Live Commentary
The final whistle goes and the game is over.
- 90mins
Andrew Crofts produces a cross, Michael Nelson grabs a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Norwich 2-3 Watford.Assist on the goal came from Andrew Crofts.
- 89mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Anthony McNamee by Adrian Mariappa. Wesley Hoolahan restarts play with the free kick.
- 88mins
Troy Deeney takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Comfortable save by John Ruddy.
- 87mins
Corner taken by Anthony McNamee from the left by-line played to the near post, Stephen McGinn makes a clearance.
- 87mins
Chris Martin takes a shot from 18 yards. Martin Taylor manages to make a clearance.
- 86mins
The ball is delivered by Wesley Hoolahan, clearance by Martin Taylor.
- 86mins
Anthony McNamee replaces Andrew Surman.
- 85mins
Centre by David Fox, Andrew Crofts takes a shot. Ross Jenkins gets a block in.
- 85mins
Corner taken right-footed by David Fox from the left by-line, clearance by John Eustace.
- 85mins
The ball is sent over by Adam Drury, clearance by Danny Graham.
- 80mins
Danny Graham gets on the score sheet with a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Norwich 1-3 Watford.Assist on the goal came from Stephen McGinn.
- 79mins
A cross is delivered by Wesley Hoolahan, Grant Holt has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
- 78mins
Centre by Adam Drury.
- 77mins
The ball is swung over by Danny Graham.
- 77mins
Ross Jenkins has an effort at goal from 18 yards. Adam Drury manages to make a clearance.
- 76mins
The ball is swung over by Wesley Hoolahan, clearance made by Martin Taylor.
- 76mins
Grant Holt sends in a cross, clearance made by Martin Taylor.
- 73mins
Unfair challenge on Don Cowie by Michael Nelson results in a free kick. Martin Taylor takes the direct free kick.
- 71mins
Foul by Lloyd Doyley on Grant Holt, free kick awarded. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Andrew Surman, clearance by Martin Taylor.
- 71mins
Grant Holt comes on in place of Simeon Jackson.
- 68mins
Ross Jenkins delivers the ball.
- 68mins
Effort from 25 yards by David Fox. Fantastic save by Scott Loach.
- 68mins
The ball is swung over by Russell Martin, Lloyd Doyley manages to make a clearance.
- 66mins
The ball is sent over by Wesley Hoolahan, Lloyd Doyley manages to make a clearance.
- 64mins
Wesley Hoolahan is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick crossed by Adrian Mariappa, Michael Nelson manages to make a clearance.
- 61mins
Simeon Jackson is ruled offside. Scott Loach takes the free kick.
- 60mins
The ball is sent over by Chris Martin.
- 59mins
The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by John Ruddy.
- 58mins
Troy Deeney replaces Marvin Sordell. Will Buckley leaves the field to be replaced by Ross Jenkins.
- 57mins
Close range header by Marvin Sordell goes wide of the left-hand upright.
- 57mins
The ball is sent over by Will Buckley, save by John Ruddy.
- 56mins
Will Buckley takes the inswinging corner, Elliott Ward manages to make a clearance.
- 55mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Will Buckley by Elliott Ward. Danny Graham has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, Elliott Ward gets a block in.
- 55mins
The ball is delivered by Adam Drury, Simeon Jackson takes a shot. Blocked by Martin Taylor.
- 54mins
Andrew Crofts is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Scott Loach takes the free kick.
- 52mins
David Fox takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Danny Graham.
- 52mins
The ball is sent over by Russell Martin, clearance by Lee Hodson.
- 51mins
Andrew Crofts gets on the score sheet with a goal from just outside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Norwich 1-2 Watford.Assist by Simeon Jackson.
- 49mins
Shot from just outside the box by Will Buckley goes over the bar.
The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
The players leave the pitch at half time.
- 47mins
Centre by David Fox, clearance by Adrian Mariappa.
- 45mins
The ball is crossed by Elliott Ward, clearance made by Lee Hodson.
- 44mins
Wesley Hoolahan sends in a cross, Martin Taylor manages to make a clearance.
- 43mins
A cross is delivered by Russell Martin, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Chris Martin misses to the right of the target.
- 40mins
Effort from inside the area by Simeon Jackson misses to the right of the goal.
- 39mins
Wesley Hoolahan crosses the ball, save by Scott Loach.
- 39mins
A cross is delivered by John Eustace, clearance by Michael Nelson.
- 36mins
Andrew Crofts sends in a cross.
- 35mins
Shot by Marvin Sordell. Save made by John Ruddy.
- 34mins
Wesley Hoolahan produces a cross.
- 34mins
The ball is crossed by Chris Martin, Martin Taylor makes a clearance.
- 33mins
Corner taken right-footed by Don Cowie from the right by-line, clearance by Elliott Ward.
- 32mins
Danny Graham takes a shot. Russell Martin gets a block in.
- 31mins
Will Buckley fouled by Andrew Surman, the ref awards a free kick. John Eustace takes the free kick.
- 29mins
A cross is delivered by Marvin Sordell, Shot from 12 yards by Will Buckley. Save by John Ruddy.
- 27mins
Andrew Crofts sends in a cross, save by Scott Loach.
- 27mins
Russell Martin delivers the ball, Adrian Mariappa makes a clearance.
- 26mins
A cross is delivered by Don Cowie, comfortable save by John Ruddy.
- 23mins
Danny Graham gets on the score sheet with a goal from the edge of the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Norwich 0-2 Watford.Marvin Sordell provided the assist for the goal.
- 22mins
Foul by Andrew Surman on Don Cowie, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Lee Hodson.
- 21mins
David Fox decides to take the corner short.
- 19mins
Adrian Mariappa challenges Simeon Jackson unfairly and gives away a free kick. The referee shows Don Cowie a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. Andrew Surman has an effort direct from the free kick, brilliant save by Scott Loach.
- 18mins
The ball is delivered by Lee Hodson, Michael Nelson manages to make a clearance.
- 17mins
Wesley Hoolahan has an effort at goal from 20 yards. Martin Taylor manages to make a clearance.
- 17mins
Corner taken right-footed by David Fox from the left by-line, Martin Taylor manages to make a clearance.
- 17mins
The ball is crossed by Michael Nelson, blocked by Lee Hodson.
- 16mins
Centre by John Eustace, clearance by Elliott Ward.
- 13mins
Short corner worked by Don Cowie. John Eustace scores from his cross. Norwich 0-1 Watford.Assist by Don Cowie.
- 13mins
Stephen McGinn produces a cross, clearance by Elliott Ward.
- 12mins
Centre by Adam Drury, clearance made by Martin Taylor.
- 11mins
Adam Drury crosses the ball, Chris Martin has an effort at goal. Martin Taylor gets a block in.
- 10mins
Danny Graham produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes wide left of the goal.
- 9mins
Foul by Chris Martin on Adrian Mariappa, free kick awarded. Scott Loach takes the direct free kick.
- 8mins
Corner taken by David Fox from the left by-line, John Eustace manages to make a clearance.
- 8mins
The ball is swung over by Andrew Crofts, clearance made by Martin Taylor.
- 7mins
Centre by Lloyd Doyley, Shot from inside the area by Danny Graham clears the bar.
- 6mins
A cross is delivered by Danny Graham, John Ruddy makes a comfortable save.
- 5mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen McGinn by Russell Martin. Stephen McGinn takes the free kick.
- 5mins
Russell Martin crosses the ball, Simeon Jackson has an effort at goal from 12 yards. Save by Scott Loach.
- 5mins
Shot by Simeon Jackson from 12 yards. Blocked by Martin Taylor.
- 3mins
Effort on goal by John Eustace from long range goes over the crossbar.
The referee starts the match.
Match Preview
Canaries wait on Holt
Norwich could be left without striker Grant Holt for the season opener at home to Watford as the City skipper faces a dash from a court appearance.
Holt is due in court in Shropshire to face motoring charges, and with a 200-mile journey on his hands, Holt could struggle to make the 7.45pm kick-off time.
Simeon Jackson could be handed a debut if Holt is absent following his move from Gillingham, as last season`s League One winners look to hit the ground running.
Former Rangers left-back Steven Smith will have to wait for his first start as he is still recovering from an ankle injury while fellow defender Zak Whitbread is a doubt after sustaining a problem in a recent friendly.
Midfielder Korey Smith could feature after returning from an ankle injury but Owain Tudur Jones is not an option as he is in Plymouth discussing a move to the League One side.
Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach will make his 100th league appearance.
Boss Malky Mackay has lost two of his best players from last season after Henri Lansbury and Tom Cleverley returned to parent clubs Arsenal and Manchester United respectively, but he does have new signings Rene Gilmartin and Tom Aldred available for the trip to Carrow Road.
The duo are expected to be named on the bench, while young defender Dale Bennett is the only injury concern as he battles to regain fitness from a knock.
Martin Taylor - who spent a loan spell at Norwich in 2007 - and Adrian Mariappa will start at the centre of defence.
Norwich
Watford
- John Ruddy
- Russell Martin
- Michael Nelson
- Elliott Ward
- Adam Drury
- Andrew Surman
- Andrew Crofts
- David Fox
- Wesley Hoolahan
- Simeon Jackson
- Chris Martin
- SUBS
- Declan Rudd
- Grant Holt
- Korey Smith
- Simon Lappin
- Oli Johnson
- Anthony McNamee
- Jens Berthel Askou
Home
Away
- Scott Loach
- Lee Hodson
- Martin Taylor
- Adrian Mariappa
- Lloyd Doyley
- Don Cowie
- John Eustace
- Stephen McGinn
- Will Buckley
- Danny Graham
- Marvin Sordell
- SUBS
- Rene Gilmartin
- Troy Deeney
- Ross Jenkins
- Michael Bryan
- Liam Henderson
- Piero Mingoia
- Eddie Oshodi
Match Report
Hornets sting Canaries
Norwich were handed a rude wake-up call on their return to the second tier as unfancied Watford picked up victory in the curtain raiser for the npower Championship season.
John Eustace and Danny Graham had Watford 2-0 up inside 24 minutes to silence a packed Carrow Road who were eager to see the Canaries carry on the momentum from their League One title win in May.
Norwich lost 7-1 at home on the opening day last season and while they improved after the break to score through Andrew Crofts, another poor start to the campaign was confirmed when Graham struck his second late on.
Michael Nelson was able to find a second goal for the hosts in stoppage time but Watford were worthy winners.
Norwich boss Paul Lambert handed debuts to six new signings and had captain Grant Holt on the bench despite a thigh injury and a possible court appearance in Shropshire hampering his build-up to the game.
Watford signed Troy Deeney from Walsall earlier in the afternoon and he was on the bench as boss Malky Mackay - who spent six years as a player for the Canaries - looked to engineer a win.
Watford captain Eustace had the first effort of the night - and the season - but blasted over from 25 yards before Simeon Jackson saw a shot blocked after a crisp passing move by the hosts.
The visitors were looking dangerous on the break and took the lead through Eustace in the 14th minute.
Don Cowie took a short corner and lofted the return pass into the penalty area.
Crofts misjudged his leap and Eustace was afforded the space to bring the ball down on his chest before planting a low left-footed shot past John Ruddy and into the corner.
Andrew Surman came close to an equaliser but his dipping free-kick was clawed out by Scott Loach - and Graham soon had the Hornets two ahead.
Lloyd Doyley hooked a clearance upfield and Graham cushioned the ball on his chest to strike partner Marvin Sordell.
Sordell helped the ball on over the top and Graham was lethal in clipping the ball past Ruddy from just inside the area.
Norwich were in need of a huge improvement if they were to find a way back and their best move of the night saw Crofts pull one back in the 52nd minute.
Wes Hoolahan slalomed his way past three players before finding Jackson on the edge of the area.
The Canada international had spotted Crofts run behind him and slid a lovely backheel into his path and the midfielder duly dispatched it past Loach.
Holt was summoned from the bench with 20 minutes remaining but Watford wrapped up the points through Graham's second goal in the 81st minute.
Stephen McGinn poked the ball through to Graham on the left-hand side of the box and the former Carlisle man picked his spot perfectly to curl home.
Nelson gave City hope in added time when he met Crofts' cut-back to steer in from 10 yards.
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