Burnley manager Scott Parker insisted missing out on the Sky Bet Championship title on goal difference would do nothing to dent his pride after the Clarets ended their record-breaking promotion season with a 3-1 win over Millwall.
Burnley fell behind to an early Mihailo Ivanovic goal but Josh Brownhill soon cancelled that out and added a late third after Jaidon Anthony put Burnley in front.
It looked as though Burnley would take the title until Leeds scored a stoppage-time winner at Plymouth to leave the Clarets as the first side in English football history to finish with 100 points but not be crowned champions.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” Parker said. “The main objective was to get three points and end the season on 100 points. Two defeats all season, 33 games unbeaten, 16 goals conceded, that’s all I could ask for really.
“If you’d said to us at any point that 100 points this year wouldn’t get you the title we’d all be thinking, ‘no chance’. To lose the title on goal difference is a little disappointing but I won’t let that overshadow a remarkable season.”
Burnley have set a new mark for the stingiest defence in English football history this term, conceding only 16 goals in 46 league games, bettering Liverpool who conceding 16 across 42 matches in 1978-79.
Parker was a part of the third best defence on the list going by goals per game – the 2004-05 Chelsea side who conceded 15 in 38 games.
“I didn’t play a lot in that team!” Parker said with a laugh. “I’d like to say it was a pivotal role but I was probably watching from afar…
“We’ve built our game on that foundation, it’s given us a foothold in most games and in the end it became contagious, a badge of honour on our chest. You see in this team a desire and a passion to keep clean sheets and it put us in good stead.
“It’s been our bedrock and hopefully it’s been ingrained in us as a habit. Of course we go up and level where the tests will come thick and fast, we understand that, but after coming out of a big season where we’ve been pretty remarkable defensively we’ll see where that takes us.”
Millwall came into the game having won five of their last six to open up a shot at a first play-off appearance since 2002, and were left to wonder what might have been after Josh Coburn’s shocking miss late in the first half that would have put them back in front.
George Honeyman’s low cross from the right put it on a plate for the striker, but he somehow hit a post from a couple of yards out.
“That was the moment,” Alex Neil said. “You see games and those key moments decide big games. If we could have taken that second goal that would have been a double setback for them.”
Millwall ultimately fell two points shy of the top six but Neil, who took charge in December, has been encouraged by the last few months.
“Pride is the overriding emotion when you look at what the lads have turned out these last game and the big wins we’ve got,” he said.
“We took it until the last 45 minutes of the season and we can be proud of our work since January.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal & Chelsea formation for this season Fluminense vs. ChelseaPSG vs. Real Madrid The Club World Cup semifinals are set Real Madrid take down Dortmund to reach the Club World Cup semifinals France beat reigning champs England in their Women's Euros opener Chelsea have confirmed the signing of 20-year-old Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund Thoughts A...
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with a move to Manchester United since November and it's now been claimed that the striker could skip pre-season with SportingViktor Gyokeres has been linked to Man UtdManchester United have received a promising update on Viktor Gyokeres.However, Sporting CP's president Frederico Varandas last month firmly stated that the forward wouldn't be leaving for €60mil...
Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing an Arsenal player in return as the Gunners close in on Noni Madueke.Chelsea are interested in Ethan Nwaneri.Chelsea and Arsenal could complete yet another transfer after Noni Madueke, should the 23-year-old winger seal a switch to the Emirates Stadium this summer. The Gunners have reportedly agreed personal terms with Madueke ahead of opening club-to-cl...
Manchester United are reportedly contemplating making a shock move to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer after his departure from Everton. With financial caution dictating this summer’s recruitment strategy, Amorim is believed to be keen on bolstering the squad with low-risk, high-upside signings, with Calvert-Lewin fitting the bill perfectly.United eager to bolster their attackHa...
Barcelona eye Leao as Milan set asking priceBarcelona have been made aware that a proposal in the region of €70 million, with additional performance-based clauses, may be enough to convince AC Milan to consider selling Rafael Leão, according to Diario Sport.The Portuguese winger has already attracted interest from Bayern Munich, but the German champions reportedly failed to reach an agr...
Harry Kane costs Bayern Munich in PSG lossHarry Kane's error paved the way to Bayern Munich's Club World Cup loss to nine-man Paris Saint-Germain, as Jamal Musiala suffered a horror injury.Paris Saint-Germain v FC Bayern München: Quarter-final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025TELL ME MOREAfter an end-to-end opening, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia could only find the side netting when put through by Achraf Ha...
Luis-DiazLuis Diaz opened up on his future plans as Barcelona have reportedly reignited their interest in the Liverpool star after they were snubbed by Nico Williams. Hours after Williams’ contract extension was officially announced, reports emerged linking the Blaugrana with Díaz, who has long been admired by sporting director Deco. The Colombian forward is now seen as a priority for B...
FBL-WC-CLUB-2025-MATCH59-PSG-BAYERNBayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has criticised Paris Saint-Germain star Gianluigi Donnarumma for his role in Jamal Musiala's injury.WHAT HAPPENED?The PSG stopper collided with Musiala in the first half of Bayern's 2-0 Club World Cup quarter-final loss on Saturday, with the 22-year-old having to be stretchered off for a serious-looking injury. Now, Eberl...
Aston Villa FC v Manchester City FC - Premier LeagueKyle Walker has bid Manchester City fans an emotional farewell message following his move to Burnley.WHAT HAPPENED?Hours after Walker signed for Burnley on a two-year deal from City in a deal worth up to £5 million, the England international has taken to social media to thank fans for their support, while also reflecting on just how successf...
Real Madrid CF v Borussia Dortmund: Quarter-final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025Kylian Mbappe was left stunned as Gonzalo Garcia matched a Cristiano Ronaldo Club World Cup goals record after scoring against Borussia Dortmund.WHAT HAPPENED?Garcia gave Madrid a 10th-minute lead over Dortmund in the Club World Cup quarter-finals for his fourth goal of the competition, and Fran Garcia's 20th-minute strike...
- 1 Inside jet-setting England star Dominic Solanke's honeymoon with wife Erica
- 2 Garnacho reveals he intends to stay in the Premier League after Man Utd departure
- 3 Five players ask to leave Man Utd including Rashford, Antony, Garnacho and Sancho
- 4 Ex-Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette finds new club! Striker set to complete move to Saudi Pro League side after Lyon exit
- 5 Diogo Jota's wife arrives at chapel where tragic star's coffin is taken
- 6 Coleen Rooney eclipses husband Wayne as main breadwinner
- 7 Diogo Jota's family life with beautiful wife, cheeky sons, baby girl and dogs
- 8 Man Utd snubbed loan deal for Duran after his 3336k-a-week wages were revealed
- 9 Daily Laugh - If Arsenal get Gabriel Heinze
- 10 Ex-Chelsea wonderkid RETIRES at age of 28 just three years after Stamford Bridge exit as injuries put end to playing career