Norwich Earn Premier League Promotion

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 stalemate 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.

Farke revealed that his players were following the matches from their hotel rooms but they did not expect to secure promotion without having to kick a ball themselves.

"It's a bit surreal when you're promoted a few hours before kick off," the delighted German coach told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday's home match against Bournemouth. "You want to concentrate on the game but nevertheless it's a great feeling.

"It's a proud moment for the club and for us as a group. The lads have done a fantastic job. It's such an important target and a difficult one to achieve. Then you also think of the hard work you put in," he added before their game at Carrow Road.

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. (Reuters)