Burnley sealed automatic promotion to the Premier League after defeating Sheffield United 2-1 at Turf Moor — a result that also confirmed Championship leaders Leeds United’s return to the top flight.

Earlier in the day, Leeds had emphatically beaten Stoke City 6-0 at a jubilant Elland Road, moving them to the summit of the Championship table on 94 points with two fixtures remaining. Following that result, Leeds required Burnley to avoid defeat against third-placed Sheffield United in order to guarantee a top-two finish.

Burnley duly delivered, with Josh Brownhill netting twice either side of Tom Cannon’s equaliser, securing their immediate return to the Premier League. Scott Parker’s side, who were relegated last season, joined Leeds on 94 points, leaving Sheffield United stranded on 86 and now facing the prospect of battling for promotion via the play-offs.

For Leeds, Joel Piroe was the star of the afternoon, scoring a hat-trick within the opening 20 minutes and adding a fourth before the interval, as the hosts surged to a commanding 5-0 half-time lead.

This promotion marks Leeds’ return to the Premier League, following their relegation in 2023 after three seasons in the top flight.

Elsewhere, Sunderland, currently in fourth place, secured their play-off berth despite a 1-0 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers, who kept alive their faint hopes of finishing inside the top six.

Bristol City, sitting fifth, suffered a 3-1 defeat away at relegation-threatened Luton Town but remain just ahead of Coventry City, who also succumbed to a 3-1 loss against bottom-of-the-table Plymouth Argyle.

Meanwhile, seventh-placed Middlesbrough will rue a missed opportunity to close the gap, as they let an early lead slip and fell to a 2-1 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.

With two matches remaining, the standings are delicately poised: Bristol City hold 67 points, Coventry sit on 66, while Middlesbrough trail with 63. Millwall and Blackburn, with 63 and 62 points respectively, also remain in contention for a play-off position.