WATFORD'S young Hornets showed their worth this evening in front of the television cameras as they beat Norwich City 3-2 at Carrow Road.

It was an accomplished performance from Malky Mackay's young team and it will give them plenty of confidence for the season ahead.

The goals were scored by the older guard though. John Eustace started the scoring and then in-form striker Danny Graham added two more.

Norwich came out strong after the break following a below-par first half performance but Watford were single-minded until the end and fully deserved the three points.

The football season was upon us once more and the Golden Boys from Hertfordshire were playing their part in the Football League curtain raiser in East Anglia.

Live across the nation and around the world, Malky's men were under the watchful eye of critics and armchair supporters.

There were no major surprises in the starting XI - Martin Taylor returned after missing last weekend's pre-season friendly with Charlton.

Troy Deeney was signed in time from Walsall to be able to play a part in tonight's game. He was named amongst the seven subs and handed shirt number 9.

Carrow Road was full leading up to kick-off and there was plenty of optimism amongst the home supporters.

The Canaries contained a host of new signings amongst their team. Striker Grant Holt, who had earlier in the day missed a trial, was named on the bench for the hosts.

There was a fantastic atmosphere in Carrow Road for the early part of the game.

The first shot of the new season went to Watford captain Eustace who lashed at goal from the best part of 30 yards, it came after a quick throw in from Danny Graham had handed the 'Orns possession.

The game then sprung to life as Simeon Jackson had a golden opportunity to open the scores two minutes later for the hosts.

He ended up directing his shot towards Scott Loach in the 'Orns goal - but it could have easily been different and he should have really taken his chance to score the first goal of the English season.

Then with eight minutes on the clock the Golden Boys created another good opening.

Adrian Mariappa's long throw caused danger in the home penalty box and the ball was directed back out to the right flank thanks to captain Eustace.

Mariappa looked to have struck his cross too hard but Graham pealed off his man and made a great connection at the far post.

Unfortunately he couldn't keep his effort down as it ballooned over the bar.

Watford certainly looked sharp going forward and but for a couple of mistimed passes both Buckley and Sordell could have been played in.

The positive start paid off though with less than 15 minutes on the clock.

On 14 minutes the Golden Boys took to the lead much to the delight of the travelling supporters .

Don Cowie's short corner was played to Buckley as the Norwich defenders were sleeping.

The former Rochdale man swept the ball back out wide and Cowie's deep cross found Eustace in the box.

He coolly chested it down and swept the ball past John Ruddy and beat the 'keeper at his near post.

The captain was already off celebrating and headed straight to the travelling contingent.

Loach came to the rescue for the Golden Boys on 22 minutes to deny Surman's stunning curling drive.

The Hornets were still itching to get forward whenever they could and Malky's boys were flying high in the 23rd minute.

Graham finished the move with a splendid finish past Ruddy.

The forward had started the move with a neat chest down to his strike partner Sordell, and the youngster intelligently found the former Carlisle man and he continued where he left off in pre-season by making no mistake in front of goal.

The Golden Boys were now in the groove going forward and shell-shocked Norwich couldn't handle the plucky visitors.

Another neat move, again involving Sordell, found Buckley in the six yard box on the half hour mark.

He quickly spun round and his low effort was held on to by Ruddy in the home net.

Two minutes later Buckley was brought down en-route to the penalty box and Graham's resulting free kick hit a home defender and went behind for a corner kick.

Norwich were largely kept at bay by the Golden Boys who were standing strong in defence.

But there was a late surge in the first half. Four minutes from time Jackson wriggled free and lashed at goal but he couldn't beat Loach and instead hit the side-netting.

Two minutes later Chris Martin sent a header wide of Loach's goal as the home side did all they could to grab a goal back before the interval. There was no way past though as the 'Orns went in two goals to the good.

Norwich came and ready to attack Watford and they did just that at the start of the second period.

Early on they were largely frustrated by the Golden Boys who hadn't ignored their attacking style as Buckley ran at City and hit a drive over the home bar.

A free-flowing move did get the home side back in the game on 52 minutes as midfielder Crofts finished a neat attacking.

He was free on the right of the box as players were dragged to the other side of the pitch, Jackson's quick back heel set him up and he finished with style past Loach to half the lead.

On 55 minutes Jackson's fiercely struck strike smashed Taylor in the face as the 'Orns were hanging on to stop the Canaries from grabbing a second.

Watford should have really put two goals between them and Norwich once more in the 58 minute after a sweet cross from Buckley on the Hornets' right flank.

He picked out Mariappa who had moved forward earlier after a free-kick, but just a few yards from goal he could only direct his header the wrong side of the post.

On 69 minutes and with rain lashing down over Carrow Road, Loach had to be careful to make sure he got both gloves to David Fox's low rasping drive from outside the box.

There was still an excellent atmosphere inside the ground as the home fans continued to urge their team on.

That was increased in the 71st minute as Holt was brought on in place of the lively Jackson.

Norwich's number 9 was given a loud welcome as the Canaries started to send more balls into the Watford box.

Taylor was in commanding form in the air though and was equal to everything the newly promoted side were throwing at him.

Taylor was at his best low down as well as he slid in bravely to deny Hoolahan a ball through in the middle of the Watford penalty box.

Tricky midfielder Hoolahan was having an increasing role for the Canaries as he kept on chipping away at the 'Orns.

His excellent curling ball in from the left side picked out Holt and his bullet header just evaded Loach's post.

Nine minutes from time the Golden Boys fought back against the pressure from the Canaries and extended their lead.

Stephen McGinn coolly sent the ball forward after Norwich cleared their lines.

Graham had stayed on side and he entered the penalty area and placed an excellent shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

Norwich complained to the referee but television replays showed Graham was certainly onside. 

The home side kept on plugging away but the 'Orns were great value for the points tonight, although Nelson's goal on full time gave the home side hope, but the Hornets kept strong and collected maximum points.

NORWICH CITY: Ruddy; R Martin, Nelson (c), Ward, Drury; Hoolahan, Crofts, Fox, Surman; C Martin, Jackson (Holt 71). Subs not used: Rudd (gk), Smith, Lappin, Johnson, McNamee, Berthel Askou. 

WATFORD: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, Taylor, Doyley; McGinn, Eustace, Buckley (Jenkins 58), Cowie; Graham, Sordell (Deeney 58). Subs not used: Gilmartin, Bryan, Henderson, Oshodi, Mingoia.

SCORERS: NORWICH CITY; Crofts, Nelson (90). WATFORD; Eustace (14), Graham (23, 81).

BOOKINGS: NORWICH CITY; none. WATFORD; Cowie (21 ungentlemanly conduct).

SENDINGS OFF: NORWICH CITY; none. WATFORD; none.

ATTENDANCE: 24,348

REFEREE: Mr N Miller.