Burnley secured promotion to the Premier League after defeating Middlesbrough in a historic win at the Riverside Stadium on Friday. The Clarets, who dropped out of the top-flight last season, secured a 2-1 win to book their place in next season's top-flight competition as Vincent Kompany's return to the UK as a manager continues in the right direction.
Under the Manchester City legend, the Turf Moor outfit has thrived, and ahead of the weekend's round of Championship matches, they proved their worth once more. In what was a highly-anticipated clash with Michael Carrick's Middelsborough, Burnley took the lead in the 12th minute after Ashley Barnes redirected Josh Brownhill's low shot into the back of the net to give Burnley an early lead. However, Middlesbrough equalised in the 48th minute with a penalty from Chuba Akpom after Josh Cullen fouled Cameron Archer in the box.
The fate of the game was subsequently decided in the 66th minute, with Connor Roberts scoring the winner by steering in Nathan Tella's near-post cross. Burnley subsequently saw out the rest of the game comfortably and were able to keep the hosts' at bay. The full-time result sparked wild celebrations across the club's bench as well as the fanbase inside the stadium.
We're not done yet. pic.twitter.com/Pkeba0atVv
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 7, 2023
Burnley now hold a 19-point lead over third-placed Luton with six games left to play. The Lancashire side need only 11 points from their remaining matches to secure the Championship title, and 13 points would see them become the first team to break the 100-point barrier since Leicester City in 2013-14. On Monday, they will host second-placed Sheffield United, who were the last team to beat them in a league game 19 matches ago.
It is worth noting that no team has won promotion to the Premier League with seven games left since the second tier rebranded in 2004. The Clarets will aim to secure the title, break the 100-point barrier, and become the first team to go unbeaten at home in a Championship season since Newcastle United in 2009-10. The win sparked wild celebrations on the pitch and among the travelling Burnley fans.
