Canaries knocked off high perch
Norwich City 1 Watford
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Just as the top of the First Division table beckoned, Norwich City's impressive recent form deserted them and Watford brought the Canaries' 100 per cent home record to an end.
With none of the other leading sides in action yesterday, a ninth straight home victory for Nigel Worthington's side would have taken them two points ahead of West Bromwich Albion, rewarding the high-quality football that had seen them beaten only once in 12 games since the end of August.
But there could be little dispute over the merit of Watford's victory. Ray Lewington's neat, well-organised side belied their lowly position in the table by playing some attractive and productive football, 19-year-old striker Scott Fitzgerald giving them a 24th-minute lead before winning a penalty converted by captain Neil Cox 10 minutes from the end.
Goalkeeper Lenny Pidgley defied the home side with a sequence of fine saves, but it was a below-par performance from Norwich, whose solitary reply, through 17-year-old Ryan Jarvis's first senior goal, came too late to salvage a point.
However, Norwich had some right to claim that referee Steve Bennett had not dealt them a fair hand. Three times in the first half, the home side had apparently legitimate penalty appeals, but all were turned down by the Kent official, Darren Huckerby landing himself a yellow card for diving in the first instance.
Norwich's case for feeling hard done-by, however, was undermined by passing that was often casual, possession being surrendered all too cheaply. With the exception of a point-blank third-minute header by defender Craig Fleming that Pidgley, on loan from Chelsea, kept out against all expectations, they rarely threatened a first-half goal of their own.
By then, Fitzgerald, spotted playing for Ryman League side Northwood Town, had slid home the impressive Lee Cook's low cross to give Watford the advantage. Pidgley made further excellent saves, first to deny Ian Henderson a fourth goal in three games and then to keep Huckerby off the scoresheet, before Cox's spot-kick made Norwich's task almost impossible, frantically though the visitors were forced to defend after substitute Jarvis scored with two minutes left.
"After our great run, I think some of our players thought we had only to turn up to win," Worthington said afterwards. "We should have had at least one penalty, but the quality was not there today, so I don't want to make excuses."
Norwich City 1
Jarvis 88
Watford 2
Fitzgerald 24, Cox pen 81
Half-time: 0-1 Attendance: 16,420
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments