Burnley have secured an immediate return to the Premier League after a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United at Turf Moor, with captain Josh Brownhill scoring both goals to clinch promotion. The win extends Burnley’s unbeaten run to a remarkable 31 league matches, a club record, and ensures they remain level on points with Leeds United at the top of the Championship, both still in contention for the title with two games left.
Burnley’s promotion campaign has been defined by a disciplined, pragmatic style—earning them a reputation for being “boring” among critics. Captain Josh Brownhill embraced the label after the decisive win, saying, “People call us boring, but we’ve bored our way to the Premier League again.”
He added, “The feeling is absolutely incredible. 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”.
Scott Parker’s side has built its success on an extraordinary defensive record, conceding just 15 goals in 44 matches—putting them on course to break the Championship record for fewest goals conceded in a season. Goalkeeper James Trafford has been central to this, setting a new league record with 28 clean sheets.
For Parker, this marks a third promotion to the Premier League with a different club, following previous successes at Fulham and Bournemouth. Owner Alan Pace hailed Parker as a “living legend,” praising his ability to bring out the best in his squad and guide them through a season of major transition.
Burnley and Leeds both have 94 points and cannot be caught by third-placed Sheffield United, who now face the play-offs.
Burnley’s defensive consistency and resilience have been key, and the team remains unbeaten in the league since November.
The Clarets now turn their attention to the final two games, aiming to secure the Championship title and potentially reach the 100-point mark.
Burnley’s “boring” tag has proven to be a badge of honor, underpinning a campaign where defensive solidity and collective spirit have brought the sweetest reward: a swift return to the Premier League.