Burnley captain Josh Brownhill sent the Clarets back into the Premier League with both goals in a 2-1 win over Sheffield United that also saw Leeds promoted and left the Blades relying on the play-offs.
Scott Parker made it three promotions with three different clubs in the space of six seasons as Burnley extended their unbeaten league run to a club-record 31 games, bouncing straight back to the Premier League just as they did after their last two relegations in 2015 and 2022.
Brownhill poked the Clarets in front after Josh Cullen's 28th-minute shot was saved.
There would not be a Burnley clean sheet to equal Port Vale’s all-time record of 30 in a single season as Tom Cannon quickly replied for the Blades, but Brownhill had the hosts back in front from the penalty spot before half-time, the midfielder’s 16th goal of the season.
Victory keeps Burnley level with Leeds at the top of the table, both with a chance to finish on 100 points, but defeat for United, their fourth in five games, means another trip to the dreaded play-offs.
The Blades have been in the promotion play-offs on eight previous occasions, reaching four finals, but are yet to make it up via that route.
Earlier, Joel Piroe struck four goals as rampant Leeds thrashed Stoke 6-0 at Elland Road, with Junior Firpo and Willy Gnonto also on target for the hosts.
Two goals from Mustapha Bundu helped relegation-threatened Plymouth stun play-off hopefuls Coventry 3-1 to claim their third home win in a row.
Cardiff, meanwhile, suffered a huge blow to their survival hopes as a free-kick screamer from Cameron Brannagan salvaged a 1-1 draw for Oxford and soured Aaron Ramsey’s first game as interim Bluebirds boss.
The remainder of the teams in acute relegation danger all won, Derby earning a much-needed 3-1 victory over West Brom with goals from Ebou Adams, Jerry Yates and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Hull came from behind to beat fellow strugglers Preston 2-1 with two Joe Gelhardt penalties while a terrific second-half display saw Luton give their hopes a boost by beating play-off chasing Bristol City 3-1. Thelo Aasgaard, Carlton Morris and Isaiah Jones scored Town’s goals.
Colby Bishop’s goal earned Portsmouth a 1-0 win over 10-man Watford to seal their safety.
Pompey are six points clear of the drop zone with two games to play but, with Hull and Derby still to play each other, their status in the second tier is secure.
Tyrhys Dolan kept alive Blackburn’s chances of making the play-offs after a hard-earned 1-0 win at Sunderland.
Millwall are just three points off sixth-placed Coventry in the play-off places with two matches to go after Mihailo Ivanovic scored twice to sink Norwich 3-1 at The Den.
Middlesbrough’s ambitions were dented by a damaging 2-1 loss at Sheffield Wednesday after substitute Anthony Musaba scrambled home an 89th-minute winner.
Resurgent Swansea made it five consecutive Championship wins by beating QPR 2-1 and further boosting former Republic of Ireland Under- 21 international Alan Sheehan’s chances of taking permanent charge.
