Watford vs Norwich match report: Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo send Hornets into the top-half of the table

Watford 2 Norwich 0

Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney celebrate after the former scores for Watford (Getty Images)

With almost half the season gone, there is little doubt which of the Premier League’s new intake look the most promising. Twice beaten 3-0 by Norwich in the Championship last season, Watford were far too good for them yesterday in climbing to ninth place and leaving Alex Neil’s side among the strugglers after a run of just one win in 10 games.

As part of an attempt to shake things up, Neil dropped goalkeeper John Ruddy and found replacement Declan Rudd engaged in a prolonged duel with Odion Ighalo (below), which the striker won in added time. The Nigerian could legitimately claim he was robbed of an earlier goal by an incorrect offside decision.

As it was, Watford produced much tenacious pressing in the opposing half, greatly appreciated by the home crowd, while Étienne Capoue provided the class and the usual suspects supplied the goals: Troy Deeney, the captain, and Ighalo have collected 14 of Watford’s 17 goals – of which one other was an own goal and one was scored by a player no longer the club. No wonder manager Quique Sanchez Flores has been talking about securing another striker in the January transfer window.

Troy Deeney celebrates after giving Watford the lead against Norwich (Getty Images)

Before that, however, his team have much to do. After a trip to Sunderland they face Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City on either side of Christmas.

Flores felt it was “a day to talk about the defence” but, solid as they were, Robbie Brady’s careless effort at the start of the second half was the visitors’ only real opportunity.

Troy Deeney scores a penalty to give Watford the lead against Norwich (Getty Images)

The first goal came when Alex Tettey, supposedly on guard duty in front of the back four, let his guard down and lost possession, then fouled Ighalo in trying to make amends. Deeney converted the penalty for his fourth goal in successive games.

Odion Ighalo celebrates scoring for Watford against Norwich (Getty Images)

The second half became Ighalo against Rudd, who thwarted him constantly before losing out right at the finish after centre-half Sébastien Bassong was again too easily brushed aside.

Teams

Watford: (4-2-3-1): Gomes; Nyom, Britos, Cathcart, Ake; Capoue, Watson; Anya (Paredes, 74), Deeney, Jurado (Abdi, 77); Ighalo (Guedioura, 90).

Norwich: (4-4-1-1): Rudd; Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Redmond (Mbokani, h-t), Tettey, Dorrans, Brady; Howson (Odjidja-Ofoe, 78); Grabban (Jerome, 67)

Referee: Mike Dean

Match rating: 6/10

Man of the match: Capoue (Watford)