Burnley’s win over Sheffield United caused total bedlam in Yorkshire as it secured theirs and Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League.
The Clarets’ 2-1 victory meant that Sheffield United can no longer catch the duo in the Championship’s automatic promotion spots.
Wild scenes were sparked after the full-time whistle at Turf Moor with fans storming onto the pitch in celebration.
Meanwhile, Leeds staff and supporters had hung around at Elland Road to await the result and their eventual promotion – celebrating outside their stadium once they were confirmed to be going up.
The Whites had already done their bit with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Stoke to start the day, and Burnley finished the job to trigger two promotion parties.
For Scott Parker‘s side it’s an instant return to the top flight they were relegated from last season under Vincent Kompany.
The former Fulham, Club Brugge and Bournemouth manager has put together a remarkable campaign when it comes to defending, conceding just 15 goals in 44 games so far.
Speaking post-match after looking visibly emotion at full-time, Parker said: “It means everything. We set on a mission to get promoted and there were a lot of ups and down.
“It has been nothing short of incredible. So proud of the young group, who have committed and given everything.
“This one feels more special. I’ve had some bumps in the road as a manager. I decided to take a year out and come in to this knowing there was a big challenge ahead. I’m relieved and happy.”
Midfielder Josh Brownhill, who scored Burnley’s two goals in their promotion-sealing win, also gave his thoughts.
Brownhill told Sky Sports: “I’m speechless. All that hard work this season. We’ve been written off so many times, people calling us boring, but we’ve bored our way to the Premier League again.
“The feeling is absolutely incredible. I don’t think a lot of the lads will sleep.
“I’m just so buzzing for a lot of the lads who haven’t played Premier League football, how much it means to them to get this club back into the Premier League.”
Leeds, meanwhile, have been the Championship’s most effective side up front, scoring 89 goals, which is 22 more than any other team.
Their win over Stoke saw Dutch striker Joel Piroe score four times to move to the top of the league’s scoring charts with 19 goals.
Daniel Farke‘s side are in the midst of their second season back in the Championship, having spent 2020 to 2023 in the Premier League after a 16-year absence.
On that occasion it was Marcelo Bielsa who took them up, this time it’s Farke who’s now achieved Premier League promotion for the third time.
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leeds United | 44 | 27 | 13 | 4 | 89 | 29 | +60 | 94 |
| 2 | Burnley | 43 | 25 | 16 | 2 | 59 | 14 | +45 | 91 |
| 3 | Sheffield United | 43 | 27 | 7 | 9 | 59 | 33 | +26 | 86 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 44 | 21 | 13 | 10 | 58 | 41 | +17 | 76 |
| 5 | Bristol City | 44 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 57 | 49 | +8 | 67 |
| 6 | Coventry City | 44 | 19 | 9 | 16 | 62 | 57 | +5 | 66 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 44 | 18 | 9 | 17 | 64 | 54 | +10 | 63 |
| 8 | Millwall | 44 | 17 | 12 | 15 | 45 | 46 | -1 | 63 |
| 9 | Blackburn Rovers | 44 | 18 | 8 | 18 | 50 | 46 | +4 | 62 |
| 10 | West Bromwich … | 44 | 14 | 18 | 12 | 52 | 44 | +8 | 60 |
| 11 | Swansea City | 44 | 17 | 9 | 18 | 48 | 52 | -4 | 60 |
The German did the same twice with Norwich, also winning the division on both occasions.
Speaking to talkSPORT post-match, Farke said: “To be there after 44 game days already with 94 points, I think it’s the highest points total this club has ever achieved in it’s history.
“89 goals, I’m also quite sure it’s the highest number of goals this club has scored in one season, we’ve already acheieved something historic.
“A priceless three points with a top performance and an emphatic game, all the compliments go to the boys.”
As for Sheffield United, it’s back to the drawing board ahead of the play-offs.
Chris Wilder‘s Blades earlier looked certain to push Leeds and Burnley all the way, but four defeats in five have left them out of the running.
They now join Sunderland as qualified for the play-offs, while there are two more spots up for grabs.
Remarkably, all five teams from third down to seventh lost on the 44th matchday, meaning that the play-off race is wide open with two games to play.
