Norwich City have beaten William Troost-Ekong’s Watford to the Championship title after a comfortable 4-1 victory over Reading on Saturday.
Already promoted to the Premier League at the first attempt, Norwich thumped Reading with a ruthless performance to be confirmed champions.
As it turned out, Watford’s 2-0 defeat at Brentford would have handed Norwich the title anyway but the Canaries took care of their own business in emphatic fashion to secure top spot with one game left.
Troost-Ekong was an unused substitute for Watford in the defeat to Brentford while Isaac Success replaced former Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverly on 31 minutes.
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Norwich recovered from an early setback to win, having trailed to a 12th minute goal from Josh Laurent.
But two goals from Kieran Dowell, a stunning free-kick from Xavier Quintilla and Teemu Pukki’s 26th strike of the season ensured two titles in three seasons for Daniel Farke’s side.
Meanwhile, things are looking bleak for Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney’s Derby County the other end of the table, with the Rams’ fears of dropping down to the third tier of English football for the first time in 35 years edging closer to reality.
Derby’s fight for safety going down to the final day of the season after Swansea came from behind to beat them 2-1.
Rooney’s side were on course to beat the drop at one point on Saturday afternoon, as Tom Lawrence’s header at the start of the second half gave them the advantage in Wales.
But a quickfire comeback sparked from the Swans condemned Rooney to a sixth successive defeat, with two goals in a three minute period from Derby academy product Morgan Whittaker and Connor Roberts.
Safety is still in Derby’s hands, but they are hovering dangerously close to the bottom three ahead of next weekend’s final fixtures.
They are currently three points above the relegation zone in sit 21st place, but will be in the relegation zone if 22nd-place Rotherham win their mid-week game in hand against Luton.
Derby could find themselves relegated to League One if results don’t go their way on what is sure to be a dramatic final day next weekend.
