Burnley 2 Leeds United 2 (Leeds win 5-3 on pens) - Boss Christiansen targets regular top-flight encounters

Hadi Sacko celebrates scoring Leeds opening goal. against Burnley Picture Bruce Rollinson

LEEDS UNITED manager Thomas Christiansen hopes his side's Carabao Cup triumph over Burnley is merely a sneak preview of life in the Premier League.

The Championship leaders proved more than a match for a side who currently sit seventh in the top flight, winning 5-3 on penalties at Turf Moor after a frenetic end to the 90 minutes saw the Roses rivals locked at 2-2.

Despite being a late substitute Pablo Hernandez was the catalyst as the Whites booked their place in the last 16, setting up Hadi Sacko for the opener, netting an injury-time penalty and hitting the target during the shoot-out for good measure.

Former Leeds favourite Chris Wood hit Burnley’s first equaliser, to silence jeers in the away end, and Robbie Brady added a fine free-kick, but it was Leeds’s day.

Thomas Christiansen, at Turf Moor on Tuesday night. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

Christiansen, who has brought calm optimism to a club too often lacking in both, hopes to have many more meetings against top-tier opposition.

“Before I came here I knew about Leeds, I’ve followed English football since I was a kid and I knew Leeds were a big team,” said Christiansen.

“They are a team who should be in the Premier League. This is what we are going to work on, day by day, one game at a time. We’ll do our best to achieve that this season.

“This was a tough game, 120 minutes of high intensity, and a very good opponent from the Premier League who have been doing well. But we came here with the intention to win and to pass to the next round.”

Kemar Roofe fires in a shot.
Burnley at Turf Moor.. Picture Bruce Rollinson — Kemar Roofe fires in a shot. Burnley at Turf Moor.. Picture Bruce Rollinson

Burnley: Pope; Bardsley, Long, Tarkowski, Taylor; Gudmundsson, Westwood, Hendrick (Cork 90), Arfield (Brady 72); Barnes, Vokes (Wood 72). Substitutes unused: Lowton, Mee, Defour, Legzdins.

Leeds United: Lonergan; Berardi, Shaughnessy, Ayling, Borthwick-Jackson (Sacko 60); Klich, Vieira; Roofe, Dallas, Cibicki (Hernandez 79); Grot (Lasogga 85). Substitutes unused: Wiedwald, Gomes, Alioski, Phillips.

Referee: D Bond (Lancashire).