Norwich clinched the Nationwide Division One title despite seeing their seven-match winning run end in a below-par display at Sunderland.

City needed just a point to finish the season top of the table, but West Brom's crushing defeat at Stoke ensured Nigel Worthington's men surge into the Barclaycard Premiership as champions.

But it was a case of double celebration at the Stadium of Light as Carl Robinson scored the goal which ensured Sunderland's place in the play-offs.

The Black Cats required just a draw to seal a top-six finish, but Robinson headed home Sean Thornton's 44th-minute free-kick to end their run of five games without a win.

Norwich had their chances, hitting the woodwork twice, but the Black Cats just shaded an encounter played in a carnival atmosphere in the second half as news filtered through of the Baggies' defeat.

City made a blistering start and could have been two goals to the good inside the first couple of minutes.

Craig Fleming headed Kevin Cooper's inswinging corner just wide of the target, but City - unchanged from the side that beat Preston - went even closer moments later.

Darren Huckerby supplied a great cross to the far post only for Leon McKenzie to send his powerful header crashing against the post.

The Black Cats went close to breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute when Robert Green tipped over Thornton's free-kick.

Sunderland were starting to get on top of their promoted rivals as George McCartney delivered a great cross only for Marcus Stewart to head just wide of the upright.

Midway through the half, City striker Mathias Svensson nearly sent the 2,500 visiting fans into raptures with a delightful strike from 25 yards which curled inches wide of the post.

Although clear-cut chances were few and far between, it was the home side who were looking the most likely to open the scoring.

And it was the impressive Thornton, recalled at the expense of Tommy Smith, that sent in a cross which Kevin Kyle dragged across the face of the goal.

Marcus Stewart then sent a glancing header just wide of the near post and moments later sent Kyle clear, but City keeper Green rushed off his line and the Sunderland striker dragged his shot wide.

Sunderland nearly went ahead just before the break as Gary Breen rose highest to head Thornton's corner towards goal, but Marc Edworthy cleared off the line.

Both sides looked to be satisfied with parity at the break, but on-loan Portsmouth midfielder Robinson struck to give Mick McCarthy's side a deserved half-time lead.

Chances were scarcer in the second half although Fleming made a crucial block to keep out McCartney's shot from close range and from Thornton's corner Babb fired wide at the far post.

Norwich went close to levelling just past the hour only for Huckerby's goalbound effort to take a deflection off Breen.

That prompted Worthington to introduce Paul McVeigh and Phil Mulryne for McKenzie and Cooper, who had an unsuccessful loan spell with the Black Cats from Wolves earlier in the season.

The change nearly paid instant dividends as Northern Ireland international Mulryne beat Mart Poom with a shot which just flashed past the far post.

News started to filter through that second-placed West Brom were losing heavily at the Britannia Stadium and the party atmosphere sparked City into trying to grab an equaliser.

But the Canaries were once again thwarted by the woodwork in the 68th minute as Huckerby's deflected shot struck the crossbar.

Svensson tried his luck as the game reached its climax, but he missed the target in a good position.

Iwan Roberts, who will end his seven-year association with the Canaries at the end of the season, came on to a rapturous reception from the City fans five minutes from time to join the celebrations.

Teams

Stoke: Cutler, Wilkinson, Owen, Hill (Williams 62), Halls, Russell, Henry, Svard (Neal 58), Clarke, Commons, Noel-Williams.

Subs Not Used: Palmer, Gunnarsson, Denny.

Booked: Clarke.

Goals: Russell 45, Commons 62, 73, Noel-Williams 86.

West Brom: Hoult, Haas, Moore, Gaardsoe, Gregan, Robinson, Kinsella (Clement 14), Koumas, Dyer, Dobie, Hughes (Sakiri 72).

Subs Not Used: Murphy, Chambers, O'Connor.

Sent Off: Koumas (88).

Booked: Hughes.

Goals: Dobie 50.

Att: 18,352

Ref: K Hill (Hertfordshire).