Alex Neil and his team headed into the fixture knowing that a win for Sunderland over Everton would send Norwich back into the second tier of English football.

As it happened, the Black Cats earned a 3-0 triumph, sealing the fate of the Canaries and their North-East enemies Newcastle United.

Norwich City players look distraught as they contemplate having to face lowly Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship next season following their relegation from the Premier League © Getty Images

At Carrow Road, The visitors started brightly when Troy Deeney made himself known with a 30-yard strike, troubling goalkeeper John Ruddy, who made a save on his second attempt.

Deeney was involved again a few minutes later when he played Odion Ighalo through on goal, and after Ruddy fluffed his save, the English forward side-footed the ball into the back of the net to claim his 12th goal of the season.

Just four minutes later, Nathan Redmond, who was impressive throughout the game, pulled a goal back for the Canaries when his shot at the near post went beyond Heurelho Gomes.

'The Oggmonster' Nathan Redmond wheels away in premature celebration after levelling things up for Norwich City against Watford at Carow Road on May 11, 2016 © Getty Images

Alex Neil's side completed a dramatic turnaround by scoring a second goal in three minutes when Redmond's shot bounced off the post before falling into the path of Dieumerci Mbokani, who tapped the ball in from close range.

With a 2-1 lead, Norwich had their tails up and Redmond was involved again as he struck the ball from distance, but his effort grazed just wide of the post.

The winger came close again with a volley, but the ball ended up clattering off the post before getting tipped behind for a corner from Gomes.

Quique Flores's side still showed some threat in the first half, and Ighalo could have been free on goal had he not drifted inches offside when played through by Deeney.

However, they were hit with a third goal in the 37th minute when Wes Hoolahan made the most of Allan Nyom's slip by crossing the ball into the box, where Craig Cathcart steered it into his own net.

Carrow Road was rocking, but the atmosphere soon took a sullen tone when news filtered through that Sunderland had scored two quick goals against Everton at the Stadium of Light.

After the break, Sunderland continued to score, but so did Watford and Norwich - the visitors managed to grab a second when Deeney pulled the ball back across the six-yard box from the byline, and Ighalo latched on to slot home.

Despite the Canaries' fate being out of their hands, they continued to do a job on the pitch as Mbokani netted his second of the night by getting the ball past Gomes.

Norwich City striker Dieumerci 'no, thank you' Mbokani is chased by a rabid Miguel Britos after scoring against Watford on May 11, 2016 © Getty Images

Ikechi Anya tried to get Watford back in the game by surging down the pitch before letting one fly, but his shot curled past the post.

The hosts had two penalty claims denied - one was a handball off Mbokani's strike in the box and another was a foul on Steven Naismith by Miguel Britos, but referee Roger East waved away the claims.

Both sides created a handful of opportunities as the clock ticked down, but what would usually be seen as an exciting six-goal thriller ended in doom for Norwich, whose final Premier League game until at least 2017 will be away to Everton on Sunday.

Watford will wrap up their season against Sunderland at Vicarage Road.