In the end it was results elsewhere that confirmed the inevitable and got Norwich's promotion party started before Bournemouth produced a comeback win to stop them celebrating in style.
Norwich's immediate return to the Premier League was instead rubber stamped thanks to the failings of their nearest challengers.But few would begrudge Daniel Farke's players being able to sit back, relax and watch things fall into place at the crucial moment.
After training in the morning and having lunch at the training ground they were together in the team hotel watching their nearest rivals falter and the results that sealed their promotion come in.