Burnley welcomed Wigan Athletic to Turf Moor in the Championship on Monday knowing that three points would secure their promotion to the Premier League.
The home side boasted a two-goal lead at the interval courtesy of goals from Ashley Barnes and Michael Kightly.
Wigan improved in the second period, but could not make the breakthrough as Burnley secured their spot in England's leading division for the 2014/15 campaign.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Our Championship coverage continues on Sports Mole from Turf Moor as Burnley welcome Wigan Athletic. The home side currently sit second in the table behind already-promoted Leicester City. Victory for the Clarets this afternoon would secure promotion to the Premier League with two games remaining, but it will not be easy against a Wigan side that look almost certain of a play-off position.
TEAMS:
BURNLEY: Heaton; Tripper, Shackell, Duff, Mee; Arfield, Marney, Jones, Kightly; Barnes, Ings
WIGAN: Al Habsi; Perch, Boyce, Barnett, Crainey; McArthur, Collison; Beausejour, Gomez, McClean; Fortune
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Burnley XI this afternoon as leading scorer Danny Ings is paired in attack with Ashley Barnes. Dean Marney and Dave Jones, meanwhile, both start in midfield for the hosts. For Wigan, there is no place in the XI for either Callum McManaman or Shaun Maloney, but Jordi Gomez, James McClean and Marc-Antoine Fortune all start in an attacking lineup for the Latics.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Wigan have won two of the last three matches, but the points were shared in a goalless draw in the reverse match earlier this season. The last time the pair met at Turf Moor was in a Premier League fixture in 2009, when Wigan collected all the points with a 3-1 win.
Burnley enter the match off the back of a 1-0 win over Blackpool on Friday, with that result moving them a step closer to the Premier League. As it stands, they sit second in the Championship on 86 points, eight points clear of third-place Derby County with just three games remaining. Victory this afternoon ensures promotion, but they could also lose and still go up if Derby fail to win at home to Barnsley.
Burnley's home form this season has been extremely strong with 13 wins from their 21 matches, losing just twice in the process. Only Queens Park Rangers and league leaders Leicester have a better home record at this stage of the campaign. Meanwhile, Burnley also possess the second-best away record this season having won 11 of their 22 games, losing just three times on their travels. It has been an impressive campaign.
That said, the Clarets have won only two of their 22 meetings with Wigan in all competitions, losing 12 times in the process. They have the best defensive record in the Championship this season, however, conceding just 35 times. Wigan, meanwhile, have also impressed defensively with just conceded 40. Down the other end, Burnley are the fourth highest scorers with 67 goals, while Wigan have scored 57 times.
Despite reaching the FA Cup semi-finals in what has been an impressive season for Wigan, the Latics have won just two of their last seven games in all competitions. They are also without a win in their last two on the road, but a strong second half to the campaign has left them in fifth spot in the table on 70 points. As it stands, they are six points clear of seventh-place Reading with a game in hand.
Wigan's away form has been fairly disappointing, however, with nine of their 12 league defeats this season occurring on the road. They have won eight times on their travels, however, which is far from a disastrous record at this stage of the season. Uwe Rosler's side also boast a goal difference of plus 17, which puts them in a strong position for a playoff place. They also have a game in hand over each of the top 11.
BREAKING: Today's game is now a sell-out in home areas.
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 21, 2014
PREDICTION: Burnley have been very strong on their own patch this season and while Wigan enter this match off the back of successive away defeats in the league, I am finding it difficult to separate the two sides. In truth, I am not expecting too many goals and will therefore predict a 1-1 draw.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. Right, Burnley get the first 45 minutes of football underway.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. It is a full house at Turf Moor, which is not a surprise. Wigan launch the first attack of the match through McClean, but Heaton is out to collect. Plenty happening in the early exchanges as the challenges arrive in the middle of the park.
First sign of Ings as Arfield slides a low pass towards Burnley's leading scorer, but Al Habsi is out to claim at the vital moment. The pressure continues from Barnes, but the Burnley forward fells Boyce in a high challenge. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as the intensity remains extremely high at Turf Moor.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the opening six minutes, but Burnley are making most of the running. Bright work from Barnes forces a throw deep in Wigan territory, but the cross is straight into the arms of Al Habsi. Wigan have been unable to threaten in an attacking sense in the early moments.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges, but neither side has been able to make use of a set piece thus far. The noise continues inside the stadium, however, with Wigan joining the Burnley supporters in making their voices heard.
Half-chance for Wigan as a long straight ball bounces for McClean inside the Burnley box, but the former Sunderland winger cannot find the run of Fortune. Burnley are down the other end moments later, but Mee's cross is straight into the arms of Al Habsi. More intensity to the play in the last minute or two.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments due to some sloppy periods in possession, but it is Burnley that continue to look the most likely. Mee is down the left once more, but his cross is over Ings, who had pulled off Boyce. Still goalless with 13 minutes on the clock at Turf Moor.
Trippier and Mee continue to threaten in wide areas for the home side, but Wigan have not been too concerned thus far. Not too much to report in terms of a threat from Wigan, however, with Fortune isolated in the final third. You just get the feeling that the odd goal could be enough to win this particular contest.
CHANCE! First real chance of the match for the home side as Kightly drives into the Wigan box before rolling a low cross towards Ings, but Perch is across to clear at the vital moment. The pressure is starting to build with 17 minutes on the clock, but still the score remains goalless at Turf Moor.
As it stands, Burnley would be promoted to the Premier League due to the fact that Derby are still level at home to Barnsley. Wigan, meanwhile, are almost certainly assured of a playoff position this season. Burnley continue to threaten with two corners in quick succession, but Boyce and Perch take it in turns to clear the danger. It is a case of 'anywhere will do' for the visitors at the moment.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as Beausejour delivers a deep cross into the Burnley box, before Mee follows suit down the other end. Neither goalkeeper has been too concerned, however. The opening 22 minutes has flown past as the feisty challenges continue to arrive in the middle of the park.
GOAL! Burnley 1-0 Wigan (Barnes)
Burnley take the lead with 22 minutes on the clock as Barnes turns a low cross from Marney into the back of the net from close range. Lift-off for the home side! The Premier League moves ever closer.
It doesn't matter what Derby do this afternoon, if Burnley pick up all the points then they will be promoted to the Premier League. Wigan just need a period of possession in the next couple of moments as the pressure continues from the hosts. Sensational noise inside the stadium at the moment with 25 minutes played.
Wigan just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Ings and Barnes continue to put serious pressure on Barnett and Boyce at the heart of the away side's back four. You just get the feeling that another goal would end this match as a contest. Mee delivers once more from the left, but Arfield fires high and wide of the target.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Marney delivers a dangerous cross into the Wigan box, but Al Habsi just beats Ings to the ball. It is all one-way traffic as the pressure continues.
Half-chance for Wigan this time as Collision meets a deep free kick from McClean, but his header was always dropping into the arms of Heaton. That has been just about as close as Wigan have come in the first period. Little under 15 minutes of what has been a pulsating first half at Turf Moor. Still Burnley lead 1-0.
CROSSBAR! Wigan come within a whisker of levelling as Fortune meets a free kick from Gomez, but his header smashes the top of the crossbar. A real left-off for Burnley that is for certain.
BOOKING! Barnes enters the book for the home side following a high challenge with Boyce.
Not too much to report in terms of Burnley pressure in the last few moments as Wigan continue to force the issue, but Heaton has been confident in coming for crosses thus far. Fortune has an effort moments later, but Heaton collects to his right. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining at Turf Moor.
Boyce returns to the field with a bandaged head and immediately gets himself involved with Ings, allowing Burnley the chance to deliver a free kick from deep, but Barnett is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Another Burnley goal before the interval would certainly put a different spin on this contest.
Half-chance for the home side as Marney delivers a free kick from the right, but Al Habsi is on hand to make the save. The resulting corner also causes concern inside the Wigan box, but Barnett clears at the near post. Strong pressure from the hosts in the final stages of the half as Barnett denies Kightly once more.
BOOKING! Fortune enters the book for Wigan following a high challenge on Shackell.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the latter stages of the first period, but both continue to threaten in forward areas. The referee just needs to settle proceedings, meanwhile, as tensions threaten to boil over. As it stands, Burnley will be playing Premier League football next season.
GOAL! Burnley 2-0 Wigan (Kightly)
Burnley score their second after 42 minutes as Kightly rattles a powerful free kick into the top corner. Sensational effort from the midfielder. What a half for the Clarets!
Wigan attempt to respond through Collison, but his effort from the edge of the box is wide of the post. Sensational noise inside the stadium at the moment as the half enters its latter stages at Turf Moor.
BOOKING! Perch has his name taken for Wigan following a foul on Mee down the left.
Burnley continue to threaten in the latter stages of the half with Mee and Marney both having efforts from distance, but Wigan survive as their skipper Boyce leaves the field for more treatment on a head wound.
HALF-TIME: Burnley 2-0 Wigan
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Burnley leading Wigan 2-0 at the interval. Ashley Barnes opened the scoring after 22 minutes, before Kightly struck 20 minutes later. The visitors have had their moments and hit the crossbar through Fortune, but have drawn a blank thus far.
STATISTICS: The home side have had more of the ball with 56% possession, while they have had six attempts - four of which have been on target. Wigan, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their five attempts. It has also been a feisty half in terms of challenges, with the referee issuing bookings.
BENCH WATCH: Not that they need it at the moment, but Burnley boss Dyche has a number of attacking options on his bench this afternoon in the shape of Long, Stanislas and Wallace. Meanwhile, Wigan have the likes of Maloney, Maynard, McManaman and Powell in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Burnley will be promoted to the Premier League alongside Leicester City. Wigan, meanwhile, remain in fifth position in the table. Right, the visitors get the second 45 minutes of football underway at Turf Moor.
IMAGE: And the loanee is congratulated by Ben Mee. #BFCvWAFC pic.twitter.com/CmJMq74zpE
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) April 21, 2014
SUBS! Two changes for Wigan at the interval with McManaman and Kiernan entering the field in place of Crainey and Gomez.
No changes in the Burnley XI from the first period, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. Bright start to the half from the visitors as McClean delivers a low cross into the Burnley box, but Duff is on hand to clear the danger. A Wigan goal would certainly change the atmosphere at Turf Moor.
Half-chance for Wigan as McManaman finds some space outside the box before striking one towards goal, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Burnley are down the other end with Kightly moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Al Habsi in an end-to-end period of the match.
Possession football from Burnley in the last couple of moments, but Wigan are closing the spaces in the final third. Kightly once more tries his luck from distance, but his effort moves wide of the post. I would astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this afternoon due to the attacking nature of both teams.
Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as McManaman drives into the Burnley box before delivering a low cross towards Fortune, but Mee is on hand to make the block. The resulting corner is delivered by McClean, but Barnett is penalised for a high challenge on Shackell and Burnley clear the danger once more.
One-way traffic in the last few minutes as Wigan continue to force the issue with a series of crosses into the Burnley box. Collison finds some space before sliding it towards McClean, but Mee is on hand to clear. The resulting corner also causes concern inside the home side's box, but it would not fall for Beausejour.
Not too much from Burnley in the last few moments as the pressure continues to arrive from Wigan, but the home side remain a threat on the counter attack. It is the Wigan supporters that can be heard as this match approaches the hour mark. The next goal - if there indeed is one - will surely be vital.
Another half-chance for Wigan as Fortune finds some space inside the Burnley box before advancing into a one-on-one situation with Heaton, but the Burnley stopper makes another smart save from close range.
POST! Burnley come close to a third as Ings drives into the Wigan box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort smashes off the post.
BOOKING! Boyce enters the book for Wigan following a challenge on Ings. There is a serious intensity to the match at the moment as the play continues to flow from end-to-end.
Just a reminder that, as it stands, Burnley will be promoted to the Premier League. Marney threatens to find a third for the home side after smart work from Ings, but the midfielder had been in an offside position. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in this Championship contest. Wigan are far from finished.
CHANCE! Wigan come close once more as Boyce rises highest inside the Burnley box, but his effort just drops wide of the post. Nerves from the home side as Wigan continue to force the issue.
BOOKING! Collision has his name taken for Wigan after bringing Barnes to the ground.
Jones comes close for the home side after striking a free kick from the edge of the box, but Al Habsi is across to make a smart save. Moments later, the home side have another set piece in an advanced position, but once more Wigan manage to clear the danger. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining at Turf Moor.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, but both sides continue to force the issue in forward areas. Wigan deliver a deep free kick into the Burnley box through Beausejour, but Boyce cannot make contact under pressure from Mee and Burnley have a goal kick. Still 2-0 to the home side.
Boyce continues to threaten from set pieces as the Wigan captain meets a corner from McClean, but his header is wide. Still no movement on the Burnley bench, while Wigan have one permitted change remaining.
The pressure continues to arrive from the visitors as Collison finds some space outside the Burnley box before sliding a pass into Fortune, but Mee is across to clear once more. Fortune finds himself down the right moments later before driving a cross into the box, but there are no takers as Burnley clear.
SUB! Wigan make their third and final change of the match as Maynard replaces McClean, who has struggled to influence proceedings this afternoon. Little over 10 minutes of this contest to play.
SUB! Burnley make their first change of the match as Baird replaces Trippier, who limps off the field. Wonderful ovation for the right-back as he makes his way straight down the tunnel.
BOOKING! Mee is booked for Burnley following a late challenge on McManaman.
Half-chance for Barnes as the Burnley forward finds some space outside the box, but his effort is straight at Al Habsi, who makes the save. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining at Turf Moor.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but the intensity remains high as challenges continue to arrive from both sides. It would not be a surprise to see a red card in the latter stages due to the number of players that are currently on bookings. Little over five minutes remaining.
Half-chance for Wigan as McManaman finds some space inside the Burnley box before lining up an effort on goal, but Mee is across to make a brilliant challenge. Strong pressure from Wigan in the last couple of minutes, but the home side survive. They are almost there, but Wigan have other ideas at Turf Moor.
Possession football for the away side as Beausejour and McManaman continue to threaten in wide areas, but the Latics just cannot find a way through. A period of respite for Burnley arrives moments later as Boyce fells Baird. Little over one minute of normal time remaining. Burnley are heading for the Premier League.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and we are indeed into the first of those. The home supporters are already celebrating. There is going to be a party in Burnley tonight!
Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure from either side as time continues to drift away. It is a matter of when and not if for Burnley now. They will play Premier League football next season.
The stewards are going to have a tough time keeping people off the pitch at the end of the match...
FULL-TIME: Burnley 2-0 Wigan
BURNLEY ARE PROMOTED TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE!
Incredible scenes at Turf Moor as the home supporters flood onto the pitch. It has been a long season, but Dyche has led his side into the Premier League with two games of the Championship season remaining.
Burnley also still have a chance of winning the Championship title this season, but trail leaders Leicester - who have only played 43 games - by four points. It is an incredible achievement by the Clarets.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for all the reaction on what has been another pulsating afternoon in the Football League. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
