EPL: Burnley 0-0 Brighton

James McArthur celebrates with teammates after making it 2-0

Burnley strengthened their chance of a place in next season's Europa League after a 0-0 draw with Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The hosts' best chance came in the first half when Kevin Long's point-blank shot was blocked on the line by Shane Duffy.

Brighton struggled to create any clear-cut chances, with Bruno coming closest for Chris Hughton's side in the 18th minute, but neither team could break the deadlock in a lacklustre second half.

A point for both sides means Burnley have virtually secured European qualification in seventh due to eighth-placed Everton's inferior goal difference. Brighton, meanwhile, are now five points clear of the relegation zone in 14th.

In a tightly-contested first half, the first real opportunity came to Brighton's right-back Bruno in the 18th minute as his volley fizzed past Nick Pope's near post at a corner.

Five minutes later and Burnley spurned the half's greatest opportunity to take the lead. Johann Gudmundsson's dangerous free-kick was stabbed towards goal by Ashley Barnes, but goalkeeper Mat Ryan got down to block before he quickly pushed the ball away.

Burnley's Long latched onto James Tarkowski's clever back-heel on the rebound, but Duffy made a goal-saving block to deny the hosts the game's opener. Protests of a Duffy handball were waved away by referee Roger East.

 

Brighton began the second half with more attacking impetus. In the 48th minute, Jack Stephens engineered a chance outside the box, but Pope comfortably got down low to make the necessary stop.

Sean Dyche brought on Sam Vokes for Chris Wood in the 66th minute, who looked to be carrying a knock, and the Wales international came close to scoring with his first touch. However, he couldn't direct his ricocheted effort from a Gudmundsson set-piece beyond Ryan.

Both teams cancelled each other out defensively and the match fizzled out with a goalless draw looking likely to benefit the two parties.