Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Burnley 1
By Tim Hodges from the Amex.
Nine-man Albion narrowly lost this afternoon in a farcical match which inspired the Albion faithful to create a unique atmosphere.
Gus Poyet’s Albion incredibly threw everything at Burnley despite having two less men than the visitors for about 75 minutes.
Albion looked lively from the off, with rejuvenated Kezenga Lua Lua giving the Burnley defence plenty to think about.
Just as the Seagulls were getting into their stride and whilst awaiting for a goal kick, referee Craig Pawson had a long chat with one of assistants and the 4th official, the shocking outcome of this meeting was the instant dismissal of Romain Vincelot, allegedly for violent conduct.
Albion had to quickly re-adjust and were still pressing Burnley. Harley was involved with some neat passing and link-up play with Craig Mackail-Smith.
Ashley Barnes then mis-timed and challenge in the midfield area, the Burnley player, McCann, appeared to make a meal of the incident, immediately grabbing Barnes around the throat. Incredibly when what appeared to be just the formality of the second red card of the afternoon was about to be shown, it was shown to Barnes, taking the Seagulls down to nine men.
The Albion now had to throw any game plan out of the window. Lua Lua and Harley were replaced by Noone and Navarro.
Still Albion tried attack their opponents. Craig Mackail-Smith was chasing after every ball the Albion managed to play forward and captain Gordon Greer was inching his way further up the pitch with every attacking move.
The Seagulls were undone though from a corner. The ball was played to full back Trippier who picked his spot from the edge of area, to put Burnley one up, with just over half an hour gone, though it seemed much much longer.
Soon after, Craig Noone was clattered into by Edgar in the Burnley penalty area, unsurprisingly our referee played on with a goal – kick.
Then on the left hand side of the pitch Burnley full back Mee, took none of the ball and all of Craig Noone, Ref, Pawson just turned with the direction of the ball and again, despite the blatant foul played on.
That was one bizarre decision too much for Gus Poyet, who unzipped his bench coat threw it to the ground and strode purposefully down the tunnel.
The Albion boss did reappear before half time, just as Burnley were denied by a great save from Caspar Ankergren.
At half -time Albion Legend Brain Horton seemed as perplexed by the first half incidents as anyone in the crowd.
As the second half started it was clear the Albion were adopting a training ground ‘defence v attack’ mentality.
Maurico Taricco who started as the match as full back maintained that position, but also occupied a role just behind Craig Mackail- Smith.
At every opportunity the Albion got the ball out wide to Noone. He was causing Burnley problems with his pace, but generally had only Tarricco and Mackail-Smith to aim at in the centre.
Adam El Abd making his first Amex start was pushing up into midfield to help out Navarro whenever he could, as Burnley did their best to frustrate the Seagulls by knocking the ball around aimlessly, even when in good positions.
The tide was turning as some quite strange decisions went Albion’s way. One wag in the crowd fancied one of the assistants had pointed out to ref Pawson at half time, that the former had a wife and kids to think about.
Ankergren must have been slightly aggrieved that a fantastic tip round the post resulted in a goal kick! The fans were now really behind the Seagulls as the theme tune to the great escape was bellowed from all four corners of the Amex. But could the Albion leap that fence?
Towards the end of the match it was Burnley who were hanging on to their lead for dear life.
Twice in quick succession Noone after beating 3 or 4 players whipped a cross for Mackail-Smith, who was narrowly wide on each occasion.
Then a ball out of defence from Greer, found Tarrico in space on the edge of the area, but his shot was saved by Grant.
The noise and atmosphere in the Amex was superb. The Albion players responding as best they could, at times Lewis Dunk appeared to have two players to mark as Greer sprinted back from another attacking foray.
Just after Buckley replaced Bridcutt, Dunk won a flick on in the Burnley area that fell to Greer, although our referee blew for a foul, some five seconds before the captain smashed it into the net.
Buckley’s fresh legs rejuvenated the seagulls near the end, as eleven man Burnley clung on their lead. With just seconds left Mackail- Smith found himself one on one with Grant, the obviously shattered striker hit his shot straight at the keeper and his second attempt from the rebound was cleared almost off the line by Duff.
The noise and support of the crowd and effort and determination of the players, made a crazy afternoon seem like an Albion win, minus the three points.
Albion: Ankergren; El-Abd, Greer, Dunk, Taricco; Bridcutt; Vincelot, Harley; LuaLua, Barnes, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Brezovan, Navarro, Noone, Buckley, Paynter
Burnley: Grant; Trippier, Duff, Edgar, Mee; Bartley; Wallace, McCann, Marney, Paterson; Rodriguez. Subs: Stewart, Stanislas, Vokes
Ref: Craig Pawson (S. Yorks)
