JAMES Tarkowski stuck his chest out to earn Burnley their first Premier League win in nine games, and lift the Clarets out of the bottom three.

And after scoring, the defender made certain of the clean sheet and the three points with his stoppage time defending as Brighton applied late pressure for the equaliser.

Burnley were keen to take the momentum of their performance against Liverpool in midweek, if not the result, into this afternoon’s home game with Brighton.

And after a cagey opening the Clarets began to ask more questions of the Seagulls’ defence.

Chris Wood, who had a goal chalked off for offside, went on to bring a save from Mat Ryan from a tight angle, while Robbie Brady had a couple of chances before Tarkowski made the breakthrough from Jack Cork’s initial shot.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s free kick for the foul he earned was returned to him before he shifted it on to Ashley Westwood to clip back into the box.

Brighton could clear only as far as a grateful Cork, who struck the ball sweetly and on target, but Tarkowski’s chest made sure goalkeeper Mat Ryan was wrong-footed and the Clarets took the lead five minutes before the break.

It was an important breakthrough and one they looked to build-on by staying on the front foot in the second half.

Tarkowski might even have had a second but his flicked header from another Westwood delivery dropped just wide of the far right post.

Showing his influence at both ends of the pitch, the England international had some defending to do as Brighton, having brought on danger man Glenn Murray, applied late pressure. But after a succession of corners, with Tarkowski intervening at one with an important header, the Clarets held firm to see out an important and welcome win.