How it happened: Burnley 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Saturday 14th August saw an eagerly awaited return to Premier League action for the Seagulls as their campaign kicked off at Turf Moor against Burnley.
Graham Potter showed attacking intent to start the season with a 4-1-4-1 formation, including the return of Shane Duffy in partnership with captain Lewis Dunk to form the core of the defence.
New signing Enoch Mwepu made his debut alongside Yves Bissouma at the heart of midfield and birthday boy Neal Maupay spearheaded the attack.
This was the Albion’s first chance to answer those questions being asked of how the defence would fair without England international Ben White, who has departed to Arsenal for £50 million.
The season got off to the worst possible start for Brighton with Burnley getting on the scoreboard and taking the lead only two minutes after kick off.
Following this dismal beginning, things almost became even worse as Burnley hit the woodwork, came close with a header from a corner, followed by Ben Mee putting ahead against the bar.
Brighton’s defence were on the backfoot but they managed to hold their nerve when it mattered most to make it to the break only one goal behind. The momentum had already started to swing before the first half was over, the Albion coming more into the game as Maupay nearly got off the mark with a close call headed attempt.
Half time saw Adam Lallana come on for Mwepu as Potter looked to settle the midfield, using Lallana’s experience to try and turn the tide of the match.
This change proved to work well and Potter’s men continued the second half in a much more settled and confident manner, looking to press the Burnley defence and apply more and more pressure.
Birthday boy Maupay was the reason for the first set of celebrations as he struck for the Seagulls in the 73rd minute. The goal came at the end of a great patch of build up play which saw Bissouma play a fantastic ball through to Jakub Moder. Midfielder Moder had only been on the pitch for a minute he crossed for the reaching Maupay to level the game at 1-1.
It was not long afterwards that Brighton took the lead through the Argentine Alexis Mac Allister, who scored five minutes after Maupay. The quick turnaround reflected a real determination in this Brighton team, who were not prepared to leave Turf Moor without all three points.
As well as a birthday goal, Maupay also walked away with a yellow birthday card generously given to him by the referee. Duffy claimed the man-of-the-match award, proving invaluable on his return to silence the doubters wondering how Brighton can replace White and also reminding everyone of his own personal quality. Potter afterwards described Duffy as “immense”.
The full time statistics revealed that Brighton were good value for their win. A dominant display saw them hold 64 percent of the possession and record 14 shots, of which eight were on target.
Brighton will be welcomed back to the Amex stadium with open arms after securing all three points at Turf Moor as they look to keep the momentum going in front of their home crowd against newly promoted Watford next weekend.
