Leeds Roll to Victory
At Elland Road, Leeds United made short work of Stoke City, running out 6-0 winners to guarantee the runners‑up spot. Joel Piroe—Leeds’ top scorer—ended a five‑match goal drought in spectacular fashion, netting four times before the break (including a 20‑minute hat‑trick). Junior Firpo’s strike made it 4-0, and Wilfried Gnonto capped the rout early in the second half. The emphatic win took Daniel Farke’s side to 94 points, matching Burnley but with superior goal difference, and capped a season in which Leeds led the division in goals scored (89).
Speaking after the match, Farke praised his players’ mental resilience. “To deliver such an emphatic performance under pressure is really amazing,” he told the BBC. “Joel had a dip in form, but he worked so hard—and today everything came out, like shaking a bottle of ketchup.”
Burnley’s Defensive Masterclass
Earlier at Turf Moor, Burnley also pulled clear of Sheffield United by defeating them 3-1 in a match that doubled as a title decider. Captain Josh Brownhill struck twice—from open play and the penalty spot—and Tom Cannon had briefly equalized for Sheffield before Brownhill restored the lead. The 31‑game unbeaten run under Scott Parker showcased Burnley’s hallmark defensive solidity: they’ve conceded just 15 goals all season, the fewest in the league. Brownhill reflected on Sky Sports, “We’ve been written off so many times, people calling us boring. We’ve bored our way to the Premier League. It takes everyone.”
Sheffield United in Play-Off Limbo
Sheffield United entered Monday needing a win to overtake both Leeds and Burnley but could not keep pace. Despite going ahead through Cannon’s strike, they were undone by Brownhill’s brace and must now navigate the Championship play-offs for a final shot at promotion. Chris Wilder’s side, who finish third on 86 points, will face the winner of the fourth vs. seventh place tie in the semi-finals.
With automatic promotion secured, Leeds and Burnley can now begin preparations for next season’s top flight, while Sheffield United—and several other hopefuls—turn their attention to the high-stakes play-offs.