Brighton & Hove Albion went one step further to ensuring another year of Premier League football with an impressive 0-0 against Burnley this afternoon.
Sitting five points ahead of the relegation places with three games remaining, Chris Hughton will be aware that even one more point may be enough to all but pull off an admirable survival.
Speaking after the match however, Hughton was in less than a celebratory mood.
Having witnessed one of his players Gaetan Bong being subjected to boos during the game, the former Irish international described the behaviour of the Burnley fans as "shameful."
Bong accused West Bromwich Albion's Jay Rodriguez of making racially abuse remarks when the sides met earlier in the season. Although the incident was eventually deemed 'not proven' after an FA investigation, Hughton was at pains to remind Burnley fans of the facts:
What they should do, the Burnley supporters, they should look at the two statements that came out afterwards - one from the independent committee and one from the FA.
That FA statement stressed that there was "no suggestion by any party involved in this case that this was a malicious or fabricated complaint."
It was also remarked that they were "completely satisfied that this was a complaint made in absolute good faith".
Describing Bong as an "incredibly disciplined and straight individual - as honest a person as you will meet," Hughton also highlighted his displeasure with Burnley fans who sung "he's one of our own" regarding the club's former player, Rodriguez.
