After a victory over Middlesbrough, who were in fourth position, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley earned promotion back to the Premier League at the first try.
As Ashley Barnes successfully deflected Josh Brownhill’s low shot into the goal, the Clarets, who have been winless in the league since November, took the lead right away.
Chuba Akpom, the top scorer in the Championship, converted a penalty kick for the home team just after the half after Josh Cullen had brought down Cameron Archer there.
A riotous celebration broke out on the field and among the visiting supporters when Connor Roberts headed in the game-winning goal from Nathan Tella’s near-post cross.
With six games remaining, third-placed Luton is now 19 points behind east Lancashire’s team after their victory.
After Turf Moor was demoted on the final day of the previous season, Kompany departed Belgian top-flight team Anderlecht to take over at Turf Moor, and the 36-year-old former Manchester City defender has enjoyed a nearly perfect first season.
Despite a significant player turnover in the summer after their six-year stint in the Premier League ended, they have become the first English Football League team to achieve promotion in 2022–23 after dominating the standings since 25 October.
With seven games remaining, the Lancashire squad needs just 11 points to win the championship, and 13 will make them the first Championship team to reach 100 points since Leicester City in 2013–14.
On Monday, Burnley will play home to second-placed Sheffield United, who last defeated them in a league match 19 games ago.
Middlesbrough, who are currently in fourth position, suffered a damaging second consecutive loss and are now nine points behind the Blades, who have also played one fewer game.
