A HAT-TRICK from Deon Burton consigned Norwich City to relegation at The Valley this afternoon.

The Canaries went into the end of season clash with Charlton knowing victory would be the minimum requirement if they were to escape joining the Addicks in League One next season.

However, they completely failed to rise to the challenge and found themselves 3-0 down within half an hour as the home side turned on the style for their long-suffering fans.

Nicky Bailey was the first player to try his luck on eight minutes, although his long range drive was always going wide.

Norwich’s large contingent of fans then began celebrating as news of Plymouth’s opener against Barnsley filtered through to SE7.

However, they were silenced almost immediately when Lloyd Sam crossed from the right and picked out an unmarked Bailey at the far post, who this time made no mistake by heading the Addicks in front.

The hosts were forced into an unwanted change five minutes later when an injury forced Darren Ward to be replaced by youngster Chris Solly, who moved out to left-back with Kelly Youga stepping into central defence.

A clever back flick by Burton out wide on the right played Sam into the area and his low cross was fired into the side-netting from six-yards by Jonjo Shelvey.

Charlton doubled their advantage on 25 minutes after goalkeeper David Marshall failed to hold on to Therry Racon’s drive from 18-yards and Burton was ideally placed to tap home the rebound.

And Norwich’s afternoon went from bad to worse five minutes later when Bailey’s left wing cross was met by Burton, who added his second of the afternoon to all but consign the Canaries to League One football along with the Addicks next year.

Simon Lappin and Darel Russel both blazed over the bar within a couple of minutes of each other when completely unmarked, efforts which largely summed up a disastrous opening half for the visitors.

Russel had Norwich’s first shot on target from 25-yards in the 41st minute, but it was comfortably saved by Rob Elliot.

Cody McDonald had already been introduced by Bryan Gunn from the bench in a desperate bid to chase the game and the former Dartford striker fired wide on the stroke of half-time with his first attempt of the game.

His side were given a lifeline when Alan Lee headed home after Lappin’s corner was flicked on by Jon Ostemobor.

But with Barnsley recovering to take a 2-1 lead at Plymouth early in the second half, Norwich’s chances of survival appeared to be slimmer than ever.

They disappeared entirely in the 51st minute when Lappin was dispossessed by Sam and his low cross was cleverly fired home by Burton as the striker completed his hat-trick.

A powerful volley from McDonald tested Elliot on 55 minutes and the Addicks keeper had to be alert to gather Lee’s header from a corner moments later.

Norwich pulled it back to 4-2 on the hour when Sammy Clingan’s 25-yard free-kick flew past Elliot.

But Hudson should have restored the three-goal cushion moments later when Shelvey’s free-kick deflected into his path 15-yards out but the defender smashed his shot over the bar.

Zheng Zhi unleashed a shot from 20-yards which Marshall had to reclaim at the second attempt after the Norwich keeper dropped the initial attempt.

Lappin had the ball in the back of the net on 69 minutes when he smashed a free-kick past Elliot, although the Charlton wall wasn’t ready and Lappin earned a booking for his subsequent protests.

Clingan tried his luck with the second attempt and only a mis-kick from Lee eight yards out prevented Norwich pulling it back to 4-3.

Zhi was applauded off the pitch as he made way for Scott Wagstaff with the Valley crowd fully aware this will probably be the last time they see him in action in a Charlton shirt.

Tamer Tuna came on for Sam 12 minutes later as yet another of Charlton’s emerging young talents was given a chance to impress.

It was the most talented of all, Shelvey, who almost made it five three minutes from time but his shot hit the bar instead of the back of the net with Marshall beaten.

Charlton: Elliot, Butterfield, Hudson, Ward (Solly 14), Youga, Sam (Tuna 83), Racon, Zhi (Wagstaff 71), Bailey, Shelvey, Burton. Subs not used: Randolph, Kandol. Att: 22,020.