On the final weekend of July, the Clarets lost at home for the first time since New Year’s Day as their record attempt came up just short and Nick Pope was denied a share of the Golden Glove.
Only a second defeat in 15 games left Sean Dyche’s men on the same 54-point total they reached when finishing seventh two seasons ago.
This time equalling their highest points’ tally in the Premier League was enough for 10th place as Arsenal went past both Burnley and Sheffield United in the final standings.
But the Clarets could barely have done more to get the extra point they needed having twice gone behind to a Brighton side, whose opening goal from Yves Bissouma denied Pope the shut-out he needed to share the goalkeeper’s prize with Manchester City’s Ederson, who pipped him to the award with a clean sheet against goal-shy Norwich City.