3 JANUARY 2026
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 BURNLEY 0
PREMIER LEAGUE -
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
First game for the Albion in 2026 was a visit from relegation-threatened Burnley in the Premier, the match being broadcast by BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
For the second year running under Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler Albion had gone winless in the month of December, in 2025 drawing three and losing three. Last time out Albion had drawn 2-2 at West Ham United on the 30 December and for Burnley's visit the Albion made four changes to their starting line-up from the West Ham game, with Brajan Gruda, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Charalampos Kostoulas coming in for James Milner, Yankuba Minteh (injured), Maxim De Cuyper and Danny Welbeck.
It was Kostoulas first start for Albion in the Premier and on the substitutes bench was midfielder Pascal Gross, who had re-joined the club from Borussia Dortmund on the 2 January.
Burnley had gained promotion to the Premier last season after finishing runners-up to Leeds United in the Sky Bet Championship but had made a poor start to this campaign and were permanently placed in the relegation zone. Last time out Burnley had lost 1-3 at home to Newcastle United on the 30 December and for the visit to the Amex Head Coach Scott Parker made three changes to his starting line-up from the Newcastle game, with Bashir Humphreys, Jacob Bruun Larsen and Jadon Anthony replacing Maxime Esteve, Marcus Edwards and Lourn Tchaouna.
On the Burnley substitutes bench was former Albion favourite Ashley Barnes. It was all Albion from the start as Jan Paul Van Hecke sent a header wide, Charalampos Kostoulas thought he had put the Albion ahead but his effort was ruled offside by a narrow margin, Diego Gomez saw his shot deflected over the bar and Lewis Dunk sent a header over the bar. Eventually on the half hour the Seagulls took the lead when Yasin Ayari's shot deflected off Kostoulas into the path of Georginio Rutter who took a touch before firing a low shot past Martin Dubravka in the Burnley goal. 1-0.
Prior to the break, in an isolated Burnley counter Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen made a fine save when keeping out a shot from Lucas Pires.
Half-time 1-0.
Albion made the ideal start to the second-half when Burnley gave up possession of the ball in their box to Ayari who sent a low shot into the far corner of the net for Albion's second. 2-0. Although Albion were in control of the proceedings the visitors went close to pulling a goal back when from a corner Albion defender Ferdi Kadioglu was on hand to head the ball off his own goal-line to deny the Clarets.
On 70 minutes Albion made a triple substitution, with Danny Welbeck, Maxim De Cuyper and Pascal Gross coming on for Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Kostoulas. Gross in particular received a massive roar from the home fans when entering the fray. De Cuyper went close to increasing Albion's lead when his free-kick from distance struck the Burnley post and bounced back into play. In the end a comfortable win for the Seagulls and an end to their 6-match winless run.
Final-score 2-0.
Match stats:
Albion had 15 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 7.
Burnley had 5 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 17.
VERDICT - Relief at Albion attaining their first victory after a winless December. Burnley played like a relegation-threatened team. Albion's supporters were up-lifted by the return of Pascal Gross. Two trips to Manchester this week will test Albion's resolve.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Ferdi KADIOGLU; Yasin AYARI, Diego GOMEZ (James MILNER 80); Brajan GRUDA (Tommy WATSON 87), Georginio RUTTER (Danny WELBECK 70), Kaoru MITOMA (Maxim DE CUYPER 70); Charalampos KOSTOULAS (Pascal GROSS 70).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Olivier BOSCAGLI, Diego COPPOLA, Jack HINSHELWOOD.
Burnley line-up (5-4-1):- Martin DUBRAVKA; Kyle WALKER (Capt), Lucas PIRES, Josh LAURENT, Hjalmar EKDAL, Bashir HUMPHREYS; Jacob BRUUN LARSEN (Marcus EDWARDS 55), Lesley UGOCHUKWU (Oliver SONNE 55), Luis FLORENTINO, Jadon ANTHONY (Jaydon BANEL 81); Amando BROJA (Lourn TCHAOUNA 64).
Subs not used: Max WEISS (G/K), Enock AGYEL, George BRIERLEY, Oliver PIMLOTT, Ashley BARNES.
Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex).
Fourth Official: Gavin Ward.
VAR Official: Constantine Hatzidakis..
Yellow Cards: Burnley: 3 - Kyle Walker, Josh Laurent, Bashir Humphreys.
Possession: Albion - 60%., Burnley - 40%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Pascal Gross (Albion).
Attendance: 31373.
Past stat: West ham United - away - 30 December 2025 - Attendance: 62438.
NEXT GAME:
7 JANUARY 2026 - MANCHESTER CITY - AWAY - PREMIER LEAGUE - KICK-OFF 19.30. "LIVE" ON SKY SPORTS.