WONDERFUL celebration scenes followed City's last match of their title-winning Coca-Cola League One campaign despite a surprise 2-0 home defeat by Carlisle United.
First-half goals by Gary Madine and Jason Price ensured the Cumbrians ended their season on a high - but Canary disappointment was brief as the whole stadium became a cheering sea of yellow and green as skipper Grant Holt hoisted the League One trophy aloft after the game.
Before the match the whole ground gave a standing ovation to Anglian Home Improvements Player of the Season Holt, with Fraser Forster finishing as runner-up and Gary Doherty taking third.
City boss Paul Lambert made five changes to the team which started in last weekend's 3-0 win at Bristol Rovers, with Russell Martin, Jens Berthel Askou, Korey Smith, Darel Russell and Wes Hoolahan all coming into the side.
Carlisle temporarily silenced the Carrow Road party by taking a shock lead after just 56 seconds, Madine drilling home low into the corner from just inside the area with an excellent finish.
And they sent their faithful fans who had made the massive trek to Norfolk from Cumbria into ecstacy as they doubled their lead six minutes later. Ian Harte's free-kick from the right caught the Norwich defence napping and appeared to go straight in, although Jason Price indicated it had brushed his afro on the way during the visitors' goal celebrations.
The Canaries rallied and should have pulled one back on 12 minutes as Korey Smith rounded the 'keeper after running on to Chris Martin's excellent pass, but his underhit shot was cleared off the line.
Gary Doherty's cheeky backheel was palmed away by United 'keeper Adam Collin and he was called into action again later in the half when Chris Martin headed straight at him from seven yards out.
At the start of the second half Darel Russell was inches away from reducing the deficit as his fierce first-time drive was deflected a whisker wide of the post with Collin beaten.
In the 69th minute Russell Martin's cross found Wes Hoolahan and after a bit of ball juggling in the box he tried his luck with an audacious overhead kick which fell wide of the near post.
Lambert made his first change as Stephen Hughes came on for Lappin in the 70th minute. Two minutes later, after Chris Martin had fired a 20-yard free-kick well over the bar, on came Anthony McNamee for Oli Johnson.
McNamee had half a chance as the game moved into the 84th minute, but curled his shot straight into the arms of Collin from 22 yards.
With two minutes of normal time remaining Declan Rudd was brought on to give Fraser Forster the chance to leave the pitch to a massive ovation and chants of 'Fraser Forster, one more year' from the Barclay and Snakepit in what could be his final game for the Canaries.
After the match Lambert emerged for his media interviews absolutely soaked - and asked if he had been given the same treatment dished out to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp earlier in the week he commented: "Yes very similar - and Matt Gill will be docked a couple of weeks' wages for his part in it!
"But it was great because they deserve it and they've been brilliant for me all season. It's been a big, big effort what they have done considering what happened at the beginning and to win the league the way we did has been a great achievement.
"It was always going to be a bit difficult for us today because of the party atmosphere, everyone was loving it and so they should. I'm sure the city of Norwich will be a great place to be tonight, I hope so, because those supporters really deserve it."
Asked about the decision to take off Forster to allow the Geordie stopper to receive a huge ovation, Lambert said: "I just thought he deserved it because he's been magnificent for us this year. The crowd love him here and he's been brilliant for me. We'll talk to Newcastle - don't forget he is their player - but we'll just have to wait and see."
