Match report
Here’s Will Unwin’s verdict from Turf Moor, a very happy place this evening. Congratulations Burnley and Leeds fans – welcome (back) to the jungle. Thanks for joining me. Goodnight.
Key events
And a few words from Chris Wilder: “Congratulations to Daniel and Leeds United, congratulations to Scott Parker and Burnley. We can still get to 90 points, this season’s not been a failure. It’s not been lost here – you can’t lose to Plymouth Argyle, bottom of the league, or lose three games in a row.”
“I thought we were always in it, the goals we conceded weren’t like us … second half we had a go, needed to make better decisions in and around their box. We’re third, we can still go up through the playoffs – it’s certainly not all doom and gloom from me.”
Burnley’s ministry of defence, CJ Egan-Riley and Maxime Esteve, are chatting to Sky. “We’ve had such a great chemistry and work ethic this season,” says Egan-Riley. “All credit to the gaffer, he’s given me this chance. The Premier League is the pinnacle, for this club we’re amazing.”
Esteve says: “CJ is a top player, we’re a top team, we’ve only lost twice this season. I’m very proud. This is a Premier League club.” Is he looking forward to facing Salah and Haaland? “I’ll play anyone – I can’t wait!”
The Championship title is still up for grabs – Leeds have a big advantage in goal difference, so two wins from their last two games will surely get the job done.
Leeds fixtures: Bristol City (H, 28 Apr), Plymouth (A, 3 May)
Burnley fixtures: QPR (A, 26 Apr), Millwall (H, 3 May)
Here’s how Leeds got their part of the job done today:
Here’s Daniel Farke! “This is one of the most emotional clubs in this country, so it’s never easy – it’s a heavy shirt to wear, and we have delivered in great style. We deserve it, we’re back where we belong.”
“[After losing to Southampton] we had to rebuild again, under tight [financial] restrictions. Such a difficult race, with tough opponents. All the compliments go to my lads. We watched the last five minutes of Burnley together, and we’ll have a few drinks at least.”
Is he looking forward to next season “Don’t scare me with the Premier League tonight! All three promoted teams are coming back down again. We have to earn a place as an established Premier League side.” And how about the title? “We have to celebrate, it’s important. I’m thinking about the next drink! I’ll lead the party, that’s for sure.”
Match report
Here’s Will Unwin’s verdict from Turf Moor, a very happy place this evening. Congratulations Burnley and Leeds fans – welcome (back) to the jungle. Thanks for joining me. Goodnight.
Daniel Farke joins Parker in securing his third Premier League promotion – only Steve Bruce (with four) has more. The German led Norwich to the Championship title in 2018-19, but suffered an immediate relegation back to the second tier.
Norwich stuck with Farke, and he won the second division again – but after a winless start to the following season, he was replaced by Dean Smith. After spells with Krasnodar and Mönchengladbach, Farke joined Leeds in summer 2023. He took them to the playoff final last season, and now automatic promotion.
This is Parker’s third Premier League promotion – and he’s hoping the third time will be a charm. Parker took Fulham up via the playoffs in 2020-21, but they were relegated after one Covid-hit season.
He left the following summer, immediately joining Bournemouth, who finished the Championship season second to Fulham. After a 9-0 Premier League defeat at Anfield and claims his squad were “unequipped” for the top flight, he left before the end of August.
Here’s Scott Parker: “It means everything really, we set a mission to get promoted – early in the season, there were a lot of ups and downs. I’m proud of a group of players who were committed, followed instructions – and now we’re in the Premier League.”
“Hard work, I build my life on that – and every player has taken that on board. The group are together, and it’s got us here. This [promotion] feels better,” he adds before he’s mobbed by beaming players.
“I’ve had some bumps in the road, losing my job at Brugge and I knew there was a big challenge here. I’m relieved and happy – for my family, and other people who aren’t in the spotlight.”
The Burnley chairman, Alan Pace, says Parker has “outperformed everything” that was discussed when he was appointed. “Even with the negativity, it never stopped him. He’s amazing, and we’re grateful and blessed to have him here.”
Big Ashley Barnes lifts owner Alan Pace about 10 feet off the ground. The players are now gathered around a very long, Sky-sponsored sideboard. Scott Parker is back out too, making sure all of his staff get their share of the adulation.
Burnley players have been down into the dressing room to get the drinks flowing, and are now back out on the pitch in “We Are Premier League” t-shirts, to the strains of “Freed from Desire”. It’s what it’s all about.
Leeds reaction from Ethan Ampadu: “Very proud, a lot of positivity … we worked all year for this, but we’ve got another target to achieve [the title]. We were so happy with our performance [today], and this is another little boost. Playing Friday-Monday has been tiring, and the [Burnley] game has gone our way tonight – it’s an incredible feeling.
News from elsewhere in the Championship: West Brom have parted company with Tony Mowbray after Monday’s 3-1 home loss to Derby all but ended their playoff hopes. I guess he was something of a quick fix after Carlos Corberan left for Valencia, but it still seems a bit harsh to bin him off two games early.
Always interesting to see which fringe player steals the limelight when it comes to celebrating as a team. Over at Elland Road, Largie Ramazani has got his shades on indoors and throwing shapes for the camera.
Scott Parker has been up in the stand talking to owner Alan Pace, and sharing a moment with his wife. As he walks back across the pitch, he looks a little overwhelmed. When he was brought in to replace Vincent Kompany, it’s fair to say expectations were low. The way he has rebuilt the team in such rapid fashion has been so impressive; he’s earned another crack at the Premier League.
Some (pre-baked) reaction from the Leeds admin.
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Here’s the Burnley captain, Josh Brownhill: “We’ve had so much stick, people saying we’re boring … we’ve bored our way to the Premier League! All that hard work we’ve done, we’ve got back there. I’m so delighted [my penalty] went in. I’m just buzzing for some of the lads, who haven’t played Premier League football, what it means to them.”
Some unsavoury scenes down by the players’ tunnel, where Sheffield United’s Hamza Choudhury is furious, and having to be held back by police. He eventually heads down the tunnel, accompanied by stewards. Not sure what caused that.
“I’m going out to party in the Bogotá rain,” cheers Rob Wood. Enjoy.
Burnley’s players run to embrace Scott Parker as fans begin to spill on to the pitch. Across the Pennines, Leeds players are spraying champagne around the Bremner Suite with giddy abandon. Does it get better than this?
Leeds and Burnley promoted to Premier League
It’s finished Burnley 2-1 Sheffield United, which means the hosts seal an immediate Premier League return. It’s also party time for Leeds, who return to the top flight after two years away.
Talk of how both sides might do next term can wait for another day. After all, there’s still a title race to settle – while Sheffield United will face the dreaded playoffs after falling short tonight.
95 mins: The ball is in Sheffield United’s half, and Brewster gets booked for clipping Josh Cullen. Leeds fans, Burnley supporters, wherever you are, the moment has arrived …
94 mins: Laurent burns some seconds off the clock, wins a throw-in and urges the crowd to get behind Burnley one more time.
91 mins: Seriki’s cross won’t fall for Rak-Sakyi, but Robinson reclaims it and whips in a cross that McCallum heads over the bar from some 15 yards out.
89 mins: There will be six minutes of stoppage time left. Scott Parker trying his best to look calm; his team have certainly kept their heads so far tonight.
88 mins: Hamer leads the charge upfield and his pass deflects to Rak-Sakyi – but, once again, it’s a Burnley foot that gets in there to disrupt things at the final moment. Barnes gets involved, hoofing the ball from his own area to somewhere near Todmorden.
87 mins: He’s replaced by Joe Worrall, with Ashley Barnes replacing the tireless Zian Flemming. A couple of absolute legends of the Premier League mezzanine coming on.
86 mins: Trafford takes his sweet time to come forward and take a free kick some 40 yards out. Two more Burnley changes – and their captain and double scorer, Josh Brownhill, is heading off.
85 mins: Of course, it only takes a minute – and Rak-Sakyi at least tees up Seriki for a cross that’s not from 30 yards out. Burnley clear it away, Josh Laurent wins it in midfield and runs with the ball, but is stopped before he can cause any further damage.
84 mins: Esteve heads clear a long ball. Sheffield United still can’t get any attacking momentum going, and time is short.
82 mins: Hamer has a snap shot from 25 yards, which probably looked quite close if you’re a Burnley fan. Trust us, it wasn’t.
81 mins: Rhian Brewster is coming on, replacing midfielder Peck in a much-needed attacking change from Chris Wilder.
79 mins: Jack Robinson heads the ball across goal, almost finding Ahmedhodzic, who is offside. Still, a useful reminder for Burnley that one goal could ruin everything.
78 mins: Hannibal takes his leave, met by a rousing reception from Burnley fans. Jeremy Sarmiento, on loan from Brighton, takes his place.
76 mins: Burnley break down another Sheffield United attack and sweep downfield, where Anthony’s shot is closed down as he looked to pick out the far corner.
73 mins: More changes for the visitors – Femi Seriki replaces Vini Souza, and Sam McCallum is on for Burrows. That’s a straight swap at left-back, but I think Choudhury will move into midfield to accommodate Seriki.
72 mins: At some stage, United will need to go for broke – but Burnley have been so good at winning the ball back, breaking forward and then drawing a foul. It’s exactly what Zian Flemming does here, with Ahmedhodzic the obliging party.
71 mins: Hannibal has moved to the right side and is making his presence felt, whipping in a cross that Souza languidly flicks behind for a corner. From there, Pires tries an ambitious shot that’s closed down quickly.
70 mins: Twenty minutes for Sheffield United to spoil one, or potentially two, promotion parties. “Got a Club Colombia on ice,” writes Rob Wood in Bogotá. “Not had a chance to shop this morning, too much football.”
68 mins: Burrows sends a left-footed delivery curling beyond everyone and out for a goal kick. Chris Wilder doesn’t look especially impressed.
67 mins: A first chance for Rak-Sakyi to get involved, and he nicks the ball past Lucas Pires, who brings him down. Sheffield United free kick, on the corner of the penalty area.
66 mins: Burnley aren’t shutting up shop – Peck has to be alert to cut out a cross, before Fleming tries an awkward shot that bobbles through to Cooper.
65 mins: Jaidon Anthony carries the ball upfield, but Hamer gets back to regain possession. The clock is moving much slower in Burnley and Leeds than in Sheffield, I would wager.
63 mins: Esteve has been exceptional in the heart of Burnley’s defence; here, he gets across to deny Ahmedhodzic from Peck’s low cross.
61 mins: First change for Burnley, as Josh Laurent replaces Marcus Edwards.
59 mins: Tyrese Campbell and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi have come on. The corner is cleared downfield by Brownhill, who’s led by example today.
58 mins: Brereton Diaz has been quiet on the right side, but gets into the area here – only for Jaidon Anthony to back-track and stop him getting a shot away. United are making changes, Brereton Diaz and Cannon coming off.
56 mins: Roberts’ cross in towards Fleming is headed clear by Ahmedhodzic. “I’m a Claret of 65 years standing. The great early 60s team: Adamson, McIlroy, Pointer, Connelly, Blacklaw and all was the first team I ever saw live,” writes Iain Noble. “Never saw a better side until Cruyff’s Netherlands and their total football.
“I can get the ITV coverage through a Fire Stick on my TV but I’m afraid to watch; this from someone who survived ‘The Orient Game’ but I’m getting too old for all the stress. But I know it’s written in the stars: Burnley will win! Come on Burnley! UTC!”
