PROMOTED Burnley finally clinched the Championship title with a win over rivals Blackburn Rovers in the east Lancashire derby at Ewood Park.
Manuel Benson’s superb second-half strike broke the deadlock for the Clarets in a feisty match that had a high tempo but saw both sides limited in clear-cut chances in front of goal.
Blackburn created more opportunities, with five shots on target to one from Burnley, as Dom Hyam saw a strike from distance saved and Sammie Szmodics almost flicked the ball inside the near post in stoppage time.
The hosts also had strong penalty shouts waved away in the final few seconds when Callum Brittain’s cross appeared to hit Ashley Barnes’ arm.
Defeat dents Rovers’ chances of reaching the play-offs and leaves them in eighth place, without a win in their past seven league games and outside the top six on goal difference.
Their remaining two fixtures see them host third-placed Luton Town before a potentially pivotal meeting with seventh-placed Millwall on 8 May.
