Canaries clinch promotion

That’s it from me this evening, enjoy your celebrations Norwich fans! Thanks for tuning in.

The Canaries players and fans go wild after Jackson fires them into the top-flight! Great scenes at Fratton Park.

They have! Norwich are promoted to the Premier League!!

90+3 There’s a last-gasp chance for Pompey as Halford launches in another throw, but Whitbread clears. Surely the visitors have done enough now?

90+2 The flag goes up on Lansbury as he gets forward for Norwich. Just 60 more seconds for the Canaries to hold on..

90+2 Hogg brings down Holt on the right wing and the Canaries win a free-kick, which they’re in no hurry to take.

90+1 The Yellows are desperately defending as Pompey get forward in these dying stages. Three extra minutes are added.

90 There’s a chance for Webber, but the angle is tight for the Pompey man as he chases the ball and it goes behind. The seconds are ticking down…

89 Elliott Ward does well not to panic under pressure from Nugent and wins a Norwich throw in their own end. Lansbury gets forward for the visitors on the counter but is dealt with by Mokoena.

88 It is agonisingly close for Norwich as they hover on the brink of promotion. Less than three minutes of regular time to go and the visitors are on the ball in their own half.

87 Surman comes off as the Yellows make another change, with Simon Lappin replacing him.

86 Hreidarsson and Webber both fail to get under the kick and the danger is diffused by the Canaries defence. Some Norwich fans look sick with nerves in the stands!

85 Portsmouth earn a free-kick of their own from long range after Whitbreak commits a foul. Lawrence lines up to take it.

85 Kanu goes off for Danny Webber as Pompey make their final swap.

84 Cotterill and Lansbury collide down the left of the Norwich half and the advantage goes the visitors’ way for a free-kick.

83 Kanu and Hogg patiently try to work their way forward in the Norwich half. It’s nervous times for the Canaries as Lawrence tries a shot but it’s overhit by the Pompey man.

82 The Canaries win a throw inside their own half, which Tierney takes, but Hreidarsson is there to clear.

82 Pompey make another swap as Joel Ward goes off for David Cotterill.

81 Lansbury picks out Holt in the Pompey half, who finds Jackson down the left, but the striker is called offside.

80 ‘Going up-up-up’ is the chant from the Canaries fans now as they start to believe. Barely 10 minutes left and if they can hang on then promotion is theirs.

79 Nothing comes of the free-kick, taken by Lawrence, and the ball goes back to Ruddy, who hoofs it up the pitch.

78 Fox comes off for Henri Lansbury as Norwich make their first swap of the evening.

78 Kanu is fouled by Whitbread as the Canaries give away a cheap free-kick.

77 Portsmouth win a throw, which Halford takes from the right of the Norwich half. It falls to Martin to make the clearance, and he picks out Jackson down the left. Good break from the visitors.

76 Just under 15 minutes between Norwich and promotion as it stands. Another goal would ease the pressure but Portsmouth look in no mood to concede a second.

75 Halford puts in a good delivery after his throw is returned to him but Whitbread is there with the clearance. Surman finds Jackson down the right as the Canaries mount another attack.

74 Halford deals with the corner kick and Mullins gets away from Surman as Pompey enjoy some possession. Martin heads the ball out for a Portsmouth throw in the Norwich end.

73 Holt turns in a ball for Jackson down the left but the Pompey backline deal with it. Jackson gets forward again soon after and De Laet is forced to make a clearance for a Canaries corner.

72 Holt chases down Ashdown who is forced to make a quick clearance. Norwich come straight back as Jackson gets away from Hreidarsson but there are plenty other Pompey defenders around to intervene.

71 Mokoena is forced to throw himself in the way of Holt in the area as the Canaries man looks threatening. The Pompey man has done some admirable defending this evening.

70 There’s a bit of a mix up as Hreidarsson and J.Ward collide, allowing Norwich to get back on the ball. Ruddy hoofs the ball back into the home side’s end.

69 Holt is challenged by De Laet in the Pompey end but nothing is given by the ref as the home side win back the ball.

68 Liam Lawrence comes on for Carl Dickinson as Pompey make their first change.

68 J.Ward puts Hoolahan off his stride as he storms towards the Pompey box and the hosts are able to regain possession. De Laet gives away a free-kick for a challenge on Surman soon after.

67 Martin is looking for a way through down the right but Dickinson keeps him out of the box. Surman blasts a shot goalwards seconds later and Mokoena makes a crucial block to deflect it wide.

66 Ashdown does well to leap and snatch the corner kick to safety before Norwich can do anymore damage. Nugent makes a run on the counter attack but knocks the ball out while battling Martin for a Canaries goal-kick.

65 Surman lifts the kick in towards Jackson but overshoots his target. In the aftermath the striker picks up a corner for the visitors.

64 Halford fouls Martin down the right after a prolonged battle between the two. It’s a Canaries free-kick.

63 Kanu slides the ball through for Joel Ward and Ruddy is forced to charge out and make a diving save. The Canaries fans appear to have been quietened by nerves in the stands.

62 Fox knocks the ball out for another Pompey throw in the visitors’ half. Tierney is there with the headed clearance and Kanu is called offside when he tries to get forward again.

61 Halford takes yet another throw but he oversteps the line and the ball goes to Norwich. Both sides battle for possession in midfield.

60 Tierney makes a break for Norwich down the left, evading De Laet, but some great defending from Halford just prevents him from finding Jackson in the six-yard box.

59 Hriedarsson takes a Pompey throw-in in their own half and De Laet lofts the ball upfield, but it can only find Whitbread.

58 The Canaries are looking slightly panicky as Pompey push for the equaliser. This could be an extremely tense 30 minutes.

57 Portsmouth win a throw-in, which could be bad news for the Canaries. It’s another solid effort and results in a Nugent shot, deflected by Kanu, which Ruddy just manages to deal with.

56 Ruddy does well under pressure from Dickinson as he makes a crucial block. Hogg takes a shot soon after and E.Ward is there with the clearance again.

55 It’s now Portsmouth’s turn to look dangerous as they apply pressure in the Norwich end. Seconds later the tables have turned again as Martin breaks on the counter attack and forces Ashdown to make a stretching save.

54 The hosts regain possession in the Norwich half. Dickinson has a go from long range but Elliott Ward gets his head to the shot and clears.

53 Norwich came out with all guns blazing after the break and that goal was no surprise. The visitors are still on the ball after Mokoena gives it away in the Pompey half.

52 The Norwich fans are going crazy but Lambert is keeping his composure on the touchline – there’s still around 40 minutes to go after all!

51 Fox floats in a superb cross for Jackson in the area and the striker makes no mistakes with a diving header for the opener, planting it decisively in the back of the net. The Canaries are within touching distance of promotion!

50 GOAL! JACKSON FOR NORWICH! 1-0!

50 Jackson storms down the left once again and De Laet shows good pace to keep him in check and dissolve the threat. Good work from the Portsmouth right-back there.

49 The ball goes behind for an Ashdown goal-kick to ease the heat on Pompey but Norwich quickly regain possession.

48 Early pressure from the visitors in this half as they state their intent. They are pressing steadily in the Pompey half as Halford is forced to clear twice in quick succession.

47 Jackson makes a solid run down the left but can’t quite get the ball under control and he drags his awkward shot of his weaker left foot wide.

47 The Canaries win an early throw, which Tierney lines up to take. Ashdown comes out to punch it clear and takes what looks like a nasty tumble in the process.

46 Canaries get things rolling this half at Fratton Park and there could be just 45 minutes between them and promotion.

Cheers again for all your feedback, sorry I couldn’t publish them all! It’s nearly time to get back underway so enjoy the second half. Hope the tension doesn’t get too much Norwich fans!

Mike Lynn is following the game all the way over in South Africa -“Sitting in Centurion with my yellow and green scarf round my neck and following the game on sportinglife.com. The Cardiff – ‘Boro result was unbelievable. Well done ‘Boro, we owe you one! I have to be up at 4:30am tomorrow, but there’s no way I’m going to bed ’til this one’s over. On the ball City!”

Not to leave the Pompey supporters out, Paul Shaw dropped me a tweet to say – “Norwich fans have gone a bit quiet in the pub!”

A draw would satisfy David Bailey – “A good half for Norwich, I think most of our fans would happily take a point here and finish the job next week. We don’t have to win this and would still be in the driving seat!”

James Huxtable thinks it’s now or never – “If Norwich hope to get promoted then they need to put the chances away whilst they still can. Otherwise there is a good chance that they will lose it on the last day and no Norwich fan wants to see that.”

Michael Austin wrote in to say – “Hi its michael from great yarmouth come on norwich lets rap this up to night and get into the premiership with top clubs lets win this for lambert and the fans.”

Patience is key, according to Marius Abram – “Keep it cool city…a draw a good result tonight, lets not do anything silly out there….Hreidarsson won’t be on the pitch much longer….just be patient lads….”

Emma Austin is keeping the faith – “come on u yellows win tonight and we will be going UP UP UP”

Just got back from making my brew to a barrage of emails from Canaries fans. I’ll try and put them all up…

Got something to say on the first 45 minutes? Chances wasted by Whitbread and Ward and Norwich haven’t broken the deadlock yet. Get in touch – [email protected] or on Twitter @SkySportsRachG

So Norwich have had most of the chances but it’s still even-stevens at Fratton Park and they’ve still got some work to do if they want to wrap up promotion tonight.

45+1 Just one minute of stoppage time is added this half. The hosts are still in possession and it looks like this is going to be goalless at the break.

45 Back on the ball, Pompey try to build something before the break, but Mullins is forced back into his own half by Hoolahan.

44 Dickinson can’t quite keep the ball in for Pompey down the right and it’s a Canaries throw-in with one minute of regular time to go this half.

43 Pompey have looked most dangerous with Halford’s long throws tonight. Canaries should be wary of that going into the second half. The replay shows the ball did catch Tierney on the arm, but it’s clearly unintentional.

42 Halford launches in another throw and Tierney clears in the Canaries box. The Pompey players appeal for a handball but the ref is unmoved.

41 Pompey enjoy some possession as Hreidarsson gets forward down the left flank, but he’s kept at bay by Jackson and Martin.

40 Norwich are looking more and more threatening as this match goes on and they’ve definitely had the better chances. Paul Lambert is up and shouting on the touchline with five minutes to go until half-time.

39 So close for the Canaries! Fox finds Holt in the box with a great cross and gets a brilliant first touch around the keeper, but can’t follow it up to apply the finish. Mokoena is in the right place with the clearance but that was very nearly 1-0 to Norwich.

38 De Laet reads the danger well and diffuses an assault down the right, knocking the ball out for a Canaries throw.

38 Halford lines up to take yet another long throw for the hosts, this time from the right. It’s up in the air for a while then eventually cleared by Hoolahan.

37 Hreidarsson takes a Pompey throw-in just inside their own half but the visitors regain possession. Less than 10 minutes to go in this half and it’s still all square – not the result Norwich need tonight.

36 The Canaries are pressing now as Pompey are forced to subdue Hoolahan in the box. The visitors trade passes in the Portsmouth half.

35 Norwich win a free-kick from long range. Fox drifts it in and Elliott Ward gets a glancing header but it goes just wide. Good chance for the visitors.

34 The visitors win a throw in the Pompey half. Tierney’s effort is seeking Holt in the area but the hosts’ defence hold firm.

33 Ashdown, who hasn’t had that much to do so far this half, boots a goal-kick upfield but it goes straight to his opposite number Ruddy.

32 Elliott Ward is in trouble now after a soft tackle on Dickinson. Doesn’t look like a yellow and it’s not – he gets away with a warning from the ref.

32 Hreidarsson sees yellow for tugging on Crofts’ shirt.

31 Norwich are looking more attacking now as Tierney floats a ball into the box, but Crofts can’t latch onto it.

30 Back on the ball for Norwich, Jackson finds Holt in the box but some top defending from Portsmouth forces the Canaries man to knock it out.

29 De Laet takes a throw for the home side and Tierney knocks it straight out for another. His second finds Kanu down the right.

28 Pompey win a free-kick in their own half after Elliott Ward shoves Nugent over right under the nose of the ref.

27 Martin has possession down the left for Norwich but Mullins is there to clear with a sliding tackle. The resulting throw-in picks out Surman but he can’t get his head under the ball.

26 Portsmouth are on the ball as De Laet and Hogg link up in midfield, patiently looking to break through.

25 It’s Halford’s turn for a throw and it’s returned to him by Kanu, but the Pompey man makes a wayward pass to ease the heat on Norwich.

24 Tierney takes another throw for Norwich, this time on the left of the Pompey half, but can’t pick out Hoolahan.

23 Hogg knocks out the ball in midfield for a Canaries throw, with Tierney doing the honours. It’s been quite an evently-matched start to this half.

22 Jackson lofts a ball into the box but can’t quite find Holt on the right. The striker puts in another seconds later but Ashdown is there to comfortably collect for Pompey.

21 Martin makes a timely clearance down the left, and it’s Halford’s turn for a throw-in. He floats in one of his trademark long efforts and it very nearly finds Joel Ward, but he’s foiled by the Norwich defence.

20 Hreidarsson wins a throw for Pompey just inside the Canaries half. He lofts it in but Hoolahan heads it straight back out for another.

19 Fox’s delivery is not quite as impressive as his first, sailing over his team-mates and going behind for a Pompey goal-kick.

18 Ward then gives away a free-kick, which Fox lines up to take…

18 Hoolahan looks for Jackson in the Pompey end but the home backline intervene. Joel Ward knocks the ball out for a Norwich throw.

17 De Laet makes a good run but his ball to Kanu is poor on the edge of the box and the striker can’t turn to make something of it for Pompey.

16 Pompey deal with another threat and snatch back possession, exchanging passes in the Norwich end until Martin clears.

15 Tierney wins a throw for Norwich in midfield as they look to build another attack. Crofts and Fox are hunting for a way through.

14 Halford launches a couple more Pompey throw-ins in quick succession but the visitors deal with the assault. Norwich are on the ball in their own half.

13 Elliott Ward is down momentarily after a clash of heads with Hreidarsson, which was purely accidental this time. He gets to his feet seconds later.

12 The hosts win a throw-in in the Canaries half. It’s a long effort from Halford but Joel Ward can’t keep his header down or on target.

11 Pompey casually give the ball away to Holt, who finds the lively-looking Jackson in the box, but there’s no-one there to meet the striker’s cross, which he slices across the face of goal.

10 Fox swings in the resulting free-kick, which is a quality delivery, but it’s Croft this time that can’t quite apply the finish.

10 It certainly is. Mokoena sees the first booking of the match.

9 Pompey deal with the set piece effectively and win the ball back, but Jackson gets away down the left. Mokoena fouls the Canaries man with a ridiculous tackle and there are more handbags. Surely a yellow…

8 The Icelandic defender gets away with a talking to and the Canaries win a free-kick. It goes out straight away for a corner.

7 There’s a slight scuffle as Hreidarsson brings down Holt, then follows it up with a petulant little kick. The ref is assessing the situation.

6 The game is yet to settle down, with the sides swapping possession. Tierney and Whitbread are currently on the ball inside their own end.

5 Nugent and Hogg trade passes inside the Norwich half until Fox intervenes to get the ball to safety.

4 Pompey vie for the ball in midfield and it’s knocked out for a throw, which De Laet takes.

3 Ruddy lofts an arching kick downfield and finds Jackson. The striker is onside and makes a charge towards goal but Halford wins the ball with a well-timed tackle in the area.

2 Fox whips in the kick and sets up a golden opportunity for Whitbread, but the Norwich man’s close-range header is way off target.

1 There’s an early collision as Mokoena catches Holt with an elbow in the back of the neck. Canaries free-kick.

1 We’re underway at Fratton Park and Pompey get things started. A misplaced ball from Halford goes out for a Canaries throw.

The teams are out and ready to go. Enjoy the game!

The atmosphere looks very festive in the away end at Fratton Park. A massive opportunity for Norwich this evening, let’s see if they can make the most of it.

Not long until kick-off now. Thanks for all your feedback guys, keep it coming at half-time.

Denise Green expects Grant Holt to do the hard work this evening – “I hope we are in for a very good evening of football to be shown tonight. After Cardiff’s lose earlier, i expect Norwich to take advantage of their defeat and get promoted tonight. I don’t see the Pompey stoping them as City have a reall good team that are talented in all areas. I will say a 4-1 win for Norwich with Holt getting a brace this evening.”

Middlesbrough fan David True is glad Boro could help Norwich out – “Boro fan here delighted we could help out the Canaries. We’re all hoping they can beat Pompey and secure promotion to the Prem. To all Norwich fans: You’re welcome!”

It’s all getting a bit much for Chris Cantle – “Hi Rachel, im Chris Cantle From Northampton a life long Norwich City Fan, im so happy with boro beating Cardiff, just watched the game, just biteing my fingers now as this game is gunna be nerve racking, come on Norwich…..”

Zach Kingsbury is predicting a hard slog – but a Canaries victory. He wrote in – “Norwich will be at an all time high in confidence tonight, knowing a win will take them into the Premier League. I predict a hard worked 2-0 win to Norwich, Portsmouth won’t go easy though :)”

Richard Beagrie is expecting a second-half goalfest – “Norwich to beat Pompey 3-1 tonight with all goals in 2nd half, let the celebrations begin. Lets be havin’ ya.”

Marius Abram got in touch to say – “Thank you Boro…..now come on City, finish the job….going UP UP UP”

Paul Wallace has the Guinness on ice in hope of celebrations. Shouldn’t that be champagne? – “Norwich fan in county wicklow watching the games on the edge of my seat. Cold guinness on hand for celebrations tonight with luck. Come on you yellows.”

Anxious Canaries fan Mark has written in to say: “I am a massive norwich fan. We have it in our hands now but got a horrible feeling we are going to give our chance away like we have done in the past. As with sky covering it on sky sports, even more pressure for Norwich as we dont have much luck being on sky.”

A quick betting update from SkyBet – Pompey are 3/1 to clinch this one, while the Canaries are 5/6 to grab the promotion-sealing win. A draw is at 11/4 this evening.

And tonight’s referee is Andy D’Urso (Essex).

Norwich: Ruddy, Russell Martin, Whitbread, Ward, Tierney, Fox, Crofts, Hoolahan, Surman, Holt, Jackson. Subs: Rudd, Edwards, Lansbury, Chris Martin, Lappin, McNamee, Pacheco.

Portsmouth: Ashdown, De Laet, Halford, Mokoena, Hreidarsson, Mullins, Hogg, Nugent, Ward, Dickinson, Kanu. Subs: Flahavan, Lawrence, Webber, Cotterill, Ciftci.

Right, time for the all-important team line-ups:

I’m sure there are a few excited Norwich fans out there, so why not drop me a line ahead of kick-off. Get in touch – [email protected] or on Twitter @SkySportsRachG

The final whistle just blew on Cardiff’s 3-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough – meaning the Canaries will be promoted to the Premier League tonight if they get the full three points at Pompey.

Good evening all and welcome to our live commentary of Portsmouth’s clash with Norwich at Fratton Park.