Burnley back in Europe but Seagulls still not safe
BURNLEY are going into Europe. And Brighton, it would appear, are going to the wire.
A rather limp goalless draw at Turf Moor was only half the story as results elsewhere in the Premier League had an equal impact on these two clubs.
Leicester’s defeat at Crystal Palace means that Burnley will end a 51-year absence from European competition unless they lose their remaining two fixtures, Everton win both theirs, and there is a 15-goal swing.
Quite simply, it’s not going to happen, so Sean Dyche can start preparing for Thursday nights in the Europa League.
The Burnley manager is already looking forward to the prospect. ‘We’re excited,’ said Dyche. ‘Some people are suggesting otherwise, but how can it not be a positive for Burnley Football club to have the chance of European competition?
‘The players deserve huge credit. We’ve come a mile since the beginning of the season. A long way. We want to take on the last two games and perform properly.’
If the benefit of a point was immediately apparent for Burnley, Brighton’s situation is not so clear-cut.
A draw at Turf Moor was not the worst result in the world and leaves Chris Hughton’s side five points clear of relegation.
It would require a disastrous combination of results to send them down now, but Southampton’s win over Bournemouth means it is still possible.
Considering Brighton’s remaining fixtures are against the two Manchester clubs and Liverpool, Hughton’s caution was understandable.
‘We’ll see, won’t we?’ he said. ‘You have to look forward to that challenge and the next one is at home to Man United. We’ve had two very good displays away to them, and we’re going to have to show these qualities in the next games in the belief we can get more points. There’s just the teeniest disappointment that we didn’t get more out of this game. We hope in the end it’s enough.’
There was very little goalmouth incident to set pulses racing besides a crazy scramble in the first half. It began with Joey Gudmundsson’s free kick pumped into the penalty box which was inadvertently directed towards his own goal by Brighton skipper Bruno.
Ashley Barnes lunged in hoping to turn the ball over the line, but keeper Mat Ryan kept it out and then two follow-up efforts from Jack Cork as players piled in. Brighton thought they had escaped but James Tarkowski backheeled the ball across goal. Kevin Long tried to turn it in, and Burnley appealed in vain for handball as it hit the post and Lewis Dunk on the arm. Referee Roger East rejected another appeal just before half-time when Long’s header connected with Bruno’s right arm.
‘It’s been over a year but eventually we’ll get a penalty,’ said Dyche.