Burnley and Leeds United have confirmed their return to the English Premier League after securing crucial results in Saturday’s Championship fixtures, ending their campaign with automatic promotion and leaving others to jostle for playoff positions.
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley side clinched promotion with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United at Turf Moor, a result that not only confirmed their top-flight return but also guaranteed Leeds United a place in next season’s Premier League. The outcome was particularly significant for Leeds, who had earlier demolished Stoke City 6-0 at Elland Road to move top of the Championship standings on 94 points, with just two matches left to play.
Leeds had gone into their match knowing they needed a favourable result from Burnley against third-placed Sheffield United to secure automatic promotion, and the Clarets delivered. Josh Brownhill was the hero of the day for Burnley, netting twice—either side of Tom Cannon’s temporary equaliser for the Blades. That victory lifted Burnley to 94 points, level with Leeds at the summit of the table.
The celebrations were particularly sweet for Leeds United, who are returning to the Premier League just a year after suffering relegation at the end of the 2022/2023 season. Their dominant display at Elland Road was powered by Joel Piroe, who produced a sensational first-half performance, scoring a hat-trick within the opening 20 minutes before adding a fourth before halftime. Leeds led 5-0 at the break and added a sixth in the second half to seal a commanding win.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United’s hopes of automatic promotion were dashed by the defeat, as they now trail the top two by eight points and must prepare for the lottery of the Championship playoffs. With 86 points, the Blades will aim to regroup quickly and refocus for the crucial playoff battles.
Elsewhere, the playoff race remained intense as Sunderland, despite losing 1-0 at home to Blackburn Rovers, secured a spot in the playoff zone. Rovers, on the other hand, kept their slim hopes of a top-six finish alive with the win, moving to 62 points.
Bristol City, sitting in fifth, fell 3-1 away to relegation-threatened Luton Town but maintained their playoff positioning ahead of Coventry City, who also stumbled with a 3-1 loss against bottom-placed Plymouth Argyle. Both clubs failed to capitalise on the opportunity to strengthen their playoff bids.
Middlesbrough, currently seventh, missed a golden chance to climb into the top six after letting an early lead slip in a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. Despite their advantage, Boro couldn’t hold on, and the result leaves them on 63 points one behind Coventry and four adrift of Bristol City.
The playoff race remains wide open with two fixtures to go. Bristol City lead the chasing pack with 67 points, followed closely by Coventry on 66. Middlesbrough and Millwall are both on 63, while Blackburn are just behind with 62, all still in contention to snatch a playoff berth in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Championship season.
