Imran Louza on target as Watford deny Norwich top spot in Championship

Posted Sunday, October 16, 2022 by PA

Watford denied Norwich the chance to go top of the Championship table by beating them 2-1 at Vicarage Road.

Imran Louza, who had earlier seen a penalty saved by recalled Canaries goalkeeper Angus Gunn, volleyed Slaven Bilic’s hosts ahead before Keinan Davis doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark.

Josh Sargent pulled one back in the final minute of the first half but Dean Smith’s visitors are now third behind Sheffield United and new leaders Burnley. Watford moved up from 17th to 10th.

Gunn was forced into early action when Davis eluded Sam Byram on the right of the box. The former Southampton goalkeeper made a smart block at his near post.

Watford survived a penalty shout when Sargent went down under Dan Gosling’s challenge but referee Darren England pointed to the spot at the other end in the 12th minute when Liam Gibbs, caught on the wrong side, barged Ismaila Sarr over.

Louza, the midfielder facing a charge of spitting at an opponent in Watford’s previous home game against Swansea, struck the spot-kick firmly but Gunn dived to his left to save.

Louza was back in the 18th minute however to open the scoring. Sarr picked him out beyond the back post for a side-footed volley that was perfectly placed across Gunn via the turf.

Max Aarons fired a Norwich reply wide after Daniel Bachmann had parried Kieran Dowell’s long-ranger but Davis doubled Watford’s lead in the 31st minute.

Again Sarr was involved, with his ball in from the left half cleared by Andrew Omobamidele. Yaser Asprilla’s tame effort was going wide but instead went straight to Davis, who took a couple of touches for a simple finish.

Gunn denied Davis a third Watford goal with a smart save before Sargent halved the arrears in the 45th minute. Dowell’s surge forward had Hornets backpedalling and the USA forward cut in from the left of the box to fire past two challengers and beat goalkeeper Bachmann at his near post.

Isaac Hayden, the Newcastle loanee, came on for Gibbs at half-time for a Norwich debut delayed by a knee injury, with Gabriel Sara replacing Marcelino Nunez.

Sargent put the ball in the net in the 52nd minute but Teemu Pukki was offside and skipper Grant Hanley smashed a shot off the bar after Kenny McLean’s effort had been deflected behind for a corner.

Norwich were marginally the better side and Watford were forced into a change when Asprilla had to be replaced by Joao Pedro after Sara had studded his leg, with referee England taking no action.

Watford were keen for a clinching third but Gunn was able to block Ken Sema’s fierce drive – and the Hornets required last man Gosling’s intervention at the other end to stop Sargent bursting through with Pukki in support.