Burnley sealed an immediate return to the English Premier League under Vincent Kompany by beating Middlesbrough 2-1 in the second-tier Championship on Friday.

The win guaranteed Burnley a top-two finish, with the team still having seven games left to play.

Kompany, the former Manchester City captain, has had a stunning effect since taking over as manager a few weeks after Burnley were relegated from the Premier League last year to end their six-season stay in the top-flight.

The team once known for playing direct, pragmatic soccer has a more expansive, possession-based approach and lead the Championship by 11 points from second-placed Sheffield United.

Man City manager Pep Guardiola said recently he believes Kompany will one day take charge of the club he graced for 11 years and where he has a statue outside the Etihad Stadium. (AP)