Wieffer scores twice as Brighton enhances European ambitions with victory over struggling Burnley

Although Burnley were acutely aware that their relegation fate was practically sealed, they began the match with intent, finding the net within the first ten minutes thanks to a left-footed strike from Jaidon Anthony that curled into the far corner.

However, a minute VAR review revealed that a small part of his shoulder had been offside.

This was one of the scant opportunities for the Clarets, who quickly reverted to defending resolutely, managing to limit the Seagulls to a wayward shot from Yankuba Minteh within the box, with little else to trouble them.

However, Danny Welbeck finally tested Burnley’s Martin Dubravka, as he sought to equal the club record for most Premier League goals in a single season. Unfortunately for Welbeck, his shot was comfortably saved, reflecting the difficulties both teams experienced in front of goal.

The breakthrough for Brighton came just before half-time, as a lacklustre defensive display from Burnley allowed Mats Wieffer to slip into the area and convert Pascal Gross’ delivery with ease.

Scott Parker’s side emerged from the half-time break with renewed vigour, only to see joy snuffed out again due to an offside call against Bashir Humphreys after Bart Verbruggen mishandled James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick into his direction.

Brighton soon regained control, with Dubravka making a spectacular one-handed save to deny Jack Hinshelwood’s curling shot.

Burnley’s woes weren’t due to a lack of effort, but rather a deficiency in quality, as even the introduction of striker Armando Broja in the latter stages failed to make a significant difference to their attacking struggles.

Brighton, on the other hand, experienced minimal problems in maintaining their lead, securing three points that provisionally lifted them to eighth place, just three points shy of sixth, capped off by a second goal from Wieffer who finished emphatically from just outside the box in the dying moments.

For Burnley, the defeat marks a likely end to their hopes of survival, with relegation almost a certainty unless an unlikely winning streak occurs in their remaining fixtures.

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