And breathe.
After a seemingly endless international break, Albion returned to the Amex in search of a much-needed home victory. A valiant, yet ultimately fruitless away performance at the Etihad something of confidence booster - if we can take the game to the reigning champions, surely we can put Burnley to the sword in our own backyard?
A lukewarm start to the Potter era; an incredibly satisfying victory away at Watford, two counts of dropped points vs West Ham and Saints, and the aforementioned ‘honourable thrashing’ away at City. Most concerning, of course, our disappointing home form. You got a definite sense this was a game we really needed to win, if anything to ease the nerves.
2pm rolled around and a whole host of intriguing and somewhat baffling changes. Our defence very much the Land of the Giants, a 6ft 3 plus quartet of Adam Webster, Duffy, Dunk and Burn. No Montoya, Bernardo or Jahanbakhsh in the 18. The latter seemingly an unforced decision, and not a good sign for Ali J. Potter instead opting for 4 central midfielders on the bench, 2 of which are youngsters who’ve played no PL minutes, + the very recently returned Bissouma. So recently returned in fact, no one seemed to have any clue he was even back training, assuming he was. Days are surely numbered for Iran’s most popular export.
Game underway, and a sluggish start from the good guys, Potter rightly admitting post-match that for the opening 20 Burnley were the superior outfit. A lucky escape as McNeil darts down the left, a mob of titanic, lumbering Albion defenders retreat, Pröpper giving chase. The winger cuts back, and ball ends up deflecting of Dan Burn just over. Imagine that for an Amex record. 3 games, 2 VAR infractions cancelling out Albion goals and an own goal to boot.
Still all Burnley, as Cork gets free in the box, chests the ball down and fires at goal. A sea of Albion bodies on the line, and the Albion defensive ranks do just enough with Wood lurking to get the ball to the safety of Ryan’s gloves. Worrying scenes, no particularly dismal performances but overall the Seagulls were struggling to get going against Burnley’s combative approach. As impressive as Burn has been over the start of the season, lining up at LWB didn’t embellish his quality.
Almost 20 minutes gone, and at last something of note for the home side. A system change too, now a flat back 4 with Webster right back, Burn left. Some neat build-up and a trademark switch of play from Lewis Dunk finds March. Solly knocks the ball past his counterpart McNeil and bustles past him, leaving the impressive Burnley man on the floor. His pullback finds Pascal, who can only help the ball wide of the target.
A minute later, a slick transition nearly had Maupay in, but the ball just ran away from the Frenchman at the vital moment. Lovely link-up from Murray and Burn though - despite some disappointing final results we are definitely on our way to becoming a very exciting and attractive side.
Albion’s domination continues, Burnley unable to get a foot on the ball as we near the interval. Pröpper does well to break up play, then threads a delightfully clever ball to Groß in between the lines. The German playmaker then picks out March in space once again...but his low shot is parried away by Pope. Sake. Need one of these to go in.
A word on Davy Pröpper - maestro. If you had to add a few more words...the Dutchman was effortlessly in control. Perhaps flattering to deceive over recent months, but there is no doubting his quality. Strong, smart, and silky - it was an entirely complete and wonderfully enjoyable midfield performance.
Another gorgeous clipped pass from Dunk - HOW has he not been rewarded with another England call up, while the muppet show of Keane and Maguire are gifting plucky Kosovo goals left right and centre? Tarkowski certainly a good player too, but Lewis outshone both of Burnley’s and all 3 other Albion centre backs with ease.
Groß takes the captain’s pass, and Albion try to move the ball with purpose. Promising incisive pass from Stephens, but Murray’s lay-off escapes a teammate, and the Clarets look to break. Wood is threaded in, just Lewis Dunk for company. Seconds after showing his talents building up play, Dunk slides in with an emphatic challenge. Excellent, committed defensive play from our captain. It’s worked wide to March once again, five minutes before the break. Now perhaps the most controversial moment in an otherwise straightforward affair.
Solly sends a clever pass over the top to Murray, who takes the ball in his stride nicely. Glenn gets his body in between Lowton and ball, who has absolutely zero patience in defending and shoves the forward to the ground. That looked like a pen. But obviously, we really wouldn’t want VAR to interfere. Well, I mean check it of course. Give us a nice confused pause, but ultimately don’t try and implement the correct decision. That would be unnecessary.
Two more presentable chances go begging before the break - both falling to Murray. Still without a league goal this season, not great by his very high standards. First glancing the ball wide as March sends in the cross...huge missed opportunity. The next chance less so, another excellent forward pass from Stephens, and a clever cutback from Pascal to the edge of the box. Murray comes onto the ball and tries to measure the finish, precise, but not enough power.
That’s half time. No idea whether to massively encouraged, or frustrated beyond belief. I’ll go with the former - plenty of time for frustration after the game, eh?
After 15 minutes, and a presumably calm and encouraging pep-talk from Potter, and Albion return to the field. The home side continue to exert a stranglehold of control over the Clarets, Murray nearly forcing an own-goal as he turns smartly at the by-line. A well-worked corner allows Stephens a chance to strike at goal...blocked by the resolute Burnley defence. Can’t begrudge their tenacity and discipline. But it is bloody infuriating. PUT ONE IN ALBION.
Next the turn of Maupay to threaten the goal - Groß plays him down the line with an outside the foot pass, he advances towards goal, but is thwarted by the foot of Pope. See above - PUT. ONE. IN. ALBION.
Wish answered. Ryan launches a throw out to Adam Webster, who marauds all the way up to the edge of the Burnley area and pokes the ball through to Davy Pröpper. The Dutchman turns out of trouble and presents the ball to March. Solly goes past one, then delays...and delays...CROSS THE BALL! Another few seconds the winger is paused, statuesque. Then he lifts the ball into the area, where Maupay is lurking, alert and ready to turn the ball home.
Get in there. The Frenchman sprints away in celebration - to hell with VAR, this one better bloody count. Neil gestures to his name on the back of his shirt, he’s very much arrived, and making an impact. Take notes Alireza (If you haven’t been loaned off to the French second-tier already)
Play restarts and the encounter settled back into the previous pattern of play. Brighton still in control, Pascal feeds Glenn who turns back past the sprawling Tarkowski. The veteran striker clips the ball back across onto the head of Pröpper. 2-0 surely. Nope, it bounces off the midfielder’s head and sails harmlessly over. We all know where this game is going, SAKE. Unpreventable, desperate disaster.
Another positive as Connolly makes his second Premier League appearance - just one half-chance for the youngster, as Pascal threads him through, but he can only find the side netting. Huge potential of course, with Ireland boss Mick McCarthy singing his praises following the striker’s international exploits. Who needs Andone and Locadia?
Just the four minutes to go. A brave and enjoyable second-half performance, and the first half was pretty good too after a nervy start. We can be proud of the players, Burnley are not a terrible side, but we are certainly superior on this evidence. A first home win since the 2nd of March deserved without question…
Oh dear. Typically, classically, predictably, Burnley score with their first shot on target. One for the xG obsessives, by no means their best chance, a very well taken drive from substitute Jeff Hendricks. Maybe we should look into hiring a defensive-minded coach to add to the training ground staff, so we can get back to our resolute best while maintaining all of Mr. Potter’s attacking enterprise. Anyone know an out of work exceptional defensive coach? Hmm.
Sucker punched yet again, and the wait for an Amex victory goes on. The final whistle sounds, and it’s just impossible to be upbeat. Roll on Newcastle. Maybe we’re just an away team now?
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