Norwich City were relegated to the Championship on Wednesday evening despite securing a 4-2 comeback win over Watford at Carrow Road.
Alex Neil and his team needed Everton to beat relegation rivals Sunderland, but it was not to be as the Black Cats ran out 3-0 winners at the Stadium of Light.
Norwich managed to come from 1-0 down against the Hornets, but their triumph was not enough to keep the club in the top flight.
Discover how the game unfolded in Sports Mole's text commentary below.
6.44pmEvening everyone! It is all about the relegation battle tonight as both Norwich and Newcastle United could drop out of the Premier League, alongside Aston Villa, who fell into the Championship weeks ago. Both of their fates are in the hands of Sunderland, who will save themselves with a win over Everton this evening. Right here, we will be focusing on the clash between Norwich and Watford at Carrow Road, but will keep you updates with the goings on in the North East.
6.48pmThere does not seem to be much hope around Norwich given that they are four points off safety. They have two games left to play, but even a win tonight will not save them should Sunderland beat Everton at the Stadium of Light. Alex Neil and his men have lost their last four league games on the trot, so they need to find inspiration from somewhere!
6.50pmAs for Watford, this game is rather meaningless to them as they secured their Premier League safety weeks ago. They are currently 13th in the standings on 44 points ahead of the final weekend of fixtures. They can afford to relax, but the team have not been in the best form of late given that they have only won four of their last 18 league games.
6.50pmI'm sure you're all eagerly awaiting the team news. Luckily for you, we have the lineups right here!
6.51pmNORWICH XI: Ruddy; Pinto, Martin, Bennett, Olsson; Redmond, Dorrans, O'Neil, Hoolahan; Naismith, Mbokani
Subs: Rudd, Bassong, Jerome, Brady, Jarvis, Mulumbu, Odjidja
Subs: Rudd, Bassong, Jerome, Brady, Jarvis, Mulumbu, Odjidja
6.52pmWATFORD XI: Gomes; Nyom, Britos, Cathcart, Anya; Abdi, Suarez, Watson, Jurado; Deeney, Ighalo
Subs: Pantilimon, Prodl, Paredes, Ake, Guedioura, Berghuis, Amrabat
Subs: Pantilimon, Prodl, Paredes, Ake, Guedioura, Berghuis, Amrabat
6.54pmAlex Neil has made four changes to the Norwich side that lost to Manchester United last weekend. Ryan Bennett, Graham Dorrans, Steven Naismith and Dieumerci Mbokani have entered the fold, replacing Sebastian Bassong, Jonny Howson, who has been forced out injured, Robbie Brady and Cameron Jerome.
6.55pmSo, as usual, John Ruddy starts in goal, with Ivo Pinto, Russel Martin, Martin Olsson and Bennett lining the back four. Nathan Redmond, Gary O'Neil, Wes Hoolahan and Dorrans will sit in midfield, while Nasmith and Mbokani will lead the line for the Canaries.
6.59pmAs for Watford, manager Quique Flores has made just the one change to the team that lost to Liverpool last weekend. Allan Nyon replaces Sebastian Prodli, meaning that Craig Cathcart will revert to centre-back. So, Heurelho Gomes takes his place between the sticks, with Miguel Britos, Ikechi Anya Cathcart and Nyom in defence. Almen Abdi, Mario Suarez, Ben Watson and Jose Jurado will start in midfield, with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo providing attacking threat.
One change for #watfordfc at @NorwichCityFC. Nyom replaces Prödl, so Cathcart reverts to centre-back.
7.02pmVOTE! Before we go any further, we need your votes! We're giving you the chance to select your favourite players of the season. To take part, click here.
7.05pmRight, back to the game at hand! Norwich's Premier League future has looked dismal for weeks now. They have been on the losing end in their last four league games. Neil's team were dealt a blow against Crystal Palace on April 4 when Jason Puncheon scored the only goal of the game in the 68th minute. They had an important fixture against Sunderland in their following game, but they were punished in a 3-0 loss. Fabio Borini, Jermain Defoe and Duncan Watmore were the scorers on the day.
7.08pmNorwich headed into their next two games as underdogs as they took on Arsenal and Manchester United. Both were frustrating encounters for the Canaries as they were undone by a single goal in each. Danny Welbeck earned three points for Arsenal early in the second half, while Juan Mata got the winner for United at Carrow Road.
7.12pmThe defeat to United last weekend was particularly hard for Norwich to take as they had numerous chances to get on the scoresheet against a team that have struggled for consistency this season. The Canaries had only 38% of possession in the game, but they created eight shots. Only two of them were on target, but United also had just two shots that troubled John Ruddy.
7.15pmDID YOU KNOW? Norwich have not gone five Premier League games without scoring a goal since January 1993, but they might do tonight as they have not found the back of the net in their last four top-flight matches.
7.16pmAnother troubling statistic for Norwich is that they have only managed to win one of their last eight league games at Carrow Road having drawn two and lost five.
7.21pmThere has been some concern off the field as well, as chief executive David McNally confirmed earlier this week that he has stepped down from his position. He announced the news just 24 hours after he assured fans on Twitter that he was "fully committed" to the club. The change in the board may also affect Neil's future.
Earlier this week, he told reporters: "I'll certainly look at my contribution this season, look at my team individually in terms of their contribution and the bigger picture in terms of the club and what we've managed to do on the field and off the field. Recruitment is a part of that, a whole load of things needs analysing.
"I'll speak to the powers that be and the board but I don't think anything is ever off the table in football. At the end of the season I'll be judging how I've performed, how other people have performed and I'm pretty sure people will be judging me. That's normal in the Premier League."
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7.22pmClub chairman Ed Balls is keen to keep hold of Neil, though, as he recently described the Scotsman as "one of the best young managers in English football". Neil joined Norwich in January 2015 and guided the club back into the Premier League by winning the playoff final.
7.25pmSo, what about Watford? Well, many thought that the Hornets would be battling for survival at this stage of the season but they are safe as houses. Not only are they safe, they have had a positive campaign having made it into the FA Cup semi-finals. They failed to progress into the showpiece, but they were never predicted to get even that far!
7.27pmSince the turn of the year, though, Watford have had some disappointing results in the Premier League. Quique Flores's men have only managed to win four top-flight fixtures in 2016. They went on a four-game losing run in March and have struggled for consistency. The positive aspect, though, is that two of those wins have come in the last four games.
7.29pmThe victories came against West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa. The Hornets were 2-1 down against Villa at Vicarage Road on April 30, but they fought back to claim a 3-2 triumph on home soil. Their most recent league game ended in disappointment, though, as they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Anfield. Joe Allen and Roberto Firmino were the scorers.
7.34pmDespite Watford keen to end the campaign with wins under their belts, Flores has some sympathy for the teams battling relegation. After facing Norwich tonight, they will take on Sunderland, and Flores has claimed that his team will have to play the 'bad boys'.
He told reporters: "I don't like to play against Norwich and Sunderland because they are fighting against relegation and it's always very sad, but in this case we are the bad boy in the film. This is our role and we need to play it.
"It's important for us and it's good for us that we have the necessity to be competitive because I know we are expecting to play against a very tough team, because Norwich need the victory. For us it will be important to go to the pitch with the idea to play well, to think about how we can stop Norwich, to play football and to score goals.
"This is our idea because we need to be competitive and to show everyone that we respect the Premier League, so of course it is a serious match for us. Our responsibility is to win and to choose the best team. We need to be competitive, we need to respect the other team, and other teams don't need to have any doubts about us because we will use the best players we can."
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7.37pmAs you would have heard, questions still remain over the Spaniard's future at Vicarage Road. The club's owners have confirmed that they will make a decision regarding Flores's position at the end of the season. Yes, the team have struggled in 2016, but given that many tipped Watford to go right back down to the Championship at the end of the season, Flores has done well. He arrived at the club last summer having not had any experience of English football, yet the club are comfortably safe in the top flight. It is rather confusing to think that the club may consider sacking Flores, but then again, there are never any certainties in football nowadays!
7.38pmWatford actually released a statement today responding to reports in Italy that Walter Mazzarri is a contender to replace Flores.
It read: "The position on the head coach remains the same. We are extremely pleased with the work of Quique and his staff and all of the players this season.
"Every objective set has been achieved. However we still have two very important games to play. We have a meeting arranged immediately at the end of the season to discuss continuing the project together."
7.40pmSTATS! As mentioned, Watford are not having the best of times in terms of results at the moment and their away form adds to the misery. Flores's men have lost four of their last five Premier League games on the road. Also, they have only had eight different scorers in the top flight this season, which is fewer than any other club in the division.
7.42pmHEAD TO HEAD: Norwich suffered defeat at the hands of Watford earlier this season in December. The Canaries lost 2-0 and produced just one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes at Vicarage Road. In the last six visits to Carrow Road, Watford have won four and lost two.
7.43pmThe teams have made their way out of the tunnel and onto the pitch. Norwich could very well learn their Premier League fate by the end of this game. A nervy 90 minutes for the Canaries!
1 minKICKOFF! We're underway at Carrow Road! Roger East is the referee for this one. Remember, we'll keep you updated with what's happening in the game between Sunderland and Everton.
2 minNorwich win the first free kick of the game in a dangerous area after Britos brings down Redmond close to the right-hand touchline.
3 minRedmond takes the set piece and swings the ball into the area, but it is comfortably cleared by Suarez.
5 minAt the other end, Watford get a free kick, which is turned behind for a corner by Mbokani. The corner is taken short by the visitors before being sent into the box. The ball is easily caught by Ruddy.
7 minCHANCE! Deeney tries to give Watford an early lead when he unleashes a shot from 30 yards out. It troubles Ruddy for a moment, but the keeper manages to gather the ball.
9 minThere's some concern for Norwich as Redmond needs treatment from the medical staff after going to ground holding his leg after colliding with his own teammate O'Neil, but it looks as though the winger will be able to continue.
11 minGOAL! NORWICH 0-1 WATFORD (DEENEY)
11 minIt's bad news for Norwich! They are now on the brink of relegation as Deeney has put Watford ahead at Carrow Road. Remember, anything less than a win this evening will definitely send the Canaries back into the Championship. Deeney nabs his 12 goal of the season after side-footing the ball into the net. The forward pounces when Ruddy spills the ball after Deeney played Ighalo through on goal.
15 minGOAL! NORWICH 1-1 WATFORD (REDMOND)
15 minGame on! Redmond pulls a goal back for Norwich and they're alive again! Naismith and Redmond link up nicely in the build up before the latter pings a near-post shot past Gomes. The Canaries still need to win, but they will definitely have their tails up after that.
18 minGOAL! NORWICH 2-1 WATFORD (MBOKANI)
18 minOh my! What a crazy seven minutes! Norwich find themselves ahead! Redmond is involved again as he fires a shot from the edge of the box. The ball ends up hitting the post before rebounding towards Mbokani, who taps it in from close range. What a start to the game!
19 minSo, as it stands, Norwich are level on points with Newcastle United and are two points from safety. If it stays like this, the Canaries will have to win their final game away to Everton on Sunday.
20 minCHANCE! As expected, Norwich have their tails up and Redmond is at the centre of another attack. He aims from long range, trying to send the ball into the top right corner, but it drifts just wide of the post.
24 minMbokani requires some help after going to ground clutching his face following a clash with Britos. He gets seen to and is back on the pitch.
26 minSAVE! So close for Redmond! The winger hits the ball on the volley, but his attempt bounces off the post before Gomes tips the rebound over the bar. The home side are hunting for a third!
30 minNorwich are looking comfortable at the moment. They managed to turn things around in three minutes, but it will all be meaningless if Sunderland beat Everton. At the moment, it's goalless at the Stadium of Light.
32 minWatford show that they still have a threat to pose as Deeney tries to play Ighalo through on goal, but the Nigerian was just offside and the flag goes up.
33 minThe hosts get a corner thanks to some work from Olsson, but the visitors manage to clear the danger and keep Norwich out.
37 minGOAL! NORWICH 3-1 WATFORD (CATHCART OG)
37 minNorwich have a third and they get a bit of luck in the process! Nyom slips, allowing Hoolahan to get on the ball and cross it into the danger area. Cathcart cannot steer it away, though, and he ends up hitting it into his own net.
38 minUPDATE! The celebrations won't last long, though, as Sunderland have scored against Everton! Van Aanholt gets the goal meaning that Norwich and Newcastle will both be relegated this evening if it stays like this. It would be heartbreak for the Canaries as they have played very well tonight.
39 minUPDATE! Make that 2-0 to Sunderland! Kone gets on the scoresheet at the Stadium of Light. That news will soon be filtering through to Carrow Road.
43 minSAVE! Naismith gets through on goal from the left side of the box. The Scotsman aims for goal, but Gomes does well to make himself big and smother the shot.
44 minSAVE! Gomes makes another stop as the ball is whipped in from the corner flag. The Watford keeper manages to deny the home side a fourth goal.
45+2 minHALF-TIME: NORWICH 3-1 WATFORD
8.34pmThe referee blows for half-time and despite sealing a dramatic turnaround in three minutes, Norwich head into the dressing room deflated as they are on the brink of relegation. Alex Neil's side managed to come from 1-0 down to go 3-1 ahead in the first half, thanks to some influence from Nathan Redmond, but shortly after nabbing their third, it filtered through to Carrow Road that Sunderland were 2-0 up against Everton. Should the Black Cats maintain their lead, Norwich and Newcastle will be relegated.
46 minRESTART! We're back underway at Carrow Road for the second half! Unfortunately for Norwich, their fate is currently out of their hands because Sunderland are winning. Neil and his men will be hoping for a comeback from Everton!
48 minThere was a buzz around the stadium at the start of the game but it is understandably flat now. All Norwich can do it maintain their lead.
51 minGOAL! NORWICH 3-2 WATFORD (IGHALO)
51 minJust as we said that Norwich need to maintain their lead, they concede! Deeney storms into the final third and dribbles to the byline before pulling the ball back across the six-yard box. Ighalo is well placed to slot the ball home to score his 15th of the season.
52 minIt seems as though the visitors are trying to rub salt in the wound. They're making the most of Norwich's deflation.
53 minWATFORD SUB: The visitors make a change as Jurado makes way for Berghuis. This is the team's second substitution as Ake replaced Nyom at the break.
54 minUPDATE! I think Norwich need to be resigned to the fact that they are dropping back into the Championship as Sunderland have scored a third goal against Everton.
57 minGOAL! NORWICH 4-2 WATFORD (MBOKANI)
57 minDespite the disappointment of what's happening at the Stadium of Light, Norwich are responding on the pitch. Mbokani scores his second of the night after being played through on goal before hitting the ball past Gomes.
61 minWIDE! Anya shows quick feet by charging down the field before unleashing a strike, but the ball ends up curling past the post.
63 minHoolahan does well to beat Watson with a surging run, but his attempt at goal misses the target completely. It's Norwich's final home game of the season, but there's definitely not a party atmosphere.
67 minBOOKING! Watson receives a yellow card for bringing down Naismith. That's three bookings already tonight after Abdi and Bennett were cautioned.
70 minHoolahan tries to play in Naismith after spotting the Scotsman's run, but he kets himself down with the pass and Gomes comfortably comes off his line to collect the ball.
72 minWATFORD SUB: The Hornets make their final change of the game as Watson makes way for Guedioura.
72 minNORWICH SUB: The hosts also make a change as Brady comes on to replace Hoolahan.
74 minThe home side are dominating play and are searching for a fifth goal. All they can hope for now is a fine finish for their fans.
77 minPenalty? Nope! Norwich want one but the referee waves their claims away. Mbokani comes close to scoring his third of the night after turning in the box before thumping a strike, but its blocked by a hand. The referee does not think it's intentional, though.
78 minAnother penalty appeal! This time, Britos seems catch Naismith in the box, but once again the referee is not having any of it.
80 minNORWICH SUB: Redmond's played very well tonight, but it doesn't look like his performance will keep the Canaries up. He makes way for Jarvis.
81 minNORWICH SUB: It's the final change of the night for Norwich as Odjidja replaces Naismith.
82 minBOOKING! Ake gets cautioned from the referee following a poor lunge on Mbokani.
84 minBrady manages to get two quick crosses into the box - Suarez manages to clear the first one, while Gomes comes out to collect the second.
86 minBOOKING! He's only been on a few minutes but Odjidja has gone into the book for a reckless tackle Berghuis.
88 minWatford earn a free kick 25 yards out. Guedioura takes it, but the ball ends up soaring over the bar.
90 minWe're going to have four minutes of added time here!
90+2 minOdjidja tries to get on the scoresheet for Norwich by unleashing a shot from just out side the area, but he misses the target and the ball sails into the stands.
90+3 minDeeney picks up the ball from Ake's pass. The striker shoots first time, but Norwich manage to get a block on.
90+4 minFULL-TIME: NORWICH 4-2 WATFORD
9.41pmIt's bad news for Norwich as they drop into the Championship, despite beating Watford 4-2 at Carrow Road this evening. The Canaries came from 1-0 down to claim victory, but they needed Everton to beat Sunderland in order to push the relegation battle into the final weekend. It was not to be, though, as the Black Cats earned a 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light this evening. Norwich will join Newcastle United and Aston Villa in the Championship next season.
