Wout Weghorst has given Burnley hope they can avoid the drop

Wout Weghorst has wasted little time in demonstrating he is likely to be a central figure in Burnley’s fight to move clear of the bottom three.

The 6ft 6in forward was brought in last month following Chris Wood’s £20million move to Newcastle. Wood’s departure raised more doubts about whether Sean Dyche’s side would have the firepower to prevent them from sliding into the Championship while his replacement was untested in the Premier League.

Now, just four games into his Clarets career, Weghorst already looks a shrewd acquisition, particularly as it cost Burnley £12m to sign the Holland forward from Wolfsburg. And he gave Brighton’s defence an afternoon they will want to forget.

The 29-year-old — who scored 70 goals in 144 appearances for his previous club — provided evidence of his scoring instincts in the way he held back his run to allow him to receive Connor Roberts’ pull back with the time and space to direct an excellent first time finish past Robert Sanchez.

Weghorst’s strength then allowed him to set up Josh Brownhill’s 40th-minute second and his all-round play helped Burnley secure the victory that was capped by Aaron Lennon’s well-taken goal midway through the second half.

Dyche had praised the forward’s efforts in his first three games, pointing out how match analysis highlighted Weghorst’s work-rate and involvement, but acknowledged he needed a goal to kick-start his Burnley career.

Weghorst agreed and admitted Saturday’s effort came as a relief.

‘Last week against Liverpool it was clear that I had some good opportunities and I want to help the team and the club, I want to pay them back and it’s all about goals as a striker,’ he said. ‘It was a good win, an important win and we needed the three points, so it’s