'Kept happening': Pundit expresses surprise at Burnley failure to 'fix' Brighton problem
Pundit Danny Murphy was left surprised at Burnley’s failure to “fix” an obvious problem during their home defeat to Brighton.
The Clarets struggled down their right flank all afternoon as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat on home turf.
With Kyle Walker surprisingly dropped to the bench, Bashir Humphreys – a left-footed defender who usually plays at centre-back – was preferred at right-back.
But with a lack of support from Marcus Edwards, he struggled to deal with Brighton’s Ferdu Kadiouglu and Yankubu Minteh.
Scott Parker’s side were given a number of warning signs before the Seagulls eventually took the lead on the stroke of half time, as Mats Wieffer steered home after running onto a left-wing cross.
The problem persisted into the second half, with Wieffer doubling his tally in the 89th minute after another move that started down the left.
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“The left side today was all about great combinations,” Murphy told Match of the Day presenter Kelly Cates.
“I mean, yes, woeful at times from Burnley defensively, but Minteh and Kadioglu linking up here, you can see the percentages [of how often they played down the left].
“It kept happening and I was really surprised that they didn't try and fix it or change it. I was surprised Kyle Walker was sat on the bench because Humphreys really struggled with him.
"The longer it stayed 0-0, you’re kind of thinking: ‘all this good play, are they ever going to get the breakthrough?’, but they do with a wonderful pullback from Pascal Gross and a great finish from the right back.
"But it was more of the same in the second half, they still didn't fix the problem. Even when the subs had changed and it wasn't Minteh anymore, it's [Kaoru] Mitoma this time, linking up with Kadioglu and Gross.
"But Brighton deserved it overall. They made a lot of good chances and despite having a wobble around Christmas time, Brighton look back on track, particularly for European places.”
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