The Championship promotion race reached a thrilling climax on Saturday, April 22, 2024, as Burnley secured their return to the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sheffield United at Turf Moor. This result also propelled league leaders Leeds United back to the top flight after a one-season absence. Burnley’s victory, coupled with Leeds’ emphatic 6-0 thrashing of Stoke City earlier in the day, ensured both teams finished in the automatic promotion spots, amassing an impressive 94 points each. Sheffield United, despite their valiant effort, now face the prospect of battling for promotion through the playoffs.
The day’s drama unfolded at Elland Road, where Leeds United delivered a dominant performance against Stoke City. Joel Piroe’s sensational hat-trick within the first 20 minutes set the tone for a memorable afternoon, with the Dutch striker adding another goal before halftime to complete a four-goal haul. Leeds’ relentless attacking display saw them cruise to a commanding 5-0 lead by the interval, effectively sealing their return to the Premier League after their relegation in 2023. The victory marked a triumphant return to the top flight for Leeds, ending their brief exile from the Premier League.
Burnley’s clash with Sheffield United, a crucial encounter for both sides’ promotion aspirations, proved to be a tight affair. Josh Brownhill’s brace ultimately proved decisive for Burnley, securing their automatic promotion alongside Leeds. While Tom Cannon managed to equalize for Sheffield United, Brownhill’s second goal ensured Burnley emerged victorious, ending Sheffield United’s hopes of automatic promotion. The result left Sheffield United in third place, six points adrift of the top two, forcing them to navigate the challenging playoff route in their quest for Premier League football.
The battle for the remaining playoff spots intensified as Sunderland, despite securing their playoff berth, suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers. Blackburn’s victory kept their slim hopes of a top-six finish alive, adding further intrigue to the final two rounds of fixtures. Fifth-placed Bristol City also stumbled, losing 3-1 to relegation-threatened Luton Town, a result that left them vulnerable to the chasing pack. Coventry City, hoping to capitalize on Bristol City’s slip-up, also fell short, suffering a 3-1 defeat to bottom-club Plymouth Argyle.
Middlesbrough, occupying seventh place, missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on the teams above them, losing 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday despite taking an early lead. With two games remaining, the race for the playoffs remained wide open, with Bristol City (67 points), Coventry City (66 points), and Middlesbrough (63 points) all vying for the remaining spots. Millwall (63 points) and Blackburn Rovers (62 points) also remained in contention, setting up a thrilling finale to the Championship season. The remaining fixtures promised a tense battle for playoff places, adding to the already dramatic conclusion of the Championship campaign.
The Championship season concluded with a flurry of activity and shifting fortunes as teams fought for every point. The dramatic final day saw several teams battling for survival and playoff spots, encapsulating the intense competition and high stakes of the Championship. Burnley and Leeds United’s celebrations marked a triumphant return to the Premier League, while Sheffield United and the other playoff contenders prepared for the challenging battles ahead. The Championship season provided a compelling narrative of ambition, heartbreak, and ultimately, triumph for the two promoted teams. The playoff race, with its inherent drama and unpredictable nature, offered a fitting conclusion to a captivating season.
