s about how much support you can get. I don’t sign the contracts, I can only advise on reinforcements.’ It will be of no consolation to Pope, but the goal that deprived him of what would have been a richly deserved Golden Glove award was sumptuous. Yves Bissouma made it after 20 minutes, bending a strike into Pope’s top right-hand corner. Burnley were level on the stroke of half-time. Erik Pieters found Chris Wood who took two touches: one to control, another to beat Mat Ryan. Brighton led again after 50 minutes, Aaron Connolly firing home.