Charlton Athletic 4-2 Norwich City

Norwich joined Charlton in League One after crashing to a 4-2 defeat. 
A win and Barnsley losing at Plymouth would have kept the Canaries up but they were three down within 30 minutes. 
Nick Bailey headed Charlton ahead, Deon Burton tapped in a rebound and diverted home Bailey's cross, before Alan Lee nodded one back late in stoppage time. 
Burton completed his hat-trick, Sammy Clingan fired a free-kick for 4-2, but Norwich slipped into the third league tier for the first time since 1960. 
These two sides were playing in the top flight only four years ago. 
Norwich were top of the table for much of the Premier League's first season in 1992-93 and beat Bayern Munich away the following term. 
They would have been hopeful of a dramatic escape against a Charlton side already relegated and condemned to the third tier for the the first time since 1981, who had won only four of 30 games under Phil Parkinson.

Charlton manager Phil Parkinson: 
"If I'm not here next season I'll walk away with my head held high. 
"The club has had a lot of instability. If the board, or any new owners, want to start again I think that will be a big risk." 

Norwich boss Bryan Gunn told BBC Radio Norfolk: 
"Over the course of 90 minutes, I feel very let down. 
"I didn't expect that level of performance from the players on such an important day, performances like that are the reason we've been relegated. 
"I've told the players to go away and look at themselves in the mirror, the ones that want to be at this club next season will hopefully come and knock on my door, look me in the eye and say they want to play in League One next season. 
"I want the job even more now because it's my fault we've been relegated, I'm big enough as a person to take that on my shoulders, hopefully I'll be given the chance to move the club forward." 

Charlton: Elliot, Butterfield, Hudson, Ward (Solly 14), Youga, Sam (Tuna 83), Zhi (Wagstaff 71), Racon, Bailey, Shelvey, Burton.
Subs Not Used: Randolph, Kandol. 
Booked: Shelvey, Youga. 
Goals: Bailey 9, Burton 25, 30, 51. 

Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Leijer (McDonald 40), Shackell, Smith, Russell, Clingan, Lappin, Lee, Mooney.
Subs Not Used: Nelson, Cureton, Carney, Gow. 
Booked: Lappin, Shackell. 
Goals: Lee 45, Clingan 61. 

Att: 22,020 
Ref: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire).
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Norwich 0-2 Reading

Shane Long's double kept Reading's faint hopes of automatic promotion alive - while leaving Norwich in deep trouble at the wrong end of the table. 
After a goalless first half, Jimmy Kebe crossed for Long to nod past Canaries keeper David Marshall at the far post. 
And the same pair combined again as Long headed a second from close range. 

It means Plymouth and Nottingham Forest are safe from relegation - with Norwich needing to win and hope Barnsley lose on the final day in order to stay up. 
The Royals, now assured of a play-off place, need to beat Birmingham City at the Madejski Stadium - and hope Sheffield United fail to win - to pip second-placed Birmingham to the second automatic promotion spot.

Norwich nearly fell behind early on when Marshall struggled to deal with a back-pass, and the lively Long charged down his clearance. 
Kebe had an effort blocked by Canaries defender Jason Shackell, while Alan Gow shot just wide for the home side just after the break. 
But Republic of Ireland international Long broke the deadlock with 21 minutes left when Kebe advanced down the left, beat Jon Otsemobor with a stepover and sent over a teasing cross for Long to force in from three yards. 
When Kebe and Long linked up again 10 minutes later, there was no way back for Bryan Gunn's side. 

Norwich manager Bryan Gunn: 
"We have to believe a miracle can happen. We hope Plymouth put on a performance against Barnsley in front of their own fans. 
"We need lady luck to smile on us. But we have to do our own job first and focus on that for four or five days. 
"The spirit was there for all to see but we didn't create too many openings. We have to face up to it but there is still a chance. I will lift the players and get them fresh, fit and focused for what will be a difficult day." 

Reading manager Steve Coppell: 
"It's gratifying for Shane Long to start and deliver. 
"He has been on the periphery for so long that you would expect him to have made the step up by now and he is conscious of that. 
"But it was a real strong performance from him and he did really well for both of his goals." 


Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell (Leijer 79), Doherty, Bertrand, Gow, Clingan, Russell, Carney (Daley 74), Lee, McDonald.
Subs Not Used: Nelson, Cureton, Lappin. 
Booked: Lee. 
Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Bikey, Duberry, Harding, Cisse (Matejovsky 62), Karacan, Kebe, Little (Stephen Hunt 41), Kitson (Pearce 89), Long.
Subs Not Used: Federici, Doyle. 
Booked: Rosenior, Cisse, Matejovsky. 
Goals: Long 68, 78. 

Att: 25,041 
Ref: Clive Oliver (Northumberland).

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Success! (What about Monday?)

That's what I needed. All three picks passed. Spanish and French sides played attacking games, while exhausted Boca didn't have a chance against motivated Rosario.  Sometimes everything looks so easy. 

Today we'll have three second league clashes. In Germany, Osnabruck and Hansa will fight to avoid relegation. I think Hansa is closer to achieve it, but won't bet. As I won't for French game. Racing Strasbourg against Metz, fourth against the third. For me, the most interesting will be in Championship game. So...

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Norwich City - Reading

This is the last chance for Canaries. They're the first under the line, with three points less than Barnsley, four than Nottingham Forest and five then Plymouth Argyle. With three points will be very close to stay in Championship, otherwise will have to beat Charlton away and to hope Barnsley will loose against Plymouth (Norwich has better mutual score with Barnsley). With a point, they'll include Forest into calculation, but Forest will host relegated Saints and they look safe. There is no doubt, this is a game of the season for Norwich who doesn't look in so good shape. Two defeats from last three games. Striker David Mooney, on loan from Reading, is ineligible so Cody McDonald could make his first start. Excellent winger Lee Croft is in doubt (will play, I guess), while defender Dejan Stefanović, midfielder Wes Hoolahan and strikerCarl Cort are long time injured. Full Carrow Road will try to help the lads to reach the golden victory. But the biggest problem will be second half of the pitch where will be one of the best league teams.

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With a victory in Birmingham, Preston made a complete mess on the top. Birmingham, Sheff.Utd and Reading are now the contenders for a place number two (80 points, 79 and 74). Royals have a simple calculation. Win tonight and win at Sunday against Birmingham at home (have a better mutual score) and to hope Sheff.Utd. will lose in London against C.Palace. But, beauty of the situation is Reading can loose even a play-off spot, with two possible defeats! Preston is now just three points below (have a better mutual score than Reading) and will host QPR. Too much numbers and solutions, but it is for sure Steve Coppell's lads will go for a win tonight. Considering the names, they're the most quality squad in a league. Not so good run of results, with too many draws put them in this position. But, in the last round they overplayed Derby on the road (2-0), with two goals scored and two cancelled. Big blow is injury of striker Noel Hunt who suffered a fracture to his ankle against Barnsley. Full-back Chris Armstrong returns following his recovery from a knee injury, while striker Kevin Doyle is also set to come back.

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Really big game is tonight. Before a Birm.-Pres. game I planned to put my money on Canaries. Now I can't imagine which side has an advantage. Opposite motives, League One against Premier. Biggest fears against biggest ambitions. Full crowd against the quality. No one will be satisfied with a draw. Just a victory gives a faith. I expect another open game and again will bet on goals. Expekt offers 2.oo and I accept. Over.

Norwich City - Sheffield Wednesday

Norwich City is one of the clubs that fight against relegation, 20th place, two points above the line. Their current run of results give them a reasonable faith for that. In the last three games they got seven points. Home wins against play-off contender Cardiff 2-0, against rival candidate Plymouth Argyle 1-0 and great achievement on the road, 1-1 in Birmingham. Canaries have a good position before the last six round, they have enough quality to avoid relegation and after a point a St.Andrews, self confidence is on the highest level. Striker Carl Cort had a foot surgery and won't play at the rest of season, winger Lee Croft has recovered and will be contender for the first eleven.

Wednesday holds the place in the middle and they look relaxed with no interest in season finish. They have no win in last five games, with three draws in a row (Watford 1-1 and Preston 2-2 away and Swansea 0-0 at home). Against Swans they displayed very solid performance with Marcus Tudgay in charge. But, the biggest question is luck of motivation in the next games, although many times they played best when nobody seriously counted on them. Little used striker Akpo Sodje is injured, while winger Etienne Esajas is finally recovered. Loaned Derby striker Luke Varney made his good debut.

Home pitch and full crowd, beside much bigger motivation make from this game a pick of the day. I expect clear home win and just because Wednesday few times made me feel bad and their mutual games (Canaries haven't won since 09.11.2002), I'll limit my stake. Visitors will play offensive, second bet is over. For me unknown bookie Boylesports offers 2.25 for home win, while 888 offers 2.20 for home win and same odd for over. I'll take both! Home win and over.