Burnley promoted to Premier League after Roberts sinks Middlesbrough

Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed with seven games to spare as they beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the Riverside.

Just over 10 months since they were relegated under the caretaker stewardship of Mike Jackson, Vincent Kompany’s reborn Clarets will be back in the top flight next season.

“I’m pleased and happy for the players. It’s a very special feeling, we have made memories today,” Kompany said. “We still don’t have the silverware, but we have made memories. There is already one milestone that has been achieved, and one achievement that cannot be taken away from us.

“I am really happy for the club and for everybody involved. This is special. I still have to say that the best moment will be if we get the trophy, and that is not the case yet. But for this club it already means what it means - next year, Burnley will be in the Premier League and Turf Moor will host the best teams in the world. That is something to be proud of.”

Ashley Barnes’ first-half opener set them on their way on Teesside, and while Boro briefly restored parity thanks to a penalty from Chuba Akpom, Connor Roberts’ 66th-minute strike secured the victory that guarantees promotion.

With an 11-point cushion over second-placed Sheffield United, Burnley will almost certainly end the season as champions, while Middlesbrough’s hopes of claiming automatic promotion are surely over given they are now nine points adrift of the second-placed Blades, having played a game more.

Burnley started the evening knowing only a victory would be sufficient to guarantee a return to the top-flight at the first time of asking, and while Cameron Archer threatened for Boro in the opening 10 minutes with a volley that flew over, the Clarets calmed any jitters