Norwich was relegated after one season back in the English Premier League despite a 4-2 victory over Watford on Wednesday.
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But it was too little, too late.
But Sunderland’s win ended last season’s Championship play-off winners’ one-year stay in the top flight – with some of their supporters looking on the bright side as they chanted: “Ipswich Town, we’re coming for you”.
However, it has been extremely tough for Norwich as they have lost their last four league games.
Meanwhile, Watford have been a revelation this season with some excellent performances, and they fully deserve a mid-table finish, although that hasn’t stopped speculation on the future of boss Quique Sanchez Flores.
51′ GOAL! Norwich 3 Watford 2 Ighalo’s been involved in everything for Watford in this second half, and he finally breaks his goal drought.
The lead lasted four minutes as Redmond set about showing he is top-flight class.
Next Redmond fired wide from the edge of the area and soon after he jinked inside and prodded the ball against the post.
The home side piled forward and the inspired Redmond hit the post shortly before Gomes saved brilliantly from Martin Olsson’s long-range effort. The home side’s third goal summed up the visitors’ deterioration, as Allan Nyom slipped while attempting to intercept a pass, allowing Hoolahan to send in a low cross that Craig Cathcart diverted into his own goal.
“We have created chances but just haven’t taken them while Watford have two strikers who have probably scored about 70 percent of their goals”.
The Norwich players were made aware of their predicament, too, when Watford’s fans sang of the score at the Stadium of Light.
Odion Ighalo notched Watford’s second but the news had long since seeped through from Wearside.
News that Sunderland had beaten Everton 3-0 meant that the Canaries, and Newcastle, can not now climb out of the bottom three regardless of what happens on Sunday’s final round of fixtures.
Having dominated the first quarter of an hour, Watford then failed to cope with some neat Norwich link-up play and Redmond played a one-two with Steven Naismith before beating Heurelho Gomes at the near post to level the match.
“The story for us is that as a club, we have dropped short for a variety of reasons”. But there was to be no recovery for Norwich.
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The Hornets were struggling to live with Norwich’s pace and intensity which nearly resulted in another goal. A fine display from a man who will surely be in demand this summer. We have to defend well but also attack well. Subs: Rudd, Bassong, Jerome, Brady 7, Jarvis 7, Mulumbu, Odjidja 7. In came Dorrans, Bennett, Mbokani and Naismith. The more positive approach reaped rewards for Norwich.
