Norwich seal promotion to Premier League with win over Blackburn

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 Norwich City celebrate promotion to the premier league after winning the match Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt

(Reuters) - Norwich City sealed promotion to the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Saturday, while Sheffield United are on the brink of joining them after a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.

Norwich needed just a point to be sure of a return to the English top flight after a three-year absence, but goals from Marco Stiepermann and Mario Vrancic were enough to secure all three, sending Norwich back to the top of the standings.

Norwich are nine points clear of Leeds United -- who have two games left to play -- in third, while Sheffield United are six clear of Leeds after goals from Scott Hogan and Jack O'Connell helped them secure a third successive win.

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 A Norwich City fan displays a banner Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt

Sheffield United's far superior goal difference to Leeds' (13) means it would take a monumental turnaround to deny them a return to the Premier League after 12 years.

"It's hard to find the right words," Norwich forward Stiepermann told Sky Sports. "The lads have been outstanding this season - we've had such a great spirit and such a great bond in the team.

"It feels completely unreal, it's a dream come true and I just feel so happy for the players because they all deserve it."

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 Norwich City's Ben Godfrey and team mates celebrate promotion to the premier league after winning the match Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt

Sheffield United can still win the league as they trail Norwich by three points, and manager Chris Wilder insists his side are targeting the title, not just promotion.

"There's still a game to play, and we're going to go a try and win the Championship," Wilder said. "It's not finished yet.

"This has possibly been the longest week of my life. It's been a bit surreal, one defeat in 13 and an unbelievable run since Christmas."

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 Norwich City's Mario Vrancic celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt

(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 Norwich City's Mario Vrancic scores their second goal Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 Norwich City's Mario Vrancic celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 Norwich City's Onel Hernandez in action with Blackburn's Elliott Bennett Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 Norwich City manager Daniel Farke Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 Norwich City's Emiliano Buendia celebrates promotion to the premier league with Teemu Pukki after winning the match Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt

Soccer Football - Championship - Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers - Carrow Road, Norwich, Britain - April 27, 2019 A Norwich City fan reacts during the match Action Images via Reuters/Adam Holt