'Boring' Burnley secure Premier League return as win seals Championship promotion for Leeds | OneFootball

Burnley and Leeds back in Premier League as Sheffield United left to rely on play-offs

Josh Brownhill joked Burnley had “bored” their way back to the Premier League after a return to the top-flight was secured with two matches to spare.

The title fight looks set to go to the wire, and both teams will finish on 100 points if they win their final two matches of the season.

Burnley’s promotion bid has been built on a remarkable defensive record, with Scott Parker’s side keeping 29 clean sheets and conceding just 15 goals in the Championship this season. The previous record for fewest goals let in is 30, one that is set to be smashed.

The club are on a 31-match unbeaten run and captain Brownhill, who scored twice against Sheffield United, paid tribute to the defensive efforts that have helped earn an immediate return to the Premier League.

"I'm speechless. All that hard work this season," Brownhill said.

"We've been written off so many times, people calling us boring. We've bored our way to the Premier League.

"It takes a whole team - it's not just a back four, a goalkeeper, it takes everybody.”

This is Parker’s third promotion as a manager, having also previously led Fulham and Bournemouth to the top-flight.

The 44-year-old arrived at Turf Moor last summer after 15 months out of work following a brief spell at Club Brugge, which lasted just 12 matches.

"This one feels special," Parker said.

"I've had some bumps in the road as a manager, not to make this about me. I decided to take a year out and came back to this, I knew it would be a challenge.

"The spotlight often shines on the players and myself but the sacrifices that families make - they fully deserve it."

Leeds, meanwhile, will be back in the Premier League after two seasons in the Championship.

Daniel Farke’s side have scored 89 Championship goals this season, 22 more than any other club has managed, and the German was keen to play a leading role in the promotion party.

"I normally celebrate with cake and coffee on the sofa,” Farke said.

"If there is something major to celebrate then believe me, I will be a fire beast. I will be the first on the table for sure."