Norwich City have been relegated from the Premier League for a record sixth time after they lost at Aston Villa and fellow strugglers Burnley completed a late comeback to beat Watford.
Goals from Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings meant the Canaries were beaten 2-0 at Villa Park, but it had looked like Norwich would survive for another week when Watford were 1-0 up against Burnley.
However, two late strikes from Jack Cork and Josh Brownhill ensured the Clarets took all three points home from Vicarage Road to aid their own safety bid – sealing Norwich’s fate in the process.
It means Norwich are the first club in Premier League history to be relegated from the division on six separate occasions.
It was perhaps written in the stars that relegation would be confirmed at head coach Dean Smith’s former club, with the boyhood Villa fan having been sacked by the Villains earlier this season.
Norwich moved swiftly to give him an immediate return to the dugout after they dismissed Daniel Farke, but he failed to turn around their fortunes.
In truth, relegation had looked inevitable for much of the campaign, but they were finally put out of their misery at Villa Park after another typically tame defeat.
The introduction of Ings proved to be key, with the former Southampton striker setting up Watkins for the opener just before half-time, before then getting on the scoresheet himself in stoppage time to condemn Norwich to the drop.
Ironically, Norwich celebrated winning the Championship title on the same Villa Park pitch back in May 2019 but they will now to have to dust themselves down and try to mount yet another promotion bid next season.
With four matches still remaining, it’s also the earliest Norwich have ever been relegated – yet another sobering stat from a season everyone associated with the club can’t wait to end.
