“They’re boring”.
“Just a long-ball team”.
“Don’t deserve to be in the Premier League”.
“Scored with their only shot on target”.
And so it continues; fans of Brighton have now become the latest set of supporters to take to social media in high dudgeon at their team’s inability to overcome Burnley.
The Clarets’ performance in yesterday’s Premier League match at the Amex Stadium was not a typical one, but the end result was. Burnley are normally more purposeful and crisper in their passing than they showed yesterday, despite a sprightly first twenty minutes.
The reason that they emerged with a frankly fortunate point was that Sean Dyche’s team can be relied upon to stay strong, stay disciplined and remain organised when the tide of the game is flowing against them.
This does not happen by accident, it is the product of hours of hard work on the training ground and having a group of players who possess the mind-set and the work ethic to put the tactical plans into practice.
What I believe fans of other teams (and indeed some Clarets fans) fail to appreciate is that Burnley are quite comfortable out of possession, they do not mind soaking up pressure and when the chance comes their way, they will take it.
That chance arrived late yesterday; whilst the fourth official was holding up the board to indicate the quantity of added time; Burnley were constructing a flowing move which culminated in Jeff Hendrick driving a powerful low shot into the corner of the Brighton goal from long range.
This equalised an earlier goal from the Seagulls’ Neal Maupay; slipping just clear enough from the attentions of Burnley’s defence to skilfully volley past Nick Pope.
Should Brighton have preserved or indeed expanded their lead? probably; but they were unable to do so and Burnley made them pay the penalty.
A point away from home in the Premier League is always welcome, more so when it arrives in those slightly fortuitous circumstances, but it arrived as a result of this Burnley team doing what this Burnley team does best. If opposing fans get grumpy as a result, then so be it. Sorry – not sorry.
Dave Thornley commenting post match on behalf of Clarets Mad, to the reaction of Seagull's fans on Brighton being unable to beat Burnley yet again. (TEC).