Norwich clinch title despite defeat as West Brom crushed
City needed just a point to finish the season top of the table, but West Brom’s crushing defeat at Stoke ensured Nigel Worthington’s men surge into the Premiership as champions.
But it was a case of double celebration at the Stadium of Light as Carl Robinson scored the goal which ensured Sunderland’s place in the play-offs.
Sunderland required a draw to seal a top-six finish, but Robinson headed home Sean Thornton’s 44th-minute free-kick to end their run of five games without a win.
Norwich had their chances, hitting the woodwork twice, but Sunderland just shaded an encounter played in a carnival atmosphere in the second half as news filtered through of Stoke’s defeat of West Brom.
: Poom, McCartney, Breen, Babb, Bjorklund, Oster (Clark 88), Whitley, Robinson, Thornton, Stewart (Tommy Smith 80), Kyle.
: Green, Drury, Fleming, Mackay, Edworthy, Huckerby, Holt, Francis, Cooper (Mulryne 63), Svensson (Roberts 85), McKenzie (McVeigh 64).
: D Pugh (Merseyside).
KRIS COMMONS scored twice after the break as Premiership-bound West Brom were put to the sword at Stoke.
The Britannia Stadium’s announcer inadvertently credited Commons with team-mate Darel Russell’s first-half opener.
But there was no mistaking the scorer of Stoke’s second and third goals as a lacklustre West Brom, who had Scott Dobie to thank for their consolation, were utterly outclassed and consequently will finish as runners-up to Norwich.
Gifton Noel-Williams completed the rout with a headed fourth for City before Jason Koumas was dismissed for a petulant kick at Russell with only moments remaining.
It had been the visitors who made the early running with Stoke keeper Neil Cutler saving untidily at the far post after Darren Moore had risen highest to meet a corner floated in from the right by Jason Koumas.
: Cutler, Wilkinson, Owen, Hill (Williams 62), Halls, Russell, Henry, Svard (Neal 58), Clarke, Commons, Noel-Williams.
: Hoult, Haas, Moore, Gaardsoe, Gregan, Robinson, Kinsella (Clement 14), Koumas, Dyer, Dobie, Hughes (Sakiri 72).
: K Hill (Hertfordshire).
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