Norwich 2 Blackburn 1: Canaries seal glorious Prem return after three-year exile thanks to Vrancic thunderbolt and Stiepermann strike

NORWICH are back in the Premier League big time after this entertaining win finally got them over the line.

First-half goals from Marco Stiepermann and Emi Buendia put them in charge – although Lewis Travis’ 23rd-minute effort reduced the arrears.

It ended a stuttering run of four straight draws and means Canaries fans can start planning trips to Old Trafford, Anfield, the Etihad, White Hart Lane, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge.

Second-placed Sheffield United’s earlier win against Ipswich means the Championship title race will go right down to the wire.

Daniel Farke’s side need just a point at Aston Villa next Sunday to be sure of top spot. But if they lose – and the Blades win at Stoke – they will be pipped on goal difference.

But promotion is the big prize and it completed an incredible turnaround for German boss Farke, who was set to be sacked had Norwich not beaten Middlesbrough in September after a poor start.

CANARIES SOAR

Teemu Pukki’s 58th-minute winner sparked a brilliant run that saw the Canaries climb from 17th to the top.

Pukki, inevitably, picked up the club’s player of the season award before kick-off.

What a season he has had. His 28 Championship goals have fired Norwich back into the Premier League promise land.

The club really were cranking up the atmosphere as the teams came out.

All around the perimeter of the pitch powered flames were set off.

It was almost as though the club were celebrating too early.

They certainly did not show any nerves and started on the front foot – and Onel Hernandez was just wide with a shot on turn from 20 yards.

But the Canaries went ahead in the 13th minute when Hernandez’s shot was blocked and the ball fell only as far as Mario Vrancic. He teed up Stiepermann, who drilled home from the edge of the box.

Norwich then had a good shout for a penalty waved away by ref Andrew Madley when Pukki saw his shot hit the arm of Darragh Lenihan.

The fact the Rovers ace had his arm close to his body probably went in his favour.

Emi Buendia then saw a rasping effort flash wide from 20 yards.

Then a moment of controversy when Pukki, set to race clear, was cynically hacked by Lenihan.

There was no intent to play the ball yet Madley only showed him a yellow card.

Pukki showed he is human by missing sitter – but Norwich quickly doubled their lead in the 21st minute.

Vranic was given time and space by Rovers’ defence to hit a 25-yard screamer.

But Blackburn hit back two minutes later when Amari’I Bell squared the ball to Lewis Travis – and he squeezed the ball in the bottom right corner from 20 yards with their first shot.

Rovers keeper Jayson Luetwiler brilliantly kept out Stiepermann from point black range after Pukki’s dragback.

Blackburn should have levelled when Adam Armstrong played a beauty of a ball across goal but Dack and Danny Graham just failed to apply the finishing touch.

Buendia fired over after a nice dribble and then Hernandez saw a rasping inches wide.

After the break, the Argentine’s stunning overhead kick was denied by Luetwiler.

Hernandez crashed a shot against the bar and then Max Aarons wastefully blasted over from an angle.

The Canaries winger then really should have scored when one-on-one with Leutwiler but elected to square a pass rather than shoot and got it totally wrong.

Then Stiepermann saw a thunderous effort parried by Luetwieler.

Derrick Williams should have levelled but headed off target from Armstrong’s cross.

At the death, Jack Rothwell lashed an effort over.

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