BURNLEY star Johann Gudmundsson was struck on the head by a missile from a fan during their 2-1 Championship win over Middlesbrough.
The 32-year-old Icelandic international was celebrating the visitor’s second goal of the game at The Riverside when he was hit by an object thrown from the crowd.
Gudmundsson hit the floor and held his head in pain as replays showed the shocking incident moments after Connor Roberts’ decisive strike.
He eventually made it back to his feet and carried on.
But in the 79th minute he was replaced by Jack Cork – although it was unclear whether injuries sustained from the missile thrown led to the substitution.
Burnley knew a win would secure them promotion back to the Premier League with seven games to spare.
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And they managed to hold on to seal their return and spark huge celebrations.
And they got off to the best possible start when Ashley Barnes gave them the lead in the 12th minute.
But fourth-place Boro were not making things easy for the league leaders and they found a way back into the game at the start of the second half.
Josh Cullen went down under minimal contact from Cameron Archer and the referee pointed to the spot.
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Chuba Akpom stepped up to rifle the spot kick into the bottom corner as bedlam ensued at The Riverside.
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But Burnley, who are on course to collect more than 100 points this season, were not done yet.
Nathan Tella, on loan from Premier League side Southampton, burst into the box and cut the ball back for Roberts to fire home.
And Vincent Kompany’s men held on to clinch promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
