Norwich City's promotion hopes were dealt another blow by Watford, Vakoun Bayo's late winner the difference at Carrow Road.
After an impressive start from the home side, it was Watford who enjoyed the best of the first half chances. The first of those came when Keinan Davis beat Ben Gibson but was halted by Gunn, before Sam McCallum’s block denied Ismaila Sarr from 15 yards.
The Canaries were the only side to find the net in the opening period, however, Grant Hanley’s header nestling in the Hornet’s net but ruled out for offside.
The second half was slightly less eventful, with openings hard to come by for either side. Sarr should have found the net again in the 51st minute, however, but some last-ditch defending from Gunn and Gibson kept the scores level.
The best chance for City was squandered by Josh Sargent, who was sent through on goal by Gabriel Sara in the 71st minute but cleared the bar as he collided with Daniel Bachmann.
It was the visitors who found the winner, however, Bayo's tap-in leaving Norwich 11th in the Championship and three points away from the play-off positions.
NORWICH CITY (4-3-3):
Substitutes:
1. Krul
4. Omobamidele (on for Aarons, 74)
9. Hugill
10. Dowell
14. Cantwell
25. Hernandez
30. Giannoulis
Interim coaches: Allan Russell and Steve Weaver
Bookings: Gibbs (18), Hanley (45)
Goals:
WATFORD (3-4-3):
Substitutes:
26. Hamer (GK)
5. Ekong (on for Kabasele, 84)
18. Asprilla (on for Davis, 64)
19. Bayo (on for Kalu, 29)
32. Pollock
36. Hungbo
50. Blake
Head Coach: Slaven Bilic
Bookings: Ngakia (4), Sierralta (68)
Goals: Bayo (86)
KEY MOMENTS
3 – Aarons’ cross finds Idah in the box, but he doesn’t get enough contact on his header.
6 – Davis beats Gibson and fires at goal, but Gunn turns behind for a corner.
16 – Davis cuts in and fires a powerful shot towards goal, but it drops wide.
17 – Davis out-muscles Gibson to find Sarr in the box and he should score, but McCallum’s block denies him.
22 – Kalu gets some power on his shot on the turn, but it lacks direction and flies wide.
36 – Norwich have the ball in the net when Hanley heads Nunez’ cross home, but the City captain is ruled offside.
37 – Aarons tries a shot from distance after some patient build-up play, but it drifts harmlessly wide.
45+3 – Gibbs slips the ball through for Sargent, who can’t beat Bachmann from a tight angle.
Half time – Norwich City 0-0 Watford
51 – Gunn and Gibson somehow combine to clear after Morris’ cross should have been converted by Sarr.
70 – Pukki’s flick allows Sara to tee-up Nunez, but he drags wide from the edge of the box.
71 – Sara sends Sargent through, but he lifts over the bar as he collides with Bachmann.
79 - Idah's off-balance strike from distance flies just wide of the far post.
82 - Pukki finds Sara on the edge of the box, but the Brazilian curls just wide.
85 - Asprilla's effort from the edge of the box curls just wide.
86 - GOAL WATFORD (Bayo): Watford counter and find Sarr on the left. He squares for Bayo, who taps into an empty net.
Full time - Norwich City 0-1 Watford
PLAYER RATINGS
Gunn 7, Aarons 6, Hanley 7, Gibson 4, McCallum 5, Gibbs 6, Nunez 4, Sara 6, Idah 6, Pukki 6, Sargent 5. Substitutes: Omobamidele 5
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 60pc-40pc
Shots: 15-12
On target: 1-3
Corners: 8-3
Fouls: 9-17
Added-on time: 7 mins/9 mins
REFEREE: James Linington
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