Leeds United, Burnley Earn Premier League Return After EFL Championship Promotion
Three consecutive defeats for Sheffield United in the final stretch of the season have paved the way for Leeds United and Burnley to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League for the 2025/26 season.
Agence France-Presse | Updated: April 22, 2025 07:53 AM IST | Read Time: 3 min
Leeds United and Burnley Secure Premier League Return After EFL Championship Success
Burnley players celebrating © Burnley FC
Leeds United and Burnley clinched automatic promotion to the Premier League on Monday after Sheffield United faltered and dropped crucial points, confirming their place in the Championship play-offs.
Leeds, back in the second tier for the past two seasons, dominated Stoke City 6-0 at Elland Road. Star forward Joel Piroe scored four goals in a sensational performance. Daniel Farke’s side knew a Sheffield United slip-up against Burnley in the later kick-off would guarantee their return to the top flight.
At Turf Moor, Burnley captain Josh Brownhill netted twice in a 2-1 victory, sealing promotion for both his team and Leeds.
Both sides now sit at 94 points—out of reach for third-placed Sheffield United, who remain at 86 after managing just one win in their last five games.
Leeds, who lost heartbreakingly to Southampton in last season’s play-off final at Wembley, showed no mercy this time.
Dutch striker Piroe, without a goal since February, exploded back into form with a first-half hat-trick by the 20-minute mark. Junior Firpo added a fourth, and Piroe completed his four-goal haul before the break. Wilfried Gnonto added a sixth in the 59th minute.
Manager Daniel Farke—who previously led Norwich to the Premier League—celebrated with his squad on the pitch. The champagne, however, was saved until confirmation came from Burnley’s result.
Once Burnley sealed their win, Leeds players celebrated their promotion with full force.
Team captain Ethan Ampadu shared his excitement with Sky Sports:
“Very proud. A lot of positives. The celebrations are amazing. We’ve worked all year for this. Not to put a dampener on it—we’ve still got another target. We’re going to enjoy tonight and then focus on finishing the job.”
Leeds had shown signs of faltering earlier in March, winning just one in six games and raising fears of another play-off run. But now, as the Championship’s top scorers with 89 goals, they’ve won four straight.
Burnley: From “Boring” to Brilliant
Scott Parker’s Burnley may lack Leeds’ attacking firepower but have built their success on an impenetrable defence—conceding just 15 goals all season.
Brownhill opened the scoring in the 28th minute, tapping in from close range. Tom Cannon equalised for the visitors nine minutes later, but Brownhill restored Burnley’s lead from the penalty spot before halftime.
The Clarets held on, extending their unbeaten run to a club-record 31 games—securing an immediate return to the Premier League.
“We’ve been written off so many times, people calling us boring. We’ve bored our way to the Premier League,” Brownhill said proudly.
This marks Scott Parker’s third promotion to the Premier League as a manager, having previously done so with Fulham and Bournemouth.
“It means everything,” Parker said. “We set out this year to get promoted. It’s been a journey with ups and downs—but one that’s been nothing short of incredible.”
Meanwhile, Sheffield United, who led the table just weeks ago, have suffered a dramatic decline in form. The Blades are guaranteed a third-place finish and now face a tough play-off battle to reach the Premier League.
(Note: Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)