Burnley went into the match knowing their fate was in their own hands and a victory in front of a sold out home crowd at Turf Moor would seal their destiny.
Strikes from Ashley Barnes and on-loan winger Michael Kightley were enough to clinch all three points and send the fans into Premier League delerium.
“It’s an amazing day and one that will certainly go down in the history books for this football club,” coach Sean Dyche says.
“There were a few outside challenges in terms of people wondering whether we could last the distance – but we stayed focused on winning football matches.
“That is a massive credit to my players and staff and to the fans as well.”
While Howieson wasn’t involved in that historic victory, his future at the club seems assured for another year after he signed a one-year contract with the club in early April.
Since joining Burnley in 2011 Howieson has been making a slow but steady mark on the club’s history book.
His first season saw him help the youth team reach the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup, where he was rewarded with a two-year professional deal and made two first-team appearances as a substitute in the closing of the 2011/12 campaign.
Howieson then won a first call-up and cap with the senior New Zealand squad, making his debut in a friendly against El Salvador in Houston, USA in May 2012.
In doing so, Howieson became Burnley’s youngest ever international at 17 years and 153 days. He followed this up by becoming the second ever Olympian after making his debut at the London 2012 games in July.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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