Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a much-needed statement at the Amex Stadium on January 3, 2026, as they breezed past Burnley 2-0, snapping a frustrating six-game winless streak and reigniting their Premier League campaign. The Seagulls, under Fabian Hurzeler, showcased renewed energy and tactical discipline, while Burnley, led by Scott Parker, slipped deeper into relegation trouble with their eleventh consecutive match without a victory.
From the opening whistle, Brighton looked intent on making their mark and putting recent disappointments behind them. The home side’s lineup featured a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned experience, with Bart Verbruggen in goal, a backline of Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, and Kadioglu, and a midfield anchored by Yasin Ayari and Billy Gomez. The attacking trio of Gruda, Georginio Rutter, and Kaoru Mitoma supported Charalampos Kostoulas, making his first top-flight start.
Burnley, desperate for points, introduced three changes from their previous defeat to Newcastle, bringing in Bashir Humphreys, Jacob Bruun Larsen, and Jaidon Anthony. Their starting eleven included Dubravka between the posts, with Laurent, Ekdal, Humphreys, and Pires forming the defensive core, while Walker, Ugochukwu, Florentino, and Anthony provided midfield support for Broja and Bruun Larsen up front.
The match itself began with both sides cautious, but Brighton quickly found their rhythm. The first real chance fell to Jan Paul van Hecke, whose glancing header from a corner narrowly missed the target. Burnley, meanwhile, struggled to create meaningful opportunities, their lack of attacking confidence all too apparent as the minutes ticked by.
The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute. After several surging runs, Georginio Rutter finally made his mark. Charging down the right, Rutter was initially tackled, but the loose ball fell to Ayari, whose shot deflected off Kostoulas and back to Rutter. The Frenchman made no mistake, smashing a low finish across goal to give Brighton a deserved lead. As BBC Sport noted, "There was an inevitability about the outcome of this encounter once Georginio Rutter’s thumping low finish had put the hosts ahead in an uninspiring first half."
Burnley’s best chance to equalize came just before halftime. Lucas Pires found space down the left and unleashed a low drive, but Verbruggen was alert, saving well with his legs to preserve Brighton’s advantage. The home fans, sensing a shift in fortunes, roared their approval as the teams headed into the break with the Seagulls up 1-0.
If Burnley hoped for a second-half resurgence, those dreams were dashed almost immediately. Just 66 seconds after the restart, Brighton doubled their lead. Lesley Ugochukwu’s careless pass on the edge of his own box gifted possession to the hosts. Yasin Ayari seized the opportunity, taking a big touch wide before drilling a low shot into the bottom left corner. It was Ayari’s first league goal since September, and it sent the Amex crowd into raptures. "Ayari scores a beauty! Yasin Ayari scores right at the start of the second half to double Brighton’s lead," reported Joe Prince-Wright.
As the match wore on, Brighton continued to dominate possession, ending the day with more than 60% of the ball and attempting a season-high 599 passes. Kaoru Mitoma impressed on the left wing, stretching Burnley’s defense and creating space for his teammates. Kostoulas, the 18-year-old Greek forward, thought he had marked his debut with a goal, only to see it ruled out for offside. He later had two close-range efforts denied by Burnley’s Dubravka, as the youngster’s search for a Premier League goal goes on.
Burnley’s struggles were evident throughout. The Clarets managed only a handful of half-chances, their best coming when substitute Loum Tchaouna’s header struck the crossbar in the dying minutes. Another late scare for Brighton saw Florentino win the ball in the box, but his cross was deflected toward goal, forcing Verbruggen into a smart save. Parker’s men, lacking confidence and cohesion, failed to muster the quality needed to trouble their hosts consistently.
Brighton, meanwhile, nearly made it three when substitute Maxim de Cuyper curled a free-kick onto the post, but the final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory. The result lifted Brighton up to eighth in the Premier League table, moving them to 28 points and firmly back in the hunt for European qualification. The sense of optimism was palpable, further buoyed by the return of club stalwart Pascal Gross from Borussia Dortmund. Gross entered the fray late on, drawing huge cheers from the home support, while James Milner, celebrating his 40th birthday, came off the bench to move just four appearances shy of Gareth Barry’s all-time Premier League record.
For Burnley, the defeat left them stranded in 19th place, six points from safety, and with only two points collected from their last 33 available. Since October 26, 2025, the Clarets have failed to find any real form, and with nine defeats in their last eleven games, the odds on survival are lengthening. As Parker himself admitted, "The Clarets didn’t deserve anything from the game today."
Looking ahead, Brighton face a tough trip to Manchester City on January 7, a fixture that will test their newfound confidence. With a run of winnable games following the City clash and key players like Carlos Baleba set to return from international duty, the Seagulls have a real opportunity to cement their place in the top eight. As for Burnley, they must regroup quickly before hosting Manchester United on the same day. The pressure on Parker’s squad continues to mount, with injuries and suspensions further complicating their survival bid.
Saturday’s win at the Amex felt like a turning point for Brighton. After a bleak December, the Seagulls are soaring again, their blend of youth and experience providing hope for the months ahead. Burnley, meanwhile, are left searching for answers as the relegation battle intensifies. The Premier League drama rolls on, and both teams know their next fixtures could define their seasons.