WATCH the EFL Championship LIVE on beIN SPORTS | Sign up to take advantage of our 7-day FREE TRIAL here | AU | NZ

The Clarets' skipper scored twice in the first half as Scott Parker's side assured its place in the top two automatic promotion places, while ensuring the Blades would have to settle for a play-off spot.

The win also means Leeds United, which thumped Stoke City 6-0 earlier in the day, will join Burnley back in the top flight, with both sides now eight points clear of Chris Wilder's Blades with two matches remaining.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when Brownhill fired into the roof of the net from close range after Michael Cooper could only parry Josh Cullen's initial attempt.

United was back on level terms nine minutes later with Gustavo Hamer embarking on a strong run into the box before feeding Tom Cannon, who rifled the ball past James Trafford from a tight angle.

However, Burnley regained the lead just before half-time, Brownhill calmly sending Cooper the wrong way from the penalty spot after Anel Ahmedhodzic had fouled Hannibal Mejbri in the box.

It proved to be enough at Turf Moor as Parker's side held out to spark wild celebrations among the home supporters, with Premier League football set to return next season.

As well as sealing a top-flight return, Burnley extended its unbeaten league streak to a new club record of 31 matches.

The Clarets have won all 18 of their Championship matches this season in which they have led at half-time and their promotion has been built on defensive solidity, with the club setting a record of 12 consecutive clean sheets earlier in the term, conceding just 15 goals throughout the season so far. 

This approach has seen them earn the "boring" tag, but matchwinner Brownhill was unconcerned with how his team sealed its Premier League return.

"I'm speechless. All that hard work this season," Brownhill said after full-time.

"We've been written off so many times, people calling us boring. We've bored our way to the Premier League.

"It takes a whole team; it's not just a back four, a goalkeeper, it takes everybody.

"I don't think a lot of the lads will sleep. I'm so buzzing for the lads that haven't played Premier League football."

For Burnley boss Parker, meanwhile, it was yet another second-tier promotion that he can add to his resume.

Parker has now overseen three EFL Championship promotions with three different teams, but said that this latest success was arguably his most special.

"It means everything. Set on a mission at the start of this year to get promoted," Parker said.

"Early on in the season, there was a lot of ups and downs and the journey we've been on is nothing short of incredible.

"As cliche as it sounds, I built my whole life on hard work and I try to instil that in these players.

"The main thing for me is togetherness, a group that is together and it's got us to the Premier League.

"This one feels special. I've had some bumps in the road as a manager, not to make this about me.

"I decided to take a year out and came back to this, I knew it would be a challenge.

"The spotlight often shines on the players and myself but the sacrifices that families make – they fully deserve it."

With Burnley level on points with Leeds with two games remaining, Parker said his players will do everything in their power to go up as champion of the division.

"We are going to go for it. That's the aim and that's exactly what we are going to do. There's two games left and we want to try and go for the title," Parker concluded.