Yáser Asprilla’s wonder goal was in vain as Watford slipped to a 4-2 defeat against Norwich City in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Canaries opened up a 2-0 lead at Carrow Road thanks to an Ashley Barnes goal and Josh Sargent’s rebounded penalty, but the visitors had hope when Mileta Rajović found the target shortly before the break.

Asprilla’s goal of the season contender levelled the game with the Hornets on top after the break, but with the visitors looking well placed to push for a winner it was Norwich who once again took control.

Gabriel Sara put the Canaries back in front and Christian Fassnacht added extra gloss to leave Watford wondering what might have been.

Valérien Ismaël made just one change from Saturday’s home defeat to Leicester City and it was an enforced one after Vakoun Bayo limped out of the Foxes clash with a hamstring injury after less than two minutes played.

Rajović was promoted from the bench to lead the line as the Hornets looked to continue their fine away form which had seen them go unbeaten in the last seven league games on their travels.

Edo Kayembe was named on the bench after recovering from an injury suffered at Plymouth Argyle on New Year’s Day.

Canaries captain Kenny McLean cleared the crossbar with an early shot, while at the other end a fantastic ball from Jake Livermore found Ismaël Koné well placed, only for the Canadian’s control with his chest to let him down.

On seven minutes, a flowing Norwich move led to Barnes steering a shot towards the top corner from a Dimitris Giannoulis cross, but Hornets keeper Ben Hamer dived at full stretch to tip it around the post.

Giorgi Chakvetadze’s clever chipped free-kick then found an unmarked Koné in the box, who was unable to direct a shot on target.

Barnes was booked following a collision with Ryan Porteous but was in the right place to put the hosts in front.

Onel Hernández powered past former Canary Jamal Lewis on the flank and floated over the perfect cross for Barnes to head home at the far post, with referee Stuart Atwell confirming it had crossed the line despite Hamer’s best efforts to keep it out.

Rajović did well to win the ball back in the box as the Hornets looked to respond but he was denied a clear shot on goal by some last-ditch defending.

It was a good reaction but the Hornets were quickly 2-0 behind after captain Wesley Hoedt, who was waiting for the ball to drop, caught his opposite number McLean after the Scotsman creeped in from behind him.

Sargent’s penalty was well saved by Hamer but the keeper was unlucky as he could not stop the Norwich man from heading in the rebound.

Watford had a good chance to respond when Rajović broke in a two-on-one situation but his pass which intended to put Matheus Martins clean through was blocked.

The Dane was to make amends with the decisive touch as the Hornets dragged themselves back into the game with three minutes to go before half-time.

Koné found Ken Sema with a precise pass through the eye of a needle, and the Swede’s cross was turned home by Rajović from close range.

It could have been even better for the Hornets after Koné pounced on a loose Borja Sainz pass and raced into the box.

The midfielder found Martins in a golden shooting position but the Brazilian took too long to get his effort away and Norwich were able to block.

Rajović saw a shot hit the wall after Sema’s whipped free-kick fell invitingly for him at the start of the second half.

A bursting run and cross from Martins then dropped to Sema following a miscued clearance, but his shot was well wide of the mark.

It was an excellent start to the half for Ismaël’s charges and Chakvetadze’s cross floated threateningly across the box without anyone nearby to get on the end of it.

A double change on the hour mark saw Ismaël replace both of his wide men with Emmanuel Dennis and Asprilla coming on for Sema and Martins.

A bizarre lofted back-pass from Sainz forced Norwich keeper Angus Gunn to head behind for a corner, with the stopper tumbling over the sponsorship boards in the process.

There was nothing comical about Asprilla’s leveller as the Colombian picked up the ball, took a few touches and sent a sensational strike past Gunn which found the net after kissing the woodwork.

The returning Kayembe came on for Chakvetadze with the Hornets having all of the momentum, but Norwich got themselves back in front against the run of play.

Barnes found Sara with a through ball and the Brazilian finished well across Hamer and into the far corner.

Norwich then took the game away from the Hornets as Jack Stacey’s cross was turned home by substitute Fassnacht.