Norwich City 4-1 Watford: Paddy Davitt Championship ratings

Sensed the danger to race from his line and produce a smothering stop to foil Kwadwo Baah in the midst of a nervy home spell, despite the Canaries leading 3-1. Appeared to get a touch to a Giorgi Chakvetadze effort in the 80th minute.

Excellent sweeping up outside his area midway through the opening period to stop Daniel Jebbison. Secure handling from the same player diving to his knees in the 38th minute.

Big day for the young full back in a first league start since December 2023. Offered that counter-point in an inverted role to help release both Callum Doyle and Ante Crnac on occasion. Snapped into a challenge on Rocco Vata to halt a counter.

Not able to get close enough to Ken Sema to cut out the stood up cross for Ryan Andrews’ equaliser. First time pass into Borja Sainz to release Josh Sargent. Fine far post positioning to cut out a dangerous Baah cross.

Another solid shift with the added responsibility of easing Jose Cordoba into his Championship stride. Excellent block to divert Vata’s initial shot against the far post in the first phase of Watford’s equaliser.

Looping header nestled on the roof of the net from Marcelino Nunez’s corner. No-nonsense aerial challenge allowed Kenny McLean to release Sargent in the 73rd minute, who dragged wide.

Robust in his one-on-one work and a spirit of adventure to spring forward in possession. Fine full league debut, bar being left by Vata’s clever turn and strike in the build up to Watford leveller. Levered Jebbison off the ball with a cool step over to complete his work in the second minute.

On the way down when he rose to meet Nunez’s free kick wide on the right. Exchanged passes with Doyle but his cross was collected by Jonathan Bond.

Another buccaneering run down the left flank and link play with Sainz came to nothing in the final minute of the opening period. Brave sliding block near his goal line on Ryan Porteous earned back slaps from Angus Gunn and Shane Duffy.

Raising an already high bar again with a thunderous finish after advancing past Chakevtadze to unleash a swerving strike that simply appeared to beat Daniel Bachmann for power. A more advanced position allowed him to thread inviting crosses towards the back post.

First for Ante Crnac, and then a near post delivery met by a stooping Sargent. Very fortunate to escape when Chakvetadze’s corner came through a mass of bodies but squirmed through his legs and clipped the post, before Jebbison slashed the follow up wide.

Raced away down the left onto Kenny McLean’s pass before a cut back finished superbly by Nunez.

Two assists, the second a peach of a raking pass dropped over the top for Sainz, and also conjured the ball into the channel for Doyle to find Nunez for Norwich’s third.

Early on a trademark near post run saw him meet Nunez’s corner but glance a header into the side netting. Threaded another perfect ball to Sargent in the 73rd minute, but the American pulled his angled shot.

Rising to the challenge under Thorup’s instruction. Set pieces a constant source of potential goals but his own finish was majestic as he timed his run and then let the pace on Doyle’s cross allow the ball to run across his body, before a right footed cushioned finish into the opposite corner.

Sparked the first move for the hosts when he picked out the overlapping Sainz who crossed for Sargent to be denied by Bachmann. Then a corner for McLean to head wide before Cordoba and Duffy were unable to keep their efforts under the bar.

Slammed a free kick against the wall from 18 yards in the 50th minute but no mistake a few minutes later. Also played his part in that 20-pass move that brought a fourth home goal.

Looked far better in a central midfield three on that left-hand side around Doyle and Sainz. Full of running in the 21st minute when he tracked Sainz’s initial burst and collected the rebound but Mattie Pollock’s perfectly-timed challenged halted the young Dane.

Drifting pass released Sainz who ran on and finished but the assistant’s flag was up. Did enough to ensure the off-balance Chakvetadze skies over on the half-hour mark.

Best moment came in the 48th minute when he squared up James Morris on a dart across the 18 yard line before a left footed, low effort Bond clawed around his post.

A touch on his heels in the eighth minute when Doyle clipped a ball to the back post. Aimless ball infield sparked a Watford counter but Jose Cordoba recovered the situation.

A nearly day again for the US international in front of goal. Denied from six yards out by the sprawling Bachmann at his back post. Tremendous work ethic to track back and halt Chakvetadze on the counter.

Stooping near post header wide from Doyle set. Lovely pivot from Sainz set him free to work the space but tamely find Bond. Choked a left footer from the edge the box from Sainz’s dart. Should hit the target in the 73rd minute when released by McLean. But timed his slip pass for Jack Stacey to square for Ben Chrisene.

Composed finish guided just inside the near post after drawing the advancing Bond. The nature of his goal celebration may have been a nod to perceived criticism from sections of the travelling support the previous weekend, after spurning a number of chances at Swansea. Lively throughout in general play.

Squared for Sargent two minutes in, who was thwarted by Bachmann. Slotted in the 24th minute but ruled offside. Never broke stride to control McLean’s raking lob to put Norwich back in front.

Two attempts to get a shot away but could only find the side netting seconds after the restart. Led a promising counter in the 70th minute but shifted it to his right and then miskicked his effort.

Amankwah Forson (for Schwartau, 63)               5

Tracked back deep into his own area to cut out Andrews' centre.

Jack Stacey (for Fisher, 78)                       n/a

Guided the final pass of a 20-pass move towards Ben Chrisene to finish.

Onel Hernandez (for Crnac, 78)                n/a

Forced to depart seven minutes into substitute appearance with a suspected hamstring issue. Dragged the ball back onto his right but saw a shot blocked.

Ben Chrisene (for Sainz, 85)                      n/a

Continued his run into the area to arrive unmarked to finish a prolonged spell of City keep ball.

Kaide Gordon (for Hernandez, 85)                       n/a