Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley: Vincent Kompany's side secure Premier League promotion with win

Baku, April 8, AZERTAC

Vincent Kompany's Burnley secured their immediate return to the Premier League as a second-half winner from Connor Roberts earned a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough, according to Sky Sports.

All the Championship leaders needed to achieve promotion was victory at the Riverside Stadium, and the Clarets took just 12 minutes to break the deadlock when Ashley Barnes tapped home Josh Brownhill's shot from close range.

Middlesbrough, who went into the game unbeaten in 11 home matches, aimed to maintain that record after half-time and equalised through Chuba Akpom's penalty following Josh Cullen's foul on Cameron Archer.

But Roberts became the Turf Moor cult hero when he tapped home Nathan Tella's cross just after the hour mark - which was enough for Burnley to secure their most priceless three points of the season.

Asked if he ever dreamed of a season like this, Kompany told Sky Sports: "No. It's Easter, there's seven games to go and we are already celebrating."

Promotion from the Championship has been secured by Burnley with seven games to spare - a Championship record.

Both Kompany and Burnley chairman Alan Pace admitted the club never envisaged a Premier League return so quickly - as they felt the Clarets needed to wait two or three years to become a promotion-level side.