Norwich City have been officially promoted back to the Premier League, after results elsewhere in the championship left them an inaccessible lead at the top of the table.
Swansea City knew they had to beat the Wycombe Wanderers to keep the pressure on the Canary Islands, but they could only manage a 2-2 draw with the relegation-threatened side, leaving them 14 points between the leaders and four games left.
Pukki has been the key to Norwich’s success this season Stephen Pond / Getty Images
And the result was that Norwich’s promotion back to the Premier League was guaranteed before their late kick-off against Bournemouth, which sent Daniel Farke’s men back to the Promised Land the first time they asked.
Norwich have been the excellent team in the second tier of this campaign, collecting 90 points in 41 games, scoring 65 goals and conceding just 28 in the process.
They were able to hold on to the majority of their stars after being relegated from the Premier League last year, and like Teemu Pukki, Todd Cantwell and Emi Buendia have been crucial to their immediate return.
The decision to stick with Farke has proven to be a championship team as well, and the players have bounced back from last season’s disappointment to blitz to success.
Norwich City are back in the big time | Stephen Pond / Getty Images
The Canary Islands have only lost five times this year and have often seen a class over their opponents. They are eight points away from Watford in second place and could all but seal the title at the end of the game on Saturday.
There will be a carnival atmosphere on Carrow Road for the clash with Bournemouth, who have had many more difficulties during their first season back in the championship. The cherries are still in the middle of a playoff and had to change coaches during the campaign.
Norwich fans will be able to enjoy Saturday’s battle, confident in the knowledge that they will return to the Premier League next season.
