Leeds United and Burnley both punched their tickets to the Premier League with decisive, dominating performances in their final games. Leeds United, now owned by the U.S.-based 49ers Enterprises, obliterated Stoke City in English football’s Championship with a stunning 6-0 win. Meanwhile, Burnley, which has been majority-owned by the ALK Capital investment group since 2020, triumphed over Sheffield United with a 2-1 win. Both clubs will benefit from a projected £140m revenue boost after their elevation.
Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu took to social media after the game to share his delight at the feat. To him, these celebrations were proof of the blood, sweat and tears the crew left on the road during the hard-fought year.
“Very proud. A lot of positives. The celebrations are amazing. We’ve worked all year for this,” – Ethan Ampadu.
Leeds showed their true attacking potential in an electrifying matchup against Burnley. In fact, they scored a jaw-dropping five goals in just the first half! Tougher games? Joel Piroe hogged the headlines in midweek by scoring a hat trick inside the opening 20 mins. His exceptional opening performance fueled a dominant overall display.
Burnley certainly made a strong showing in their inaugural season. They proved to be the most resilient and defensively sound team in the league, clinching their promotion comfortably. His team conceded only 15 times in 44 matches. This remarkable shielding was central to their enormous campaign success. Burnley captain Josh Brownhill described what it was like to be speechless after reaching this milestone.
“I’m speechless. All that hard work this season,” – Josh Brownhill.
The challenges and ownership dynamics of both clubs are emblematic of a macro trend—one that’s seen U.S. investors continue to take hold of English football. Leeds is currently directed by a New York-based ownership led by businessman Alan Pace. Other key minority owners include former star NFL defensive end J.J. Watt. His excitement over the promotion was noticeable when he recently declared,
“WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!!!!!! Come On Burnley!!!!!” – J.J. Watt.
Meanwhile, Leeds United and Burnley have been riding high this season through the sheer force of their attacks. They’re some of the best when it comes to capitalizing on smart, strategic play and stubborn defenses. Leeds United’s recent victories have showcased their ability to dominate matches, while Burnley’s defensive strategies have been a key factor in their remarkable season.
Sheffield United have had a ton of issues this season. Consequently, they found it difficult to either reach the heights of Leeds or Burnley. Following Burnley’s victory over Sheffield United, it became clear that they could no longer better either team’s tally.
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