Match ends, Burnley 1, Brighton and Hove Albion 0.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche said he was "relieved" after his team climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with victory over Brighton.
The Clarets were 19th before Saturday's game, and without a win in their past eight league matches, but James Tarkowski's fortuitous first-half goal was enough to win a tight game at Turf Moor.
"It was a hard-earned and hard-fought win," Dyche told Match of the Day. "We thought we would have to dig in and we have done that.
"Performances have suggested we were getting back to that hardy edge that we know we have. We created chances but it wasn't about that today - it was about fight and spirit."
In a game of few chances, the Clarets took the lead five minutes before half-time as Tarkowski deflected in Jack Cork's shot with his chest.
Brighton failed to get going until the closing stages and rarely tested Joe Hart, though substitute Jurgen Locadia did spurn a great chance late on when he headed fellow substitute Glenn Murray's cross over the bar from six yards out.
Defeat leaves Brighton 11th while Burnley climb to 17th.
Asked about his post-match emotions, Dyche said: "I think a bit of relief, and enjoyment. We know we can play better but sometimes you have to grind. We did enough to get by."
Burnley back to their gritty best
On 13 December 2017, Burnley beat Stoke to move into the Premier League's top four. Almost a year on, this victory also gave Dyche's side upward momentum, but only out of the bottom three.
Despite their position in the lower reaches, though, there is cause for optimism for Dyche, with his side back to their gritty best.
The Clarets were much improved, controlling possession for much of the first half before making the breakthrough.
By the time Tarkowski scored, Brighton keeper Mat Ryan had already made two good saves in quick succession to deny Chris Wood and Robbie Brady, while Hart did not have a save to make in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Brady's cross just eluding Wood at the back post shortly after the break, and Lewis Dunk forced to make a fantastic sliding block to clear Ashley Barnes' low shot.
The hosts had to be resilient late in the game, Tarkowski and Ben Mee standing firm under a barrage of pressure as Burnley conjured up memories of their efforts in 2017-18.
Victory is Burnley's first since a 2-1 defeat of Cardiff on 30 September and comes before back-to-back away games against Tottenham and Arsenal.
Toothless Brighton fail to unpick Clarets
After their impressive victory over Crystal Palace on Tuesday, Brighton should have been high in confidence coming into the game, but that did not seem to be the case.
Their first shot did not arrive until the 19th minute, when Yves Bissouma drove infield and dragged an effort well wide, and they struggled to make an impression in the first half.
They did improve after the break - having nearly 70% of the possession - but still did little to test Hart.
In fact, their sole attempt on target did not come until the 93rd minute - when Murray had a header easily saved.
Neither Pascal Gross nor Davy Propper, who were both so influential in midweek, were unable to have a real impact as midfield counterparts Cork and Ashley Westwood took control.
But a position just outside the top half of the table at this stage of the season represents a solid start for Chris Hughton and his team.
"I thought our performance was really good," Hughton told Match of the Day.
"The only thing we were guilty of was having enough shots in the final third. On the balance of play I thought we were the better team."
Man of the match - James Tarkowski
'A massive day' - what they said
Burnley manager Sean Dyche, speaking to Match of the Day: "It was a hard-earned win and hard-fought. We never thought it would come from being free-flowing. We thought we would have to dig in and we have done that.
"A goal is a goal. When you find wins hard to come by and clean sheets hard to come by, 1-0 is a very pleasing result."
Brighton manager Chris Hughton, on Match of the Day: "I thought we were the better side. I thought we had the better chances in the game. We were up against a direct Burnley with a lot of physicality. I thought we dealt with it very well.
"They are a team that plays a certain way. You know on second balls they will be good and strong and that is how they got their goal."
Burnley goalscorer James Tarkowski, on Sky Sports: "It was a tough afternoon. We had to get a goal and hold on. We know we have not been playing great recently so it was a massive day and big three points."
Seagulls struggles on the road continue - the stats
- Brighton have won just two of their past 22 Premier League away games, drawing five and losing 15.
- The three Premier League matches between these sides have produced just one goal.
- Burnley registered a clean sheet at Turf Moor for only the third time in their past 18 league games there.
- Cork has had 'goal involvements' in consecutive Premier League appearances (assist v Brighton, goal v Liverpool) for the first time since March 2016 with Swansea.
What's next?
Burnley face a tricky test as they travel to Tottenham on Saturday, 15 December (15:00 GMT), before Brighton host Chelsea the following day (13:30).
Line-ups
Burnley
Formation 4-4-2
- 20Hart
- 26BardsleyBooked at 90mins
- 5TarkowskiBooked at 86mins
- 6Mee
- 3Taylor
- 7Berg GudmundssonSubstituted forLennonat 72'minutes
- 18Westwood
- 4Cork
- 12Brady
- 11Wood
- 10BarnesSubstituted forHendrickat 85'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Heaton
- 2Lowton
- 9Vokes
- 13Hendrick
- 25Lennon
- 27Vydra
- 28Long
Brighton
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Ryan
- 2Bruno
- 14Balogun
- 5Dunk
- 30Bernardo
- 13GroßSubstituted forStephensat 79'minutes
- 24Pröpper
- 8Bissouma
- 11KnockaertSubstituted forLocadiaat 63'minutes
- 10AndoneSubstituted forMurrayat 63'minutes
- 20March
Substitutes
- 3Bong
- 6Stephens
- 7Kayal
- 9Locadia
- 17Murray
- 23Steele
- 28White
- Referee:
- Martin Atkinson
- Attendance:
- 18,497
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home37%
- Away63%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away1
- Corners
- Home2
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Burnley 1, Brighton and Hove Albion 0.
Post update
Hand ball by Chris Wood (Burnley).
Post update
Attempt missed. Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right following a corner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Bernardo (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Solly March with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Joe Hart.
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Attempt saved. Glenn Murray (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Solly March with a cross.
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Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Chris Wood.
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Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by James Tarkowski.
Booking
Phil Bardsley (Burnley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Yves Bissouma (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Phil Bardsley (Burnley).
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Attempt missed. Solly March (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jürgen Locadia.
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Attempt missed. Jürgen Locadia (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Solly March with a cross following a set piece situation.
Booking
James Tarkowski (Burnley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Bernardo (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by James Tarkowski (Burnley).
Substitution
Substitution, Burnley. Jeff Hendrick replaces Ashley Barnes.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lewis Dunk (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Solly March with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Ben Mee.
Comments
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Well done Burnley. A much needed victory. In Sean we trust.
What a stupid comment. He actually broke his leg after sliding into the hoarding. The exellent tackle prior to that was not responsible. I note the moronic Liverpool fans do not mention the two slide tackles that Van Dijk and Robertson put in yesterday as being dangerous? Funny how they forget everything Liverpool do (Gerrard two foot tackle) and condemn others.
Burnley have spent £70m less than the nearest relegation rival. Very small club, massive fan/population ratio, live within your means approach - yes the next 5 matches might be losses, esp the next 2. Changing Dyche, the manager is a foolhardy approach, he is fantastic for the club and players. New manager at this stage is nuts, indeed Ightenhill nuts. Rosehill better.
You are an absolute disgrace with your trolling of every football forum spitting your usual bile and drivel. According to you drivel half the Premiership will be relegated this season. Given you cant add anything constructive to this football forum I suggest you go and play with your Lego. Clearly most other on this forum think your a complete silly little billy.
Good result but still a long way to go. Looking better at the back but still lacking something in attack.
Still need at least 8 wins to be near safety.
UTC