Burnley 1-2 Brighton: Graham Potter’s side come from behind to win at Turf Moor

There must have been a fair amount of introspection from Graham Potter as he trudged down the touchline at half time.

Burnley led through James Tarkowski and were good for it. Brighton’s manager had not quite calling things correctly and he probably knew it.

For large parts, this opening day felt like an episode in trial and error for Potter, who had chosen Pascal Gross as an inverted left back to begin with, but his changes saw them fly back south with what could be crucial points.

Alexis Mac Allister (left) celebrates after scoring the winner for Graham Potter’s side

A change in formation at the break, moving Gross from left to right as well, and later the impact of two substitutes, saw this turn sharply with 17 minutes left.

First Neal Maupay equalised, nudging ahead of his marker to stab home a cross by Jakub Moder – who had barely entered the field- before another substitute, Alexis Mac Allister, sealed the points.

Mac Allister, who had been at the Olympics with Argentina, offers an extra edge in the final third and Burnley just could not cope. Sean Dyche will be particularly annoyed given a tough run of fixtures over the coming weeks, starting at Anfield next week. 

Burnley winger Dwight McNeil (right) tries to get away from Brighton defender Solly March

There felt a proper sense of normality around Turf Moor for those returning fans, given Dyche made only two changes from the team that drew here against Tottenham the last time this stadium was in full operation 17 months ago. That speaks to a club which needs a fresh boost of investment before the window closes. Whether that arrives or not is another thing entirely. 

It had started so brightly and everything Dyche had missed last season. An intensity in the air, something for Dyche’s team and those watching to feed off in tandem. And given the chaotic nature of the club at the moment, they really needed an early fillip to settle everybody here down a touch.

Tarkowski obliged two minutes in. A Burnley corner, whipped with menace by Ashley Westwood, was there to attack. The central defender fancied it, whereas Maupay did not. Tarkowski knocked the Brighton striker to the ground and completed the job with his head.

Maupay cried foul, although there must be some form of inquisition as to why it was he left to deal with Tarkowski from a set piece. The pair battled all afternoon, trading cautions for fouls on each other, the Burnley man later blocking a spin and shot.

Meanwhile, Brighton were not learning lessons from corners. Robert Sanchez flapped at another, Ben Mee returning it his way but only against the crossbar, with Tarkowski then volleying over.

Goal scorer Tarkowski tussles with Brighton’s Neal Maupay (left) and Leandro Trossard

Potter realised things must change, replacing new £20million signing Enock Mwepu with Adam Lallana and making alterations elsewhere too. They had barely laid a glove, although did see Dwight McNeil twice save Burnley on the line.

They did boast a lot of the ball, Brighton, as they so often do. Leandro Trossard could not find the far corner when twisting, Maupay flicked wide when nestled between defenders. They grew a little more optimistic, a little more settled in their formation, and equalised on 73 minutes. The game was stretched by recent substitute Jakub Moder on the right, looking up for Maupay haring towards the six-yard box and nodding in.

Burnley froze momentarily and that was enough to take this away from them. Gross was given acres in the same position as Moder down the right and had time to pick out Mac Allister, ghosting in to sweep a winner.

Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski headed the Clarets in front from close range 

Graham Potter’s second half substitutes were crucial in turning the game around for Brighton