Norwich go marching on. They recorded their sixth successive victory and with major shareholder Delia Smith giving up her seat in the directors box to join 4,500 Cit y supporters, it was party time for the visitors at Vicarage Road.
But they had a fright. They appeared to be cruising with a 2-0 lead over struggling Watford, whose form did not reflect that they too had enjoyed a five-game unbeaten run.
Yet with ten minutes to go Watford were thrown a lifeline and City were forced to defend desperately.
Nineteen-year-old midfielder Dominic Blizzard, 18 minutes into his first Watford appearance, got his head to a shot by Paul Devlin to deflect the ball wide of keeper Robert Green.
And City should have been punished four minutes later when substitute Scott Fitzgerald drove a low cross into the Norwich box which eluded Green, but when Bruce Dyer stretched for what looked to be a tap-in at the far post the ball came off his foot and hit the post before bouncing clear.
"We became a bit sloppy," admitted Norwich boss Nigel Worthington after the game.
Norwich survived late pressure to move closer to the title.
"To finish second you have a memory, but to finish first you have a medal. That's what we are looking for now," said Worthington.
Watford boss Ray Lewington admitted Norwich were the better side and deserved the victory. He was also relieved he did not lose keeper Alec Chamberlain to a red card after he was pulled up for handling outside the penalty area.
That incident, two minutes into the second half, afforded City the chance to score their second when Kevin Cooper flighted in a free-kick and Leon McKenzie nudged the ball home with his shoulder, while Watford appealed for handball.
Cooper had helped to set up the opening goal. He had found McKenzie who in turn found Damien Francis, who scored with a low angled shot after 29 minutes.