Close menu
Premier League
WatfordWatford0NorwichNorwich City3

Watford 0-3 Norwich City: Josh Sargent double helps Canaries to huge win at relegation rivals

By Emma SandersBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments713

Sargent improvisation was superb - Smith

Josh Sargent's first Premier League goals capped a "crazy couple of weeks" as the new father helped Norwich City to a crucial victory over 10-man Watford which moved them out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

The 21-year-old American became a dad for the first time this month, while Norwich have enjoyed back-to-back wins and are now two points above the bottom three.

"It's been a kind of blur. To get your first goal and then your second after was pretty crazy," said Sargent. "It was a big game for us so a great night overall.

"Obviously being in the relegation zone means every game is big for us, but to get a win against the team right in front of us is huge."

Sargent had endured a frustrating season in front of goal, failing to find the net in 18 league games, but acrobatically hooked Teemu Pukki's cross from behind him and saw it bounce in off the underside of the crossbar for Norwich's opener.

His thumping header made it 2-0 after a lengthy stoppage in play because of a floodlight fault and he celebrated wildly, before paying tribute to his newborn child.

"After the first one I didn't celebrate for my newborn baby so I knew the wife would be on my case. I thought I need to do it now!" he added.

"It's been a crazy couple of weeks obviously but I'm very happy. It's been amazing."

Norwich rubbed salt in Watford's wounds with a third goal late on - substitute Juraj Kucka poking past his own goalkeeper at the near post.

Watford were further hampered by Emmanuel Dennis' sending off - the forward shown a second yellow card by referee Mike Dean for a rash challenge on Max Aarons.

Shortly before Kucka poked in Adam Idah's pull-back, Watford had a goal disallowed when Moussa Sissoko thumped in a stunning volley from an offside position, and Cucho Hernandez later hit the crossbar.

Claudio Ranieri's side still have two games in hand but it was an 11th defeat in 13 games during his Watford tenure, while Dennis' sending-off means he will miss another crucial relegation battle with bottom side Burnley on 5 February.

Pressure mounts on relegation rivals

Norwich played as a team, Watford were individuals - Ranieri

Sargent's exuberant celebrations, echoed by the visiting Norwich supporters, showed how important this victory was to Dean Smith's side.

It is the first time this season Norwich have moved out of the bottom three, while defeat for Watford piles more pressure on manager Ranieri.

Norwich were most people's favourites to go down at Christmas but back-to-back wins over Everton and Watford have seen them shoot up the table from bottom to 17th in just over a week.

The relegation battle promises to continue as Burnley, now propping up the table, have five games in hand on Norwich, having had numerous games postponed because of Covid-19 cases and injuries.

Watford and Newcastle United also have games in hand, but with no side in the current bottom six winning more than five games this season, Norwich will be heavily boosted by their recent victories.

The Canaries face a tough February including games against Manchester City and Liverpool, but Watford are under pressure to bounce back against Burnley in their next match having already dropped points to relegation rivals Norwich and Newcastle in recent games.

Player of the match

SargentJoshua Sargent

with an average of 8.74

Watford

  1. Squad number10Player nameJoão Pedro
    Average rating

    4.78

  2. Squad number21Player nameKiko Femenía
    Average rating

    4.73

  3. Squad number19Player nameSissoko
    Average rating

    4.68

  4. Squad number29Player nameCucho Hernández
    Average rating

    4.62

  5. Squad number22Player nameSamir
    Average rating

    4.48

  6. Squad number14Player nameKamara
    Average rating

    4.41

  7. Squad number39Player nameKayembe
    Average rating

    4.41

  8. Squad number27Player nameKabasele
    Average rating

    4.25

  9. Squad number7Player nameKing
    Average rating

    4.20

  10. Squad number26Player nameBachmann
    Average rating

    4.20

  11. Squad number25Player nameDennis
    Average rating

    4.06

  12. Squad number8Player nameCleverley
    Average rating

    3.98

  13. Squad number12Player nameSema
    Average rating

    3.92

  14. Squad number33Player nameKucka
    Average rating

    3.70

Norwich City

  1. Squad number24Player nameSargent
    Average rating

    8.74

  2. Squad number35Player nameIdah
    Average rating

    8.10

  3. Squad number5Player nameHanley
    Average rating

    8.02

  4. Squad number17Player nameRashica
    Average rating

    7.94

  5. Squad number21Player nameWilliams
    Average rating

    7.71

  6. Squad number28Player nameGunn
    Average rating

    7.70

  7. Squad number22Player namePukki
    Average rating

    7.69

  8. Squad number4Player nameGibson
    Average rating

    7.66

  9. Squad number2Player nameAarons
    Average rating

    7.59

  10. Squad number20Player nameLees-Melou
    Average rating

    7.54

  11. Squad number19Player nameSørensen
    Average rating

    7.43

  12. Squad number23Player nameMcLean
    Average rating

    7.25

  13. Squad number3Player nameByram
    Average rating

    7.01

  14. Squad number11Player namePlacheta
    Average rating

    6.75

Line-ups

Watford

Formation 4-3-3

  • 26Bachmann
  • 21FemeníaSubstituted forKuckaat 89'minutes
  • 27Kabasele
  • 22Samir
  • 14KamaraSubstituted forSemaat 84'minutes
  • 8CleverleySubstituted forHernándezat 59'minutes
  • 39Kayembe
  • 19Sissoko
  • 25DennisBooked at 78mins
  • 7King
  • 10João Pedro

Substitutes

  • 2Ngakia
  • 12Sema
  • 17Fletcher
  • 18Tufan
  • 29Hernández
  • 31Sierralta
  • 33Kucka
  • 35Elliot
  • 42Morris

Norwich

Formation 4-4-2

  • 28Gunn
  • 2Aarons
  • 5Hanley
  • 4Gibson
  • 21Williams
  • 24Sargent
  • 20Lees-Melou
  • 19SørensenSubstituted forMcLeanat 21'minutesBooked at 38mins
  • 17RashicaSubstituted forPlachetaat 90+6'minutes
  • 35Idah
  • 22PukkiSubstituted forByramat 87'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Byram
  • 10Dowell
  • 11Placheta
  • 15Kabak
  • 18Tzolis
  • 23McLean
  • 30Giannoulis
  • 33McGovern
  • 46Rowe
Referee:
Mike Dean
Attendance:
20,782

Match Stats

Home TeamWatfordAway TeamNorwich
Possession
Home69%
Away31%
Shots
Home15
Away7
Shots on Target
Home4
Away2
Corners
Home5
Away1
Fouls
Home16
Away11

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Watford 0, Norwich City 3.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Watford 0, Norwich City 3.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Moussa Sissoko (Watford).

  4. Post update

    Brandon Williams (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Post update

    Moussa Sissoko (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Sam Byram (Norwich City).

  7. Post update

    Corner, Watford. Conceded by Max Aarons.

  8. Post update

    Attempt blocked. João Pedro (Watford) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

  9. Post update

    Cucho Hernández (Watford) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Moussa Sissoko.

  10. Post update

    Attempt missed. Joshua King (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

  11. Substitution

    Substitution, Norwich City. Przemyslaw Placheta replaces Milot Rashica.

  12. Goal!

    Own Goal by Juraj Kucka, Watford. Watford 0, Norwich City 3.

  13. Post update

    Offside, Watford. João Pedro tries a through ball, but Moussa Sissoko is caught offside.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Watford. Juraj Kucka replaces Kiko Femenía.

  15. Post update

    Samir (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Post update

    Foul by Adam Idah (Norwich City).

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Norwich City. Sam Byram replaces Teemu Pukki.

  18. Post update

    Attempt missed. João Pedro (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Watford. Ken Sema replaces Hassane Kamara.

  20. Post update

    Samir (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Page 1 of 6
Navigate to the last page

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

713 comments

  • Comment posted by YNFA, at 22:07 21 Jan

    Well this is a comeback nobody predicted...nothing against Watford but well done Norwich...

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 22:13 21 Jan

      Sport Report replied:
      Major goals from Sarjent, whose general play was so good, he should be captain.

  • Comment posted by GoldstoneGhost, at 22:09 21 Jan

    Just when you make Dennis your captain in the Fantasy…..

    • Reply posted by RichardRichard, at 22:23 21 Jan

      RichardRichard replied:
      Week ruined already.

  • Comment posted by emma, at 22:27 21 Jan

    Villa supporter: c’mon Norwich would love you to stay up, great manager proper team

    • Reply posted by Fifties Man, at 23:11 21 Jan

      Fifties Man replied:
      Yes is is extraordinary isn’t it - none of us gave them a chance in the Autumn. Pleased for their supporters. On the other hand they have played more games than the teams below them, and the bottom 4/5 are in a mini-league of teams that are below the standard of other PL teams. But good luck to Norwich - a pleasant club.

  • Comment posted by DH, at 22:09 21 Jan

    Mike Dean was absolutely delighted with the completely unnecessary delay. All that camera time. You could see it in his eyes

    • Reply posted by the peoples poet, at 22:30 21 Jan

      the peoples poet replied:
      thought he reffed it well, to be fair...

  • Comment posted by Skylander, at 22:32 21 Jan

    To all those who think Norwich don’t deserve to be in the Prem league. Let’s be avin you!

    • Reply posted by Skillful, at 22:48 21 Jan

      Skillful replied:
      Lads, it's just Watford.

  • Comment posted by wigbys, at 22:08 21 Jan

    Well done Canaries!!!

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 22:40 21 Jan

      Sport Report replied:
      Flying out of the relegation zone and not dogged by going down any more. :-)

  • Comment posted by Tyros Canary, at 22:13 21 Jan

    Norwich have won six times in all competitions so far this season and five of those six have been without Billy Givetheballawaymore.

    • Reply posted by Ook the Librarian, at 22:17 21 Jan

      Ook the Librarian replied:
      Coincidence ... 🤭

  • Comment posted by Origo, at 22:07 21 Jan

    So pleased for Dean Smith

    • Reply posted by lcfcmyclub, at 08:27 22 Jan

      lcfcmyclub replied:
      Good manager, given chance, will he pull a great escape. All the news is at the lower end of the PL at the moment. Interesting.

  • Comment posted by Raedwulf, at 22:06 21 Jan

    I'm not sure there's all that much between these two strugglers, but Norwich were much the better side tonight. The third goal was unlucky, but the win wasn't. There are games in hand all round, but pts on the board always count and suddenly the Canaries look decidedly chirpy!

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 22:16 21 Jan

      Sport Report replied:
      3 goals mate between them

  • Comment posted by soapboxes, at 22:14 21 Jan

    Not a particular fan of Norwich, but if this win helps relegate one of the most classless, unpleasant teams to ever grace the Premier League, then so be it.

    • Reply posted by Mojo68, at 22:28 21 Jan

      Mojo68 replied:
      What, Burnley??

  • Comment posted by Luke, at 22:14 21 Jan

    Looks like a taxi for Claudio will happen tomorrow when the Pozzos spin the managerial merry go round. Though not sure why Watford have bought in 3 players in January, when they could have paid the same money for a quality centre back to stop leaking goals. Anyway, well done to Norwich and fair play for coming back from the dead and giving it a good go. Sargent definitely MOTM.

    • Reply posted by Tom Chelski, at 22:29 21 Jan

      Tom Chelski replied:
      I agree. Shame I didn't put sneaky bet before the game that Mr Dilly Dong will be sacked on Saturday. Now the odds must be even surely 🤔😁🤣

  • Comment posted by Investigation Royalty, at 22:30 21 Jan

    Well done Canaries

    Beaten Everton
    Beaten Watford

    Its the Canary singing at the moment....
    ... Not the fat Lady!

    (As in the saying! 😂😂)

    Sargent we salute you.

    • Reply posted by The Spin Doctor, at 23:24 21 Jan

      The Spin Doctor replied:
      Nobody predict this start to the new year for Norwich. Well done, hope you keep it up Norwich.

  • Comment posted by Rotterdam82, at 22:23 21 Jan

    Good on you Dean, hope you keep Norwich up. UTV.

  • Comment posted by Forrest, at 22:07 21 Jan

    2 wins in a row, who saw that at Xmas

    • Reply posted by Sport Report, at 22:38 21 Jan

      Sport Report replied:
      I did. I remember, as if it was yesterday, sitting down to Christmas dinner and saying to everyone, Norwich will get 2 wins in a row in January.

  • Comment posted by Pete_B, at 22:15 21 Jan

    As much as I like Ranieri, he’s not the sort of manager you want in a relegation fight.

    • Reply posted by error404, at 22:35 21 Jan

      error404 replied:
      Dilly ding dilly dong!

  • Comment posted by Nick, at 22:10 21 Jan

    Well played Josh, you ran your heart out again and you’re now joint 2nd scorer alongside OG !

    • Reply posted by sPaulinit, at 23:11 21 Jan

      sPaulinit replied:
      He's a winger. Got to play him on that right all the time. Then the pressure's off. He can get the graft in and get something out of it. He was awesome there against Everton too.

  • Comment posted by Peter, at 23:16 21 Jan

    Well done Norwich!! I'm a died in the wool Leicester City fan, but I just feel our A47 rivalry is enriched by the number or Norwich fans I know; my grandad spoke of old encounters against Norwich, and, I think I'm correct in saying Carrow roads record attendance was against the 🦊.... I hope I speak for all Leicester fans in hoping you stay up!!

    • Reply posted by kev, at 23:27 21 Jan

      kev replied:
      Enriched - word of day

  • Comment posted by Saul Goodman , at 22:29 21 Jan

    Go on Norwich, good luck! Be very pleasing
    Nice city with good pubs too

    Hammer in solidarity here

    • Reply posted by Shaketh The Wise, at 02:02 22 Jan

      Shaketh The Wise replied:
      What's wrong with the Red Lion in Watford? Just because there's no pubs in Stratford worth going to....