Watford 2 Norwich 2: Canaries not on song as they slip out of automatic promotion places

13 April 2011 00:47
Norwich's quest for promotion to the Barclays Premier League was dealt another blow after a draw at Watford saw them slip out of the top two in the npower Championship.[LNB]Sam Vokes took just 77 seconds to mark his first Norwich start with his first goal for the club but the home side were in front at the break after goals from Danny Graham and Don Cowie.[LNB]Norwich pressed after the break on a poor playing surface and levelled through substitute Simeon Jackson to keep up manager Paul Lambert's remarkable record.[LNB] Hope or expectation: Malky Mackay and Paul Lambert could both have done with all three points[LNB]Lambert has never tasted consecutive defeats during his 20 months in charge but the point -after a loss at Swansea at the weekend - means theCanaries fall behind Cardiff and into third.[LNB]Watford are now seven points off a play-off spot and Malky Mackay's side look unlikely to extend their season.[LNB]Mackay had six years as a player with Norwich but had barely stopped shaking hands with old friends in the dugout when the Canaries took a second-minute lead.[LNB]Watford skipper John Eustace lost possession in midfield and the ballfell kindly for Grant Holt to play over the top of a square back four for Vokes to run onto.[LNB]After taking the ball on his chest the forward looked to have run wide but managed to bobble the ball into the turf and over goalkeeper Scott Loach.[LNB] Sting in the tail: Watford's Don Cowie scores their second goal[LNB]It was a nightmare start for the hosts but top scorer Graham almost stole in when Elliott Ward fluffed a header. [LNB]Holt then went close when Marc Tierney delivered a dangerous cross from the left before Graham did level matters in the 26th minute.[LNB]Again the goal stemmed from a mistake in midfield as Norwich's David Fox let a pass run under his foot. Graham burst onto the loose ball, gotanother stroke of luck as his attempted pass to Marvin Sordell came back to him off Ward, and curled a shot under the dive of John Ruddy forhis 27th of the season.[LNB]Graham was then instrumental as Watford took a 36th-minute lead. TroyDeeney played the ball down the line and Graham flicked the ball aroundZak Whitbread. [LNB] Sing up: Simeon Jackson pokes home Norwich's second of the night at Vicarage Road[LNB]The American defender attempted to foul Graham but referee Anthony Taylor played a smart advantage to allow him to stride on and pick out Cowie in the penalty area. The winger took a touch before smashing an unstoppable shot in off the underside of the crossbar.[LNB]Graham lashed another powerful shot just wide as a thoroughly entertaining half came to a close.[LNB]Lambert introduced former Hornets Anthony McNamee and Henri Lansbury after the break while third substitute Jackson forced Loach into a smartsave with a low header.[LNB]Graham then passed up a sitter when he failed to connect with Deeney's header from four yards out before Holt drove straight at Loach.[LNB]Holt was then inevitably involved as Jackson struck a 69th-minute equaliser. Fox whipped in a free-kick from the left which Holt - who wasbeing fouled - headed back for Jackson to finish from close range.[LNB]Lambert's side were playing with just two at the back as they piled on the pressure but Watford stood firm to take a deserved share of the spoils.[LNB]  Watford 1 Hull City 2: Road rampage continues for TigersSwansea 3 Norwich City 0: Canaries get wings clipped as Swans sail on [LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Paul Lambert, Danny Graham, John Eustace Places: Cardiff, Norwich

Source: Daily_Mail