Burnley manager Scott Parker delivered a damning assessment of his team's mentality after a toothless 2-0 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, 3rd January 2026. The loss extends the Clarets' dismal run to 11 consecutive Premier League matches without a victory, leaving them entrenched in the relegation zone.
A 'Powderpuff' Performance at the Amex
In a bitterly cold afternoon at the Amex Stadium, goals from Georginio Rutter in the 29th minute and Yasin Ayari early in the second half secured a comfortable victory for the Seagulls. Parker did not hold back in his post-match analysis, branding his team's display as "powderpuff" and accusing them of "rolling over."
"We lacked belief and I didn't feel for one second that it was a team or group that ever believed they could come here and get a result really," said the frustrated boss. He emphasised that the manner of the defeat was more concerning than the result itself, criticising the team's general approach and body language throughout the contest.
Relegation Warning and Owner Backing
With Burnley having collected a meagre two points from a possible 33 since October, Parker issued a stark warning about their survival prospects. "If you perform like we did today, you ain't collecting enough points to stay in this division, no chance," he stated bluntly.
Despite the dire situation, which sees Burnley six points adrift of safety behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, Parker insists he retains the full support of the club's ownership. "That's out of my hands. I have the utmost support from ownership, from everyone at the football club," he affirmed, adding that he remains fully committed to the fight.
Brighton Bounce Back as Burnley Flounder
For Brighton, the victory was a welcome return to form, snapping a six-match winless streak and propelling them up to eighth place in the Premier League table. Head coach Fabian Hurzeler praised his team's controlled performance and clean sheet, stating, "I always emphasise that when you work hard at one point you get what you deserve."
Burnley offered only fleeting threats, with Lucas Pires going close before Rutter's opener and substitute Loum Tchaouna seeing a second-half header tipped onto the crossbar by Brighton's Ferdi Kadioglu. However, these were rare moments in a game where the Clarets were, by Parker's own admission, "never in the game." The pressure continues to mount at Turf Moor as the battle to avoid the drop grows increasingly desperate.
