Norwich have been relegated from the Premier League after a dismal 4-0 home loss to West Ham.
The Canaries went into the game knowing a defeat would seal their return to the Championship. Even a draw might not have been good enough as that was dependent on what Watford did at home to Newcastle.
But what followed was a thumping, as Michail Antonio scored ALL FOUR goals to condemn the Canaries to the dreaded drop.
It was the East Anglian side’s SEVENTH defeat on the bounce – the definition of relegation form. They are the only side in Europe’s top five leagues not to get a point from a game this season after going 1-0 down.
Their manager Daniel Farke had already accepted relegation before the visit of West Ham. Speaking after it had finally been confirmed, the German said: “I’m really disappointed for this and for all our supporters.
“We wanted to beat the odds again but when the dust settles the outcome is more or less what was expected. Our teamsheet had more or less the same players as last season, with some key players out. It doesn’t take anything aweay from the fact that we are disappointed. From the first day after promotion our chances to survive were perhaps 5 per cent so in 19 out of 20 cases you will go down. If you have luck and no injuries then you have a chance.
“When we are 100 per cent we are compeititve but when it’s 96 or 97 per cent then it sometimes looks like men against boys. That’s what I expected. I also expected it would be a tough season for many players, with criticism when we don’t perform. That’s quite normal and we were prepared.”
What happened at Carrow Road today showed exactly why they are simply not good enough to play Premier League football. West Ham have their own relegation worries, but their squad clearly has a lot more quality than Norwich’s. And the game saw Antonio finally show what he has in his locker as he fired four past a helpless Tim Krul in the home goal.
Photo Credit: Getty
