Report and complimentary highlights from Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship game between Norwich City and Watford at Carrow Road | Canaries win handily, with goals from Marcelino Nunez and Borja Sainz.
In a thrilling match at Carrow Road, Norwich easily defeated Watford 4-1 to win just their second Championship game of the year.
In just three minutes, the Canaries took the lead thanks to a goal from Callum Doyle, who also managed to fend off an equaliser from Ryan Andrews. Borja Sainz gave them the lead again at the end of the half.
Nine minutes after the restart, Marcelino Nunez scored a well-executed third goal to put the Canaries ahead and replace Just before the conclusion, Ben Chrisene scored his first goal for the team, which was the cherry on top.
Three goals, countless opportunities, and a shocking miss were the highlights of an exciting first half that saw the visitors lose two players to injury in the first 13 minutes.
When Norwich took the lead after just three minutes thanks to Doyle’s first goal since joining on loan from Manchester City, they had already been dangerously close through Josh Sargent.
The youthful defender advanced unopposed before unleashing a shot from twenty yards that seemed to pass through Daniel Bachmann’s extended arms and enter the goal.
After losing Bachmann and defender Francisco Sierralta to injuries, the Hornets rallied and tied the score on the 26th minute, just after Sainz’s attempt for Norwich was flagged out for offside.
The ball was recycled when Ken Sema’s cross was deflected and Andrews was in the correct place to head it past an unsighted Angus Gunn. The hosts looked to have had a fortunate escape when Rocco Vata’s deflected drive bounced back against the woodwork.
Just after the half-hour mark, Sema’s inswinging corner struck the post and fell sweetly for Daniel Jebbison, but the on-loan striker blazed over from close range with the goal at his mercy, giving Watford the lead.
In the first half stoppage time, Norwich duly made the visitors pay by taking the lead again after two minutes.
When Kenny McLean got possession deep within his own half, there didn’t seem to be any danger. However, he was able to find the quick-thinking Sainz with a superb pass, and the Spaniard took the ball into the area before easily defeating Jonathan Bond, the replacement custodian.
After 54 minutes, Norwich promptly stretched their lead and gave themselves some breathing room, with McLean again being the catalyst.
With a well-weighted chip, the Scottish midfielder released Doyle down the left, and his subsequent cross was similarly precisely placed, allowing Nunez to finish with a powerful blow.
After 70 minutes, Sargent came close to making it four when he shot just wide after grabbing another clever McLean feed. Meanwhile, Gunn made a great save to deny substitute Kwadwo Baah’s rare opportunity to score.
After 89 minutes, a cross from Jack Stacey was easily side-footed home by fellow replacement Chrisene to give Norwich the victory.
The supervisors
Johannes Hoff Thorup of Norwich:
“I believe we should have a few more points with the football we have played so far this season, and we are definitely heading in the right path.
“We will not give up until we achieve our goals; we are not yet where we want to be. However, I believe this was the best performance I’ve seen since coming here.
“We were aware of the significance of getting off to a strong start since it boosts team morale and draws supporters in. We also played some excellent football and scored some stunning goals, in my opinion.
“I was so pleased for the players – it hasn’t always been the case this season but today they were rewarded with three points for a really good performance.”
The Tom Cleverley of Watford:
They had a great chance to score before we gave up early once more. We also came close to conceding early again in the second half.
“We will undoubtedly need to spend the first ten minutes refining our game plan, and we will do so until it is perfect.
“I wanted to come here with a lot of enthusiasm and be aggressive—that’s how I played too, but sometimes being aggressive can lead to being exposed and getting punished.
“I think we have shown enough this season to prove we can be a top team but it is a case of getting the balance right going that other way.”
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