Summary

  • Burnley promoted back to Premier League after beating Middlesbrough

  • Sheff Utd open up eight-point gap to play-off places with win over Wigan

  • Norwich close to within point of play-offs with win at Blackburn

  • Reading drop into bottom three following wins for Cardiff and Huddersfield

  • Hull score 98th-minute penalty to draw 4-4 at Sunderland

  • L1: Plymouth go top with win at Morecambe, Ipswich beat Wycombe to go second

  • L2: Leyton Orient go 10 points clear at top after win at Salford; bottom two Rochdale & Hartlepool both win

  1. One promotion down, more to gopublished at 22:30 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to Premier League

    You can read our developing match report from my colleague Ian Woodcock by clicking here.

    What a night and what an epic day in the English Football League.

    We've had one promotion confirmed, albeit in record-breaking fashion. More promotions will follow as the season reaches its crescendo.

    We'll be back on Easter Monday as the fun and games in the 72 continues.

    For now, thank you for joining us.

    Burnley beat Boro to seal Premier League promotion

    Vincent Kompany's Burnley secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt with a victory over Middlesbrough.

    Read More
  2. Can Clarets take momentum into Premier League?published at 22:27 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to Premier League

    Burnley celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    Following their relegation, Vincent Kompany's arrival coincided with the club facing significant financial issues.

    The club received a £65m loan from American finance company MSD Holdings, a "significant proportion" of which was said to have to be repaid after they fell out of the top flight.

    That their financial issues have been overshadowed by their performance on the pitch is testament to the job Kompany has done.

    The Clarets last loss in the Championship was against Sheffield United in November - before the World Cup break - such has been their consistency.

    Whether they can take this domineering momentum in the Premier League remains to be seen, but Kompany has well and truly transformed the club in a short period.

  3. 'We can go for more, that is the aim'published at 22:24 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to Premier League

    Vincent Kompany celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Burnley boss Vincent Kompany told Sky Sports:

    "It's Easter and there's seven games to go and we're already celebrating. We didn't expect it.

    "We wanted to experience this at some point but quicker is better sometimes as well.

    "There's a couple of logical rules we all know, if you don't have squad cohesion at the beginning then it takes time. There's 46 games so you have the stress of games that help you improve quicker.

    "It wasn't easy. They're celebrating like kids and that's fun to see.

    "We can go for more now and that is the aim."

  4. 'A case of when, not if'published at 22:21 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to the Premier League

    Burnley celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    As the season has drawn to a close, it has been a case of not if but when Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League would be confirmed.

    Vincent Kompany's side have been in sensational form this season, putting together a remarkable unbeaten run at Turf Moor in all competitions in 2022-23.

    The Belgian overhauled the squad that was relegated from the top flight last term and turned them into one of the most formidable sides the Championship has seen.

    Remember, Kompany's appointment raised some eyebrows after the former Manchester City captain had left Belgian side Anderlecht by mutual consent at the tail end of last term.

    That feels a long time ago now...

  5. 'A lot of magic coming together'published at 22:18 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to the Premier League

    Burnley chairman Alan Pace told Sky Sports:

    "Vincent has done something that's very, very special.

    "This was a complete surprise, this was not our plan. Vincent and I talked about it in the summer, we gave ourselves two, three years was our plan. I think what you've seen is a lot of magic coming together.

    "This team is very, very good. You hear Vincent say it every week. They're surprising each and every one of us every day, they're phenomenal."

  6. 'The manager is almost addicted to football'published at 22:15 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to Premier League

    Burnley goalscorer Connor Roberts told Sky Sports:

    "It's brilliant. Not just tonight, it's a season's hard work. From the beginning of the season, I think a lot of people wrote us off.

    "But we've shown them and going into next season hopefully we can maintain the performance levels and who knows what can happen.

    "The manager and his staff, they're very intricate in what they do. They're almost addicted to football. It's shown this season and there's only been a couple of games where we've not performed as well as we can."

  7. 'Kompany has given us belief'published at 22:13 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to Premier League

    Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill told Sky Sports:

    "Throughout the whole season we've all been consistently, performing from the beginning.

    "[On Vincent Kompany's appointment] It's given the freedom back, believing there were good players, winning games.

    "The lads that are still here we were devastated to get relegated and we just wanted to go up and I'm delighted we've gone up."

  8. Postpublished at 22:09 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to Premier League

    Glen Little
    Former Burnley and Sheff Utd winger on BBC Radio Lancashire

    Even November time, going into the World Cup break, we weren't even top.

    It just shows you what a run we've had since we've come back from the World Cup.

    The strength in depth in the squad, they've shared it out.

  9. 'This is the end of my time at Burnley'published at 22:06 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to Premier League

    Ashley BarnesImage source, PA Media

    Burnley forward Ashley Barnes told Sky Sports:

    "After a difficult season to get relegated in the way we did, to bounce back and get straight back up is phenomenal.

    "This is the end of my era as a Burnley player, I'm quite emotional to score.

    "It's time to move on. It's one of those things, I'm delighted fro the staff and players and the fans. They've been through some tough times and it's nice to give that back to them today.

    "I'll enjoy every moment. The job is done but now we want to be champions and finish it off."

  10. Postpublished at 22:03 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to Premier League

    Glen Little
    Former Burnley and Sheff Utd winger on BBC Radio Lancashire

    Fantastic, great scenes.

    The support all season, sold-out all around the country.

    I think they've really enjoyed being in the Championship after what happened in the Premier League, disappointment, all the players leaving. Sean Dyche leaving.

    They went for an inexperienced manager, lots of new players, foreign players, loan players, but boy has it all come together.

    That period November time and after that World Cup break they've just grown, got better and better.

  11. Postpublished at 22:00 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Burnley promoted to Premier League

    A reminder that it was on Good Friday in 2022 when Sean Dyche was sacked by Burnley with the club headed for Premier League relegation.

    Good Friday 2023 and Vincent Kompany has taken the back to the top flight.

  12. BURNLEY ARE PROMOTED BACK TO THE PREMIER LEAGUEpublished at 21:56 British Summer Time 7 April 2023
    Breaking

    FT: Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley

    It's all over at the Riverside!

    Burnley have sealed an immediate return to the Premier League.

    Vincent Kompany's side were made to work for it by Middlesbrough, but Connor Roberts' winner has sent them back to the big time.

    The Clarets' unbeaten run continues as they march to the top flight.

    Burnley are promoted back to the Premier LeagueImage source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 90+6 mins

    Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley

    Middlesbrough's Chuba Akpom just nods wide of the target!

    Heart in mouth time for Burnley's fans!

  14. YELLOW CARDpublished at 90+4 mins

    Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley

    Burnley substitute Michael Obafemi goes into the book for a cynical foul.

    Not that he'll mind. Just under two minutes remaining.

  15. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley

    The Burnley fans in attendance are in fine voice.

    Their side are on the cusp of promotion.

    Just a few more minutes to hold on.

  16. Postpublished at 21:51 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley

    Glen Little
    Former Burnley and Sheff Utd winger on BBC Radio Lancashire

    I know Burnley have won promotions before - Ashley Barnes, this will be his third - but they haven't done it in this manner.

  17. INJURY TIMEpublished at 90 mins

    Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley

    Ari Muric is back on his feet and cleared to play on.

    Six minutes have been added on.

    Will there be any dramatic late action?

  18. Postpublished at 21:48 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

    Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley

    Glen Little
    Former Burnley and Sheff Utd winger on BBC Radio Lancashire

    It's been a tight game really, the chances for both sides have been few and far between.

    But as we have seen, Burnley are top by a long way for a reason. They manage to just find a way.

    It looks like we've got a couple of minutes to go then maybe six, seven minutes of added time then celebrations. It could be one of the best seasons the club has seen.

  19. Postpublished at 89 mins

    Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley

    Burnley keeper Ari Muric and Connor Roberts collide in the process of keeping out a Middlesbrough cross into the box.

    Muric in particular looks in a lot of pain and the physios rush on.

    Looks like we could be in for a fair amount of injury time here.

  20. Postpublished at 88 mins

    Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley

    It's been a bit of subdued five or six minutes at the Riverside with neither side offering much.

    A strange point for the game to die down a bit, you have to say.

    Middlesbrough are being constrained and send a long ball into the Burnley box which is easily caught by Clarets keeper Ari Muric.