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Apr 11, 2026

Mats Wieffer’s brace lifts Brighton past Burnley, tightening the Premier League relegation fight

AI Summary
Mats Wieffer scored twice to secure a 2‑1 victory for Brighton over Burnley, marking Brighton’s fifth win in six games and pushing the Clarets 12 points from safety with only six matches remaining, while keeping Brighton’s European ambitions alive.

Mats Wieffer’s double proved decisive as Brighton edged Burnley 2‑1, delivering the Seagulls their fifth win in six fixtures and moving them just two points behind sixth‑placed Chelsea.

Burnley manager Scott Parker expressed frustration after Jaidon Anthony and Bashir Humphreys found the net, only for lengthy VAR reviews to delay the proceedings and ultimately nullify the goals. Wieffer’s second strike completed his season tally for Brighton and reinforced the club’s push for a European place.

“We want to achieve something, we want to make the next step as a team, as a club and we have big confidence that we can do it,” said Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler. “The most important thing is to earn the right to compete with the top teams by staying humble, working hard every day and bringing consistency into our performances.”

Brighton entered the match without a home win in six months, a drought that left the stadium sparsely populated. Burnley opened brightly, with Anthony scoring on the turn, but a fluttering flag and a blocked corner‑kick denied them a stronger start.

The Seagulls’ first goal came from the left flank: Pascal Gross surged down the wing and delivered a pinpoint cross to an unmarked Wieffer, who calmly slotted the ball into the corner for his inaugural goal of the season.

The second half saw Burnley dominate possession, yet they failed to convert chances. Zian Flemming forced two sharp saves from goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, but Burnley’s attack remained fruitless, underscoring why they are 12 points from safety with six games left.

In the 89th minute, Wieffer resurfaced at the edge of the box, meeting another cross and firing home his second goal, sealing the win as the majority of spectators filtered out before the final whistle.

With the defeat, Burnley inch closer to the Championship and must confront a dwindling survival window, while Brighton’s victory keeps their European aspirations firmly within reach.