Brighton 1-1 Burnley: James Trafford’s late heroics give the visitors a vital point as they threaten relegation.

Benjamin Sue December 9, 2023

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Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford put on an outstanding display, frustrating Brighton as they played out an intriguing 1-1 draw at the Amex Stadium.

After Wilson Odobert’s incredible solo effort at the end of the first half gave Vincent Kompany’s team hope for a second away win of the season, Simon Adingra headed in from Pascal Gross’ cross in the 77th minute to deny them.

After Odobert’s goal stunned the home crowd in the Brighton goal against the run of play, Roberto De Zerbi’s team poured shots into the Burnley goal, but Trafford saved two goals in the last seconds, one from Kaoru Mitoma and the other from Jack Hinshelwood.

Brighton, with 26 points from 16 games, remains eighth in the Premier League standings as a result of the outcome. With eight points, Burnley is still in 19th place, two points behind Everton in 17th.

How Burnley held on for vital point.

After controlling the ball for the first ten minutes of the match, Burnley had the first opportunity of the match when Sander Berge drove forward and passed to Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who turned and curled wide with his left foot from just inside the box.

The hosts only gradually became a threat to assault. Following an inviting throw from James Milner, Charlie Taylor extended well to divert Joao Pedro’s far-post cross away from Adingra’s foot, who would have had a tap-in. However, Gross headed up and onto the roof of the goal.

After being set up on the right by Pedro and Adingra’s excellent play, Gross wasted the best opportunity of the first thirty minutes minutes later when he struck low to the near post rather than across goal, and Trafford brilliantly turned it aside with a strong left boot.

De Zerbi’s team was leading by now with ease. Following an exquisitely placed cross from Adingra, Jan Paul van Hecke squandered a fantastic opportunity by thumping a free header over. Trafford then produced another save, this time to his right, from Milner’s driven shot.

Burnley found it difficult to keep up with Brighton’s rapid passing and line-moving, and Mahmoud Dahoud nearly punished them spectacularly with a powerful effort that whistled inches over from 20 yards.

The goal then came entirely against the flow of play and was entirely due to Odobert’s genius.

In the last minute of the half, the 19-year-old collected the ball on the left, just outside the area, and it appeared like nothing was wrong. Odobert got all the motivation he needed as three Brighton players stood off him. He then gave the visitors the lead with a spectacular right-footed drive that nicked off Milner and looped over Verbruggen.

Since September, Brighton has only won twice in the league, and it appeared that their inconsistent performance would continue. During halftime, De Zerbi substituted Billy Gilmour and Mitoma in an attempt to swing the game in his team’s favor.

Rather, Burnley came dangerously close to extending their lead, with Odobert threatening once more and forcing a valiant low stop from Verbruggen. Jay Rodriguez’s follow-up was then stopped by the goalkeeper.

Kompany’s team had fallen far further behind by the hour mark compared to the first half, and Brighton was once again in control.

The possibility of a second loss in three league games worried the Amex as Mitoma swatted a bending shot over the bar with his instep and Evan Ferguson headed wide from Van Hecke’s cross.

The opportunities presented themselves more readily. At the far post, Gross found Adingra in a plethora of space. Trafford once again proved his mettle, sprinting from goal to thwart him with a sprawling block.

At last, Brighton earned their equalizer, which was made possible by the outstanding Gross. When Aaron Ramsey turned back to his right foot and crossed for Adingra, the Germany international made up for his earlier miss with a header into the corner. Ramsey attempted to stand up the international player on the outskirts of the box.

In stoppage time, Trafford wonderfully pushed substitute Hinshelwood’s header behind.

The goalkeeper for Burnley had been excellent, and in the last moments, he saved his best for last, tipping over Mitoma’s right-foot shot.

WHATS NEXT FOR BRIGHTON?

To take first place in Group B of the Europa League, Brighton must defeat Marseille at home on Thursday. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. Next Sunday, Robert De Zerbi’s team will play their first Premier League match of the season when they visit Arsenal; kickoff is set for 2pm.

WHATS NEXT FOR BURNLEY?

Next Saturday, Burnley takes on Everton, their relegation rivalsf. On December 23, the team led by Vincent Kompany will travel to Fulham; the game will begin at 3 p.m.