The big dogs cancelled each other out.
All season long, Shane Duffy and James Tarkowski have been doing impressive jobs in mopping up for their respective Premier League teams.
The Ireland international and the young English star have been exceptional in defence for Brighton and Burnley and have played big parts in their decent campaigns. Brighton are down in 13th at present but were up in the top 10 for most of November. Burnley are fifth having recently been in the Champions League spots.
Both Burnley and Brighton have climbed so high on the back of stout defences and thanks to men like Duffy and Tarkowski.
In terms of the league’s meanest defenders, when it comes to clearances [including headers, interceptions, tackles and shots blocked], Duffy and Tarkowski are streets ahead. Indeed, Burnley have conceded as many goals [12] in 18 games as runaway leaders Manchester City.
So it was surely inevitable that both Duffy and Tarkowski would walk away from their league encounter, today, with clean sheets.
Brighton and Burnley played out a goalless draw but Chris Hughton’s men were left ruing a missed Glenn Murray penalty that could have given them all three points.
Duffy edged Tarkowski in terms of sheer performance level but both players had seven headed clearances and two interceptions apiece. Duffy, though, did pick up his fifth yellow card of the season and will now be automatically suspended for the season. In getting a jump wrong, when trying to make another clearance, the Derry native deliberately handled the ball and was cautioned.
@shaneduffy what was the handball about?! Gotta holiday booked next wknd or something? #BHAFC
— Dean Smith (@Deano_seagulls) December 16, 2017
Duffy was not on responding to the suggestion he had something other than facing champions Chelsea in mind:
Just missed time my jump and First reaction was to stop them for breaking on us, silly booking !
— Shane Duffy (@shaneduffy) December 16, 2017
He misses the December 26 visit to Stamford Bridge but should return to the starting XI for the away date with Newcastle United four days later. He’ll be needed, no doubt.
