Brighton eased past Burnley 2-0 at the Amex Stadium on Saturday as the Seagulls recorded their first win in seven.
WATCH — Full match replay
Georginio Rutter put Fabian Hurzeler’s side ahead in the first half and Yasin Ayari doubled their lead early in second as Brighton bounced back from a winless December to start January off with a victory.
With the win Brighton move on to 28 points, while Scott Parker’s Burnley are without a win in 11 as they remain in the relegation zone on 12 points and are six points from safety.
European opportunity knocks for Brighton
Between now and early March there is a real opportunity for Brighton to kick on and cement their European hopes. After a bright start to the season which saw the Seagulls go fifth in late November, they struggled massively in December as they failed to win all six of their games. But a run of games in-between a trip to Man City in a few days and hosting Arsenal in early March provides a real opportunity to stay in the top eight hunt, which was their aim at the start of the season. Brighton have a host of winnable games over the next two months and this will define their season. With Kaoru Mitoma returning to fitness and form, the re-signed Pascal Gross’ adding experience and quality, plus Rutter looking sharp and Carlos Baleba returning from AFCON soon, they will only get better. As long as they can keep improving defensively, Brighton have so many options and quality in attack that they will win tight games. The Seagulls now have an opportunity to soar up the table as we approach spring.
What’s next?
Brighton head to Manchester City on Wednesday, January 7. Burnley host Manchester United on the same day.
Brighton vs Burnley score: 2-0
Rutter 29', Ayari 47'
Brighton vs Burnley live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Florentino causes chaos
Ayari is lucky as Florentino wins the ball from him in the box. His cross is then deflected off a Brighton player towards their goal but Verbruggen saves. Almost a late consolation for Burnley.
De Cuyper hits the post!
A wonderful free kick from the sub De Cuyper smashes the post as he curls a beauty towards goal. So close to a third goal late on for Brighton.
Burnley hit the crossbar!
A corner is whipped in to the back post and sub Loum Tchaouna heads the ball on goal but Brighton somehow clear as it hits the bar. Burnley so close to pulling one back.
Kostoulas should make it 3-0, twice!
Brighton win the ball back on the edge of the Burnley box and Kostoulas is in. But he drills his shot straight at Dubravka. Moments later Ayari whips in a lovely ball but Kostoulas is stretching and can’t get clean contact on his effort from close range. The youngster is still searching for his first Premier League goal.
Ayari scores a beauty!
Yasin Ayari scores right at the start of the second half to double Brighton’s lead. The Seagulls keep the pressure on to win the ball back on the edge of the box and Ayari takes a big touch wide and drills across goal. 2-0. Game over?
Half time: Brighton 1-0 Burnley
This scoreline is about right as Brighton have been the more adventurous team. But Burnley are still in this.
Verbruggen denies Pires
Big chance for Burnley to equalize right on half time as the overlapping Lucas Pires is played in down the left side of the box. His low shot across goal is saved really well by the legs of Verbruggen.
Rutter smashes home!
After a few surging runs, Georginio Rutter finally breaks through. He charges down the right but is tackled. But the ball falls to Ayari and his shot deflects straight to Rutter who is back on his feet and smashes home across goal. 1-0 to Brighton and they deserve it. Especially Rutter!
Very few chances so far
Not a great start to this game. Very few chances for either side and Burnley will be delighted with that.
Van Hecke goes close with a header
A corner is glanced on by Van Hecke but his header goes just over. Really good chance for Brighton to score the opener.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Ayari, Gomez; Gruda, Rutter, Mitoma; Kostoulas
Burnley lineup
Dubravka; Laurent, Ekdal, Humphreys; Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, Pires; Anthony, Broja, Bruun Larsen
Brighton team news, focus
OUT: Mats Wieffer (toe), Carlos Baleba (international duty - AFCON), Adam Webster (knee), Solly March (knee), Stefanos Tzimas (unspecified) | QUESTIONABLE: Yankuba Minteh (dead leg)
Burnley team news, focus
OUT: Josh Cullen (knee), Hannibal Mejbri (suspension), Lyle Foster (international duty - AFCON), Axel Tuanzebe (international duty - AFCON), Zeki Amdouni (knee), Jordan Beyer (knee), Connor Roberts (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Maxime Esteve (undisclosed), Joe Worrall (undisclosed), Zian Flemming (unspecified)
Brighton vs Burnley preview
The Seagulls have taken just three points from their last six games including a pair of draws with 18th-place West Ham. Losses to Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Arsenal are understandable but Fabian Hurzeler expects much more from his men. Burnley enter the game starving for a win as well, as the 19th-place Clarets have taken just two points from the last 30 available to them.
Draws with Bournemouth and Everton have shown that Scott Parker’s Clarets can turn a corner, as have decent performances away to Newcastle and home to Fulham. Burnley’s last match out, however, was a 3-1 loss versus Newcastle at Turf Moor. Wins have to come soon as the rest of the relegation candidates are moving further away from Burnley, who are six points back of 17th, nine shy of 16th, and 11 behind 15th.
Brighton vs Burnley prediction
Hurzeler will really feel pressure if he’s unable to collect all three points at home to Burnley. The two sides have not met this season and goals could be the difference here. Brighton have better weapons in that tournament and that could be enough to tell the tale their way. Brighton 1-0 Burnley.
How to watch Brighton vs Burnley live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Amex Stadium — Falmer
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on USA Network
