Imrân Louza and Keinan Davis’ first-half goals secured a 2-1 victory against Norwich City in an entertaining Saturday evening encounter in the Sky Bet Championship under the floodlights at Vicarage Road.

Watford began the clash with poise and intent as Ismaïla Sarr was brought down by the Canaries’ Liam Gibbs inside the box earning the Hornets a spot-kick. Despite Louza being denied by an outstretched Angus Gunn from 12 yards, the Moroccan only used the disappointment as motivation as moments later he volleyed in the opener.

Before the half-hour mark, the Hornets were at it again as a composed Davis fired the ball into the bottom corner following a mazy run from Sarr to create the defensive chaos which enabled the forward to remain unmarked. However, just before the break, Josh Sargent would bring the visitors back into contention as he reduced the arrears by one.

The second half saw the Canaries’ pressure continue to build as captain Grant Hanley’s close-range strike clattered off the crossbar, although a combination of Watford’s work rate and the introduction of fresh legs ensured that the Hornets could hold on to their slender lead, securing victory.

Watford Head Coach Slaven Bilić made three changes following the 3-1 defeat at Blackpool. Christian Kabasele, Edo Kayembe and Vakoun Bayo made way for captain Craig Cathcart, Yáser Asprilla and Davis. João Pedro was also fit enough to occupy a place on the bench after missing the last three games due to injury.

The East Anglian outfit got the match underway and were the first side to have an effort on goal as Marcelino Núñez fired wide from outside the box – a warning shot to begin the proceedings from the visitors.

Watford soon returned with ammunition of their own as Davis twisted and turned in the box to fashion an opening following a neat through ball from Louza. The forward got a decent strike away from close range, but Norwich City’s goalkeeper Gunn was able to push it behind for a corner.

The resulting set-piece was smartly engineered by the Hornets as the ball fell to Sarr on the edge of the 18-yard box, but his curled effort was comfortably plucked out of the air by Gunn.

The early Hornets' pressure would eventually be too much for Norwich to handle as Hassane Kamara and Sarr combined well on the left-hand side. With the Senegalese international brought down by 19-year-old Gibbs inside the box after controlling the chipped through-ball, referee Darren England pointed to the spot.

Louza stepped up to take the penalty, but found his strike denied by Gunn who diverted it away with a strong left hand.

Just minutes later, the Moroccan wouldn’t be denied a second time though. The winner of the spot-kick, Sarr, delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post and Louza calmly volleyed the ball into the far corner, darting off to celebrate with the Watford faithful towards the Sir Elton John Stand.

The away side reacted promptly as Kieran Dowell hit a powerful effort at Daniel Bachmann, but the Austrian was equal to the effort and parried the ball away, with Max Aarons rolling the rebounded effort wide of the post.

Sarr, who had played a crucial part in the first goal, took on a vital role again in the second as he ran at the left-side of Norwich’s defence. Having won his battle with impeccable skill, the 24-year-old passed to Asprilla who inadvertently located Davis, with Watford’s number seven exhibiting impressive composure to pick out the bottom corner uncontested.

Just before the break, Norwich responded as Sargent fired his side back into the encounter with a neat finish into the bottom corner. The American cut inside from the left-hand flank and finished at Bachmann’s near post to give the Canaries hope heading into the interval.

The start of the second half saw Norwich continue to build on their positive conclusion to the opening period as Sargent once again had the ball in the back of the net. To Watford’s relief, the assistant referee ruled the potential equaliser out for offside.

Norwich City’s attacking pressure continued to mount as Hanley’s strike cannoned off the crossbar and away from danger, following Kenny McLean’s shot hitting the side-netting.

Bilić looked towards his substitutes to counter Norwich’s threat as the Croatian brought on João Pedro - his first appearance under the Head Coach.

The Brazilian’s first few touches would set up Sarr for an effort on Gunn’s goal, with the Norwich shot-stopper getting down well to deny the dynamic Senegalese winger from notching Watford’s third.

While the visitors remained eager to find an equaliser, Bilić’s Golden Boys were vigilant as Hanley and others tried their luck during a late assault on Bachmann’s goal. Likewise, when the Hornets could get a sight of a possible opportunity they came close as Ken Sema forced a decent stop from Gunn.

Ultimately, Watford ended a run of two successive defeats with a professional performance to earn victory against a high-flying Norwich City side.