Norwich City clinch promotion to Premier League after rivals stumble

Return to top flight has been worth at least $221 million in previous seasons

DERBY, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Kieran Dowell of Norwich City  celebrates with Emi Buendia after scoring their team's first goal  during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Norwich City at Pride Park Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Derby, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors.  (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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Norwich City clinched promotion to the Premier League with five games to spare on Saturday after rivals Brentford and Swansea City failed to win their Championship matches, guaranteeing Daniel Farke's leaders one of the automatic promotion places.

Norwich sealed an immediate return to the top flight – which has been worth at least 160 million pounds ($221.3 million) in previous seasons – having finished bottom of the Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign.

Brentford played out a 0-0 draw with visitors Millwall, while Swansea fought back from two goals down to claim a point in a 2-2 home draw against basement side Wycombe Wanderers.

Norwich have enjoyed an outstanding season and sit at the top of the second-tier standings with 90 points from 41 matches.

While most sides relegated from the top flight make wholesale changes in the following campaign, Norwich trusted Farke and the core squad that took them up in 2018/19.

A Norwich City fan celebrates outside Carrow Road after they were promoted to the Premier League. Picture date: Saturday April 17, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Norwich. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire. 

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A Norwich City fan celebrates outside Carrow Road after they were promoted to the Premier League. PA

After picking up four points from their opening four games, Norwich made steady progress to move top of the table with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in November and never looked back.

Their Finand striker Teemu Pukki has rediscovered his form to shoulder the scoring burden this season, recording 25 goals and three assists in 37 league appearances.