SEAN Dyche hailed a 'great' week for his side after Burnley made it three clean sheets in a row with a point at Brighton.

After 1-0 home wins over Watford and Stoke City the Clarets had to show the gritter side of the game at the AMEX Stadium, withstanding plenty of Albion pressure in the first half.

The hosts hit the post and a header cleared off the line in the opening 45 minutes and were also awarded a penalty when James Tarkowski tangled with Glenn Murray, but Murray blazed over from 12 yards.

The point made it seven without a win for Brighton while making it seven points from three games for the Clarets, and Dyche said: “I think they’re on a tough run at the minute, they’ve rested players against Tottenham, so maybe thought this was a bigger game in a different way, and I thought they set about us early, brought the tempo on and tried to affect the game early.

“I thought we withstood that pressure well tactically from the team and the defensive unit, and then second half grew into the game and got stronger, which is really pleasing from a physical point of view because it’s the third game in a week, we’ve had to make changes in certain instances, but plenty of them have played those three games, and the overriding thing is three clean sheets and seven points in a week in the Premier League. That’s a great return, for us, still learning and improving.”

The penalty was the main talking point, with Tarkowski and Murray getting in a tangle as the striker was shepherded away from goal.

“I think it’s a tough one, I really do," Dyche said. "I was a defender. I haven’t seen any of the incidents back, but he’s going to get the back and I think Murray’s legs are in a slightly unnatural position to get tangled up in him. I think it’s more of a tangle than a foul.

“It’s tough to even give an opinion. From a distance you can see why he’s given a penalty. You look at it with detail and it’s a bit of an unnatural leg that goes in between Tarkowski’s legs, and in between is key, because Tarkowski is in front of the play.”

It's the third time Tarkowski has conceded a penalty this season, but Dyche is attaching no blame to his centre back.

“You can’t watch being unlucky," he said. "I think today he’s going to defend the moment, I don’t think it’s a silly challenge, he’s going to defend and get the ball. Murray loses it, it gets away from him, and he goes to get round him, then his leg comes out between his legs, so it happens.”

Burnley had a second half goal from Chris Wood ruled out for offside against Scott Arfield, while the striker was also denied in a one-on-one by Mat Ryan.

“Yet again, I’m from a terrible angle, but my analyst says it’s a really tight decision," Dyche said of the offside.

"And then the second chance he has is a good chance, and the keeper makes a good save.

“So, very pleasing in different ways, we had to fight first half, and second half find that bit more balance and attacking football. If the goal is given, hell of a passing move to get from our box."

Ben Mee returned from injury at the AMEX but Matt Lowton was only named on the bench, with Phil Bardsley keeping his place, while Charlie Taylor replaced the injured Stephen Ward.

Dyche said there had been some 'tight decisions' over team selection.

On Ward he added: “He wasn’t close, not for this one, we’ll see how it settles down this week. I thought it might be, but not in the end."