Brighton 0-3 Burnley: Weghorst inspires Clarets to first win since October
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Wout Weghorst scores his first Burnley goal
Burnley boss Sean Dyche says Wout Weghorst has been a "breath of fresh air" after the Dutch striker scored his first goal for the club in their win at Brighton.
Weghorst opened the scoring before Josh Brownhill added a second and Aaron Lennon made sure of the victory just over 20 minutes from time.
Dyche praised the Netherlands international's attitude and said he wasn't concerned by the wait for him to get off the mark after arriving from Wolfsburg in January.
"Wout has come in and done fantastic for us, but others were looking a threat," Dyche told BBC Sport.
"I've seen him in training, I'd be amazed if he doesn't score more goals. He has been a breath of fresh air. Defensively, he works for the team. He is a top pro.
"We created chances. That's been the difference all season. There hasn't been much wrong with our defensive shape or the way we've worked as a side. The energy of the performances have been good and we looked a real threat today."
Brighton dominated possession but managed only one shot on target and struggled at the back, where they were missing the suspended Lewis Dunk and injured Adam Webster.
A fast start almost saw Burnley take the lead when Connor Roberts spotted Robert Sanchez off his line and curled an effort that came back off the bar.
Their purpose and energy were rewarded soon afterwards, when Weghorst fired home from Roberts' low right-hand cross, giving Sanchez no chance.
It took until 10 minutes before half-time for Brighton to manage an effort on goal, and Shane Duffy's strike was held easily by Nick Pope. Adam Lallana headed wide from Tariq Lamptey's cross moments later.
Weghorst turned provider with the break looming, laying on for Brownhill, whose tame effort was deflected in off Joel Veltman.
The frustration continued for the hosts after the break, with Neal Maupay shooting wide from another Lamptey cross.
Soon after, Lennon made it 3-0 after combining with Jay Rodriguez, who came on for the injured Maxwel Cornet, before firing into the top corner to round off a brilliant day for the Clarets.
Dyche's men are five points behind 17th-placed Newcastle but have two games in hand. Brighton are ninth.
Weghorst shines for Clarets
Brighton 0-3 Burnley: Dyche credits players 'shift in mentality' in big away win
Weghorst has made a really positive start to life at Burnley, and he was the difference on the south coast.
Against a weakened Brighton backline without their first choice centre-backs, he made a nuisance of himself all afternoon. But everything started with a fine finish for his goal.
His lay-off for Brownhill showed his technical ability as well as his physical presence, and there is now a real chance that a difficult season at Turf Moor may be about to turn.
Injury to his strike partner Cornet was a blow, but he has offered real hope.
Weghorst admitted it was a "dream" to finally open his account in English football.
"It is something you dream about as a kid, to score in the Premier League," he told BBC Sport. "You want to be important and to help the team. It is a special moment."
Seagulls porous and toothless
Brighton 0-3 Burnley: Potter admits his side 'weren't good enough' in defeat
Dunk and Webster were badly missed, but Brighton fell into old habits at the other end. They had 69% of the ball but failed to make it count, with Maupay cutting a frustrated figure up front.
Keeping Lamptey relatively quiet on his return to Brighton's starting XI was huge for Burnley, but there was a general lack of intensity in Graham Potter's side's play from the start. They let Burnley take the early initiative and ultimately paid for it.
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