Middlesbrough 1-2 Burnley: The Clarets return to the Premier League after Barnes and Roberts goals

Burnley is back – and in what style.

They dominated the promotion race for the Championship, topping the table since October and unbeaten since November. It was always a matter of when, not if they would seal their return to the Premier League.

But for Vincent Kompany and his players, it was still immensely satisfying to cross the line on their own pitch against one of their strongest rivals in Middlesbrough.

It was Connor Roberts who provided the golden goal that gave Burnley a windfall of more than £100 million after Chuba Akpom’s penalty canceled out an earlier poacher finish by Ashley Barnes.

Kompany deserves huge credit for how he dispelled the gloomy clouds that accompanied Burnley’s relegation 12 months ago.

The 2-1 away win means Vincent Kompany’s Clarets will return to the Premier League next season

With mounting debt and a sell-out of key players, no one expected to see them back in the Premier League any time soon.

On Good Friday last year, Sean Dyche was sacked as manager as they slipped helplessly out of the top flight. This Easter is clearly better.

Kompany came in and transformed the way Burnley played and with it the whole view of Turf Moor. They get up with seven games left to play, something that has never been done before in this league.

The title will almost certainly follow and they could still break the 100 point barrier, a true mark of their class.

When the final whistle blew at the Riverside, even someone as tall as Kompany disappeared from view as he was being harassed by his coaching staff.

The players formed a large bunch before defecting to 3,000 jubilant supporters who bounced up and down in their corner.

You could tell Kompany was just taking time to enjoy the wild parties, a quiet moment to himself as the magnitude of his achievement sank in amidst the spray of champagne.

The sound of his players shouting ‘Wonderwall’ in the locker room echoed around the Riverside.

Someone as driven as Kompany will not be able to resist thinking ahead to next season and the challenge of staying in the Premier League.

He sat down and watched the goalless draw between Millwall and Luton at lunchtime that pushed Burnley to the edge of the promised land.

His side attempted a little power play before kick-off as they ran onto Middlesbrough’s favored side of the Riverside pitch and refused to budge for a minute or two.

The nerve-racking early goal they craved arrived. It stemmed from Anass Zaroury’s deception on the left wing, beating Tommy Smith before cutting a pass back to Roberts.

Stepping aside for a red shirt, he squared off to Josh Brownhill about 25 yards from goal. Burnley’s captain fired, but it appeared to go off target until Barnes stuck out a leg and guided it home.

Burnley clamored for a penalty when Aaron Ramsey cut Brownhill soon after, but referee Darren Bond brushed off calls.

And they really should have made life easier when Tella snuck in behind the dozing Darragh Lenihan, but dragged his effort wide.

Ashley Barnes reached out to run Burnley’s opener past Boro keeper Zack Steffen

Middlesbrough’s Chuba Akpom equalized for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 48th minute

Middlesbrough came back with renewed energy for the second half, winning a penalty when Josh Cullen bungled awkwardly over Cameron Archer.

Akpom, the championship’s deadliest sharpshooter this season, made no mistake for his 27th of the campaign.

But the best teams always find a way and Burnley dug deep. Tella beat Jonny Howson on Burnley’s right and Roberts came in to apply the decisive touch.

There was another heartbreaking moment when Akpom headed wide in stoppage time, but Burnley’s celebrations were soon on.