Analysis: A daunting challenge to avoid droppublished at 17:55 BST
17:55 BST
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Burnley supporters did not hide their frustration at the final whistle as their club fell to a 2-0 defeat by Brighton at Turf Moor - a fourth loss in five matches.
But their players showed plenty of spirit and made things extremely difficult for the Seagulls before being ultimately beaten by a clinical display from their opponents.
They had the ball in the net in both halves as Jaidon Anthony and Bashir Humphreys thought they had scored, but lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) reviews were needed to chalk off both strikes by narrow margins.
Dutch striker Zian Flemming, who has been one of the rare bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Burnley, was denied an equaliser by a good save from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen with his legs.
In total, the Clarets attempted 10 shots, with five on target - compared to Brighton's six on target from 13 attempts.
Now with only one win in their last 23 league matches and 12 points from safety after West Ham's 4-0 win against bottom club Wolves on Friday, the Clarets face a daunting challenge to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.
The only hope of a miraculous escape is the fact they play three sides in the bottom six - Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Wolves - in the run-in.
Burnley v Brighton: Team newspublished at 14:09 BST
14:09 BST
Image source, BBC Sport
Burnley boss Scott Parkers makes four changes from a 3-1 defeat by Burnley before the international break.
Lesley Ugochukwu, Marcus Edwards, Hjalmar Ekdal and Florentino Luis all start ahead of Hannibal Mejbri, Kyle Walker, Lyle Foster and suspended Josh Laurent.
Sutton's predictions: Burnley v Brightonpublished at 11:30 BST
11:30 BST
Brighton are another team who had hit a bit of form when the season paused.
After going through a sticky patch under Fabian Hurzeler, they have won four of their past five games - and I can see them winning this one too.
Burnley are always competitive, and you can see them digging in again at home, but that approach has not translated into many positive results.
As I've said for a while now, they are going down. It is more about what happens next season and whether they stick with manager Scott Parker to try to get them back up. Their fans don't appear to be convinced by him.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brentford v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Fulham".
Burnley v Brighton & Hove Albion: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:04 BST 10 April
19:04 BST 10 April
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Brighton can give their European chances a major boost on Saturday, as they face Burnley at Turf Moor (15:00 BST) in the Premier League.
The Seagulls have bounced back well in recent weeks after a tough start to the calendar year. Any slender concerns around relegation have been banished by a run of four wins in five games, including an impressive 2-1 win against Liverpool last time out. They go into the weekend in 10th, just three points off the top seven.
As for Burnley, they are 10 points from safety with seven matches to play. It would take a remarkable turnaround in form for Scott Parker's side to pull themselves back into contention to stay up.
Burnley battling the inevitable
After a run of three draws and a win in all competitions in January, there was a small sense of Burnley building momentum. But their subsequent failure to kick on means relegation is almost certain at this stage.
Parker has been unable to find a formula that works at either end of the pitch this season. Up top, they have occasionally clicked into gear - albeit they have had the fewest shots (excluding blocked efforts) in the Premier League this season - but at the back they've consistently leaked goals.
Their total of 61 goals conceded is the highest of any team going into the weekend fixtures and in terms of style, Brighton do not appear to be an ideal match up.
The Seagulls rank first for high turnovers and only Tottenham Hotspur have faced more high turnovers than Burnley this season.
Still, in the past this fixture has been tight. Seven of the 13 Premier League meetings between Burnley and Brighton have been drawn, with both sides winning three. But at this stage, it feels like only wins will do for the Clarets.
Brighton bounce back
Losses to Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in February felt like they could have been the beginning of the end for Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton, with supporters unhappy and the team toiling. But they have recovered superbly.
A 2-0 win at Brentford sparked a major turnaround in fortunes, and such is the congested nature of the table that the Seagulls are suddenly well in the mix for a European place.
The team have definitely tightened up in that time and have relied on the scoring exploits of Danny Welbeck to give them an edge. His brace against Liverpool took him to 12 goals for the season, one behind Glenn Murray's Premier League record for Brighton of 13.
Welbeck is also enjoying one of the most prolific seasons for a player of his age in Premier League history.
Brighton have also relied on a veteran in midfield. James Milner started his first game of the calendar year in the narrow loss to Villa and has been in the XI for all four of the wins across the past five games; he missed the only defeat in that run, against Arsenal.
While there has naturally been a lot of focus on Milner recently breaking the Premier League appearance record, he can still have an impact on games too and can still mix it physically as a 40-year-old.
In the first three of those starts he covered 11.63 km against Brentford, 11.4 km against Nottingham Forest and 11.94 km against Sunderland, the fourth, third and second highest in each fixture respectively.
'Greatest moment of my career' - Tuanzebe on reaching World Cuppublished at 18:15 BST 9 April
18:15 BST 9 April
Media caption,
During the international break, Axel Tuanzebe helped DR Congo reach their first World Cup in 52 years, and he called it "the greatest moment of my career."
Tuanzebe scored the winning goal in the World Cup play-off final against Jamaica to send his country to the showpiece event this summer.
Discussing the moment he made history, the defender said: "The manager spoke to me briefly after the game. He was emotional, in tears, and he was just relieved that we got the goal because the pressure was huge coming from the country and doing it for the country.
"There's a different sort of element when you're playing for your nation. Expectations, and you can see the other side of it, scrutiny side of it, should you lose.
"We all knew what was at stake. A lot of nerves creeping into the performance, but again, just great to get it over the line."
You can listen to the full interview with Tuanzebe by pressing play on the clip above
Fear, anger or excitement - how are Burnley fans feeling?published at 17:19 BST 9 April
17:19 BST 9 April
The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.
Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.
So how are you feeling as an Burnley fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?
The league form reads: WDLLDL
The next three league fixtures are: Brighton (h), Nottingham Forest (a) and Manchester City (h)
Parker on injuries, Tuanzebe and 'pure focus'published at 14:26 BST 9 April
14:26 BST 9 April
Holly Bacon BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Burnley boss Scott Parker has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at Turf Moor (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
The Burnley boss said the break has been good for everyone at the club: "It has been a long period, probably the longest that I've ever experienced. We had some downtime, gave the players some downtime, certainly after the Fulham game just to recuperate for many reasons - physically and mentally - and then we've worked pretty tough over the past couple of weeks. It has been a good period for all of us."
Parker feels it was a "massive achievement" for Axel Tuanzebe to score the goal that secured World Cup qualification for DR Congo. He added: "I've seen the adulation he's got since he's got back, rightly so."
He hopes Tuanzebe is fit to face Brighton: "He's not played a lot of football, obviously, and he's gone away and played 120 minutes. So he's come back in late as well so we'll see."
Parker said Mike Tresor has "progressed more now, [but will need] a few more weeks training" and that Zeki Amdouni is back with them on the grass "albeit a bit modified". He also confirmed Jordan Beyer and Connor Roberts will still be a "little way off", while Hannibal Mejbri is probably a couple of weeks away, however, his issue is "not as bad" as they initially thought.
The Burnley boss acknowledged they can't deny the challenge ahead is beginning to change with seven games of the season to go: "The longer you go on, every game that skips away that you don't manage to pick up those points, that challenge becomes much bigger."
Parker insisted he has "pure focus" and looking at what might happen is a "drainer". He added: "It can only bring more doubt and you're certainly not going to get the best version [of yourselves]."
You can join Gary Hunt & Steve Eyre on BBC Radio Lancashire for commentary on 95.5FM on Saturday
Should Clarets seek continuity again?published at 08:23 BST 7 April
08:23 BST 7 April
Natalie Bromley Fan writer
Kieran Trippier has announced his intention to leave Newcastle at the end of the season. While I don't expect this will happen - it's expected he'll probably end up in Saudi Arabia from what I've read - it did get me wondering whether I would consider having him back at Burnley.
Trippier was part of that early squad of Sean Dyche players, along with Danny Ings. Each stayed with the club for a really good spell before going on to much bigger careers.
And I miss that. It wasn't that long ago that squads were built and stayed together over promotions and relegations. Solid relationships were built with fans and players earned their chants from the terraces. We felt together.
For the longest time now, Burnley have been selling entire squads season after season and fans feel a massive disconnect with the team on the pitch.
When Trippier and Ings left, they left as local boys. One of us. Ings established a disability trust in his name which continued for long after he left.
Do we see this any more? We definitely don't at Burnley, and I wonder if this is the case across the football world or is it just an East Lancashire problem?
I'm at that stage of the season now when I'm done with the misery and trying to shift my mindset to look forward to a new start in the Championship. And for once this feels OK, because the benefit of such a high turnover of players is that I'm probably not going to miss any of them when they're gone.
On to the next chapter. And perhaps we wouldn't go too far amiss to welcome back some old familiar faces.
'Championship will be a competitive league'published at 12:28 BST 31 March
12:28 BST 31 March
Natalie Bromley Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Thoughts that have been dominating my mind this week: my goodness, the Championship next season is going to be tough.
Let's back up for a moment and recap on Burnley's success story in the Championship. Starting with their first promotion to the Premier League in 2009, the Clarets have spent 10 seasons out of 17 in the top flight, a statistic that is often overlooked. In their past four seasons in the second tier, they have finished first twice and second twice.
Two of those seasons have ended with points totalling over 100.
It is perhaps not unreasonable to assume that Scott Parker's side will simply run over the Championship again next season, before their biennial return to the Premier League.
Add to that roster Ipswich,Southampton,Wrexham,Millwall etc - only one of which can get through the last ever four-team play-off - and you have got yourself one heck of a competitive league.
Burnley's board should be worried, especially as they risk going into that campaign with low morale and a fractured relationship between manager and fan base.
While we expect that most, if not all, of the current squad will once again depart Turf Moor in the summer, one player I am keen to hold onto is Zian Flemming. With eight goals in 14 starts in his first ever season in the top flight, he can be proud of his step-up. We are most definitely going to need those goals next season.
Clarets yet to show 'even the smallest molecule of fight'published at 08:23 GMT 25 March
08:23 GMT 25 March
Natalie Bromley Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I have actually run out of things to say about this Burnley side and Scott Parker.
I have also stopped trying to work out what is going on at the club and why this apathetic season has been allowed to continue in the manner it has.
This latest international break coincides with season ticket sales launching. It feels like the perfect opportunity for the club to reset from top to bottom, relieving Parker of his duties, setting out what our goals are and the direction we want to go in.
The alternative? The club leaves Parker in charge and goes into a profoundly important Championship season with staleness of ideas, a fractured relationship with its fans, and a set of players who are either heading out of the door or lacking any self-confidence.
We looked OK for large parts of the first half against Fulham and the opening goal was the result of some really excellent build-up play, but then Parker did what Parker does best. We were too cautious, too defensive and too scared to go for a more comprehensive win.
So we conceded. Then conceded again. And finally gave away a lazy penalty.
I am beyond frustrated by Parker's never-changing approach to games. It doesn't work. It hasn't worked all season. Why on earth does he think it will work now?!
With Tottenham, West Ham and Nottingham Forest all in trouble, the relegation battle is starting to get really exciting. It would have been fantastic if we had shown even the smallest molecule of fight in us to have been a part of that.
Instead, we are just patiently counting down until this is all over and we can forget this whole season ever happened.
James: It was a great game. Amazing performance from the team and a well-deserved three points. Super happy that Josh King got his goal as it is a major confidence boost for him and the rest of our season as we push for Europe.
Brian: Job done, but not without another show of misplaced passes and static defending. Burnley gave us a game and (almost) deserved their goal. So proud that King finally got his goal - cracking lad and fully committed. We're all hanging on Marco Silva's decision now and hoping he'll stay...
Miles: We lacked tempo for 60 minutes until Burnley scored. More late subs from an ever-belligerent Silva in that regard. Anyway, we hit third gear thereafter, driven by man of the match Harry Wilson (who will be moving on to bigger things in the summer, no doubt). Reservations remain about Silva's in-game decision-making, but we are up to eighth. COYW!
Steve: Nice result for us. But it leaves us flirting with the European places, which I believe would be our undoing - how many other 'small' clubs with limited playing resources have crashed and burned with the extra workload? Ninth will be just fine, thank you, until we can increase the size/depth of our squad.
Burnley fans
Tom: Burnley are finished now and it's far too late to do anything about it. They have a squad of, at best, average players who are totally demoralised and confused by the strategic and tactical incompetence of their 'coach'. Since that is the man who put this 'squad' together, it is clear who is responsible for the club's decline. It is hard to see how this Burnley can even survive in the Championship since the few players who know how to play football will leave as soon as they can.
Joe: I don't know why I keep watching. It's pathetic and I, among others, just want this season to end. Scott Parker doesn't know what he's doing and it's clear to see - the players have given up, the fans have given up and the owners might not even know this is happening as they're probably sunning themselves with their other club. The future looks grim.
Graham: Another "almost" afternoon. Almost an early lead. Almost the better football. Almost a penalty save. Almost a Premier League team.
John: Sitting back after taking the lead had disaster written all over it. If Burnley had continued playing as they had up to the goal, they would have probably got at least a point.
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 10:16 GMT 22 March
10:16 GMT 22 March
Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
Burnley analysis: Clarets toil at both ends of pitchpublished at 18:19 GMT 21 March
18:19 GMT 21 March
Steven Sutcliffe BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Before scoring Zian Flemming had twice been unable to capitalise on opportunities to put the Clarets ahead.
The Dutch forward was unfortunate with a shot that struck Fulham defender Calvin Bassey on the arm but arguably should have done better with a close-range header that was straight at home goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
When he did register his eighth goal of the campaign, it came during a period in which the visitors looked comfortable in the game.
However, Burnley's defensive fragilities came back to bite them.
The Clarets have now kept just one clean sheet in their past 42 top-flight matches on their travels and on this evidence, it is easy to understand why.
Josh King's goal arrived directly from a Martin Dubravka error, while Harry Wilson - a player known for his shooting ability on his left-foot - was allowed to drift inside and unload an effort without a challenge being made by three retreating Burnley defenders.
And to compound matters, Josh Laurent's dismissal for a desperate shove on Jimenez as he faced up Dubravka, was a result of the former Wolves striker being allowed to run through a huge void in the middle of the Burnley back four.
Fulham 3-1 Burnley: What Parker saidpublished at 17:53 GMT 21 March
17:53 GMT 21 March
Media caption,
Burnley manager Scott Parker speaking to BBC MOTD after their 3-1 defeat by Fulham: "For 60 minutes we were very good. We created opportunities, we were brave and had chances that we didn't finish. They had some as well and we had to weather things. Their first goal was a bit of a hammer-blow. We're chasing the game towards the back end and it becomes a bit open. Disappointed with the result but pleased with certain points of our performance."
Three preventative goals? "They were - that's fair. The first and second - [Harry] Wilson coming in on his left foot - these are fine details and the ruthlessness, if you get those a bit wrong you get punished. We've experienced that a lot this year."
On Raul Jimenez penalty: "Initially I was questioning the actual penalty decision. But then someone said you can't step back on a penalty so I was questioning that - that you can't step back on the run up. The fourth official told me that's not the case and that you can do that."
On overall morale in dressing room: "I see a lot of positive things. This group every time they step over the line they are full of commitment. We showed come courage, bravery and certainly the predicament we're in. This is a young squad experiencing different things - technically, tactically and psychologically. I was pleased with certain parts.
"That's the constant drive - you don't have a choice and sometimes in life you don't have a choice. We can be critical when we've fallen short but seven games left and I can guarantee you this team will be fully committed."
Did you know?
Kyle Walker has lost 17 of his 29 Premier League games with Burnley this season, as many defeats as he suffered in his final five campaigns with Manchester City combined (17 in 118 games).
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Burnley" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Chelsea".
Image source, Getty Images
