Burnley defeated Sheffield United 2-1 on Saturday to automatically qualify for the Premier League, and the outcome also sent Championship leaders Leeds United alongside them.
Leeds had earlier hammered Stoke City 6-0 to top the Championship on 94 points with two games remaining and needed Burnley to then not lose to third-placed Sheffield United so ensuring they would finish in the top two. Burnley duly complied with Josh Brownhill scoring twice at Turf Moor either side of Tom Cannon’s equaliser.
Originally demoted last season, Scott Parker’s side joined Leeds on 94 points to leave Sheffield United on 86 and now finds themselves in a position to try to join them via the playoffs. For Leeds, Joel Piroe scored a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes at a boisterous Elland Road and added still another before halftime as the hosts surged 5-0 up at the interval.
Having been demoted from the Premier League three seasons ago, Leeds are returning to the top division. Fourth-ranking Despite a 1-0 home loss to Blackburn Rovers, who preserved their narrow chances of a top-six finish, Sunderland are assured a playoff spot.
Fifth-ranking Bristol City lost 3-1 at relegation battlers Luton Town, but stayed above Coventry City, who also lost 3-1 to bottom club Plymouth Argyle. Seventh-placed Middlesbrough will be kicking themselves as they missed an early lead against Sheffield Wednesday, failing to capitalise on the losses for Bristol and Coventry.
Bristol City has 67 points yet; Coventry has 66; Middlesbrough has 63. Still active in the playoff scene are Millwall and Blackburn, with 63 and 62 points respectively.
