Fabian Hurzeler insists Brighton can qualify for Europe if they stay humble after Mats Wieffer’s brace moved them to within two points of sixth-place and edged Burnley closer to relegation.
The Dutchman produced two clinical finishes, in the 43rd and 89th minutes, to fire the visitors to a 2-0 victory over opponents who look destined for the drop.
Although Scott Parker’s men saw Jaidon Anthony and Bashir Humphreys both have efforts disallowed for offside, they lacked the quality to trouble an Albion side who took the lead when Wieffer swept a low drive past Martin Dubravka after Yankuba Minteh and Pascal Gross had combined.
The 26-year-old pounced again in the closing stages, sweeping home a perfectly-placed finish from Yasin Ayari’s pass.
With Albion recording a third straight win for the first time this term, Hurzeler said: “What I want to say, regarding our run, is that we are now better at managing the key moments.
“The results will always come if daily we have the right work ethic and the right behaviour. Now we try to go all in and play every game like it is a final.
“I’m not a big fan of talking about Europe, but we are known as a well-structured and well-run club. On the other side, we are also ambitious and we want to keep improving. Most importantly, we need to earn the right to compete with the top teams and if we show that right then we can always be confident.”
Hurzeler added: “It was not our best game and we were a little lucky with two tight (offside) decisions.
“The Premier League is so competitive and there’s no such thing as an easy game. So we had to work hard and show the right effort, which we did.”
Burnley refused to give up the ghost but are now without a win in seven and 12 points from safety.
Parker said: “I thought we did well and there wasn’t a great deal in the game. To be honest, those two decisions were so tight. Effectively it was about a sleeve or a kneecap. We live in a world now where, if a robot says it’s offside, then I’ve become accustomed to that.
“Listen, the run is not good. It is what it is. I don’t think we lacked energy or endeavour.
“We got punished by them and we didn’t punish their mistakes. It is getting closer to that moment, we know it is.
“The biggest challenge for us is the remaining games and keeping fighting away.
“Who lifts me? It’s just your job. You do what you have to do.
“I wish it was all fun and games like last year, but that’s not professional sport. There’s always struggles and battles. I fall back on my experiences and I try to motivate and inspire whilst also being critical.”
