Watford 2-1 Norwich City: Slaven Bilic's Hornets hang on to see off Canaries

Imran Louza scored Watford's first goal within five minutes of missing a penalty

Imran Louza and Keinan Davis scored for Watford as the Hornets bounced back from two straight defeats to beat Norwich City and move back within two points of the Championship play-off places.

Louza had a penalty saved before putting the hosts in front - and Davis, up against his old Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, then doubled Watford's lead.

Although Josh Sargent got a cheeky goal back on the stroke of half-time, there were no more goals after the break as Watford held on.

Watford's victory in the tight tussle means Slaven Bilic capped off his second win in four games since he took charge at the club.

Davis and Ismaila Sarr had already both tested recalled Norwich keeper Angus Gunn before Watford had their best chance to edge ahead on 13 minutes.

From Hassane Kamara's clever little chipped pass, Sarr got goalside of Liam Gibbs and, in the resulting flurry of arms that followed, the Watford man fell to ground.

Louza's left-footed penalty was well struck to the Norwich keeper's left but it was at a good height - and Gunn made a fine save.

But, within five minutes, the Watford penalty taker, who has an FA charge for spitting at an opponent hanging over him, scored.

The irrepressible Sarr cut inside out on the left, switched the ball on his right foot and floated over a cross to Louza on the right corner of the six-yard box and he cleverly steered home a first-time left-foot finish on the half volley.

Imran Louza has scored once in three games so far this season

Norwich then had a double chance when Kieran Dowell shot fiercely at the keeper and Max Aarons screwed his right-foot shot across the face of goal.

But, on 31 minutes, the Watford lead was doubled.

Sarr tricked his way into the box on the left with brilliant skill, Andrew Omobamidele could only half clear and, although Yaser Asprilla miscued his shot it went to the unmarked Davis.

Although the ball caught him slightly off balance and it got stuck under his feet, he was allowed a frightening among of time to readjust himself before planting a low left-foot finish to the left of Gunn.

The Norwich keeper then needed another good save to keep out a low left-foot shot from Davis in a scramble before the Canaries got one back bang on half-time.

Sargent found space on the left only to be close down by Dan Gosling, but he cheekily nutmegged the makeshift Watford right-back and that did enough to fox the partially unsighted Daniel Bachmann, who was beaten at his near post.

With fit-again Newcastle loan man Isaac Hayden on for Gibbs at half-time for his delayed debut and Gabriel Sara replacing Marcelino Nunez, the second half was much quieter.

But, although Sargent had the ball in the net in the 52nd minute, only for an offside flag against Teemu Pukki, and skipper Grant Hanley hit the bar, the Canaries could not cash in on their improvement.

Who's next?

Norwich's second straight defeat drops them to third, thanks to Burnley's hammering of Swansea earlier in the day allowing them to displace Sheffield United on top.

The Canaries now host Luton on Tuesday night, while Watford, who are 10th and just five points off top spot, are back in action on Wednesday evening at Millwall.

Watford manager Slaven Bilic:

"Imran Louza is that kind of character. The penalty didn't affect him.

"If you want to control the game you need somebody like him. He was also amazing in his defensive work.

"The intensity was great. It was like a cup final. We were so front-footed without the ball. With it, we stretched it. Our first idea was to get the ball forward. The first half could have been three or four-nil.

"It's a drop in the ocean but you have to use this as your blueprint. Norwich were joint top of the table."

Norwich City manager Dean Smith told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"I was annoyed with our first-half performance. We knew they'd lost their last two and might come at us. But, after the penalty save, they won the fight - and the battles on the pitch.

"Their second goal summed up that 30-minute performance. I know the lad shanked it a bit and it dropped to their player, but we just didn't get close enough.

"We knew it would be tough and physical coming here. We thought we could cope with that and out-football them.

"But we had to change it at half time, bringing on Isaac Hayden ahead of schedule and Gabby Sara. The impetus changed but it's always very hard turning round a two-goal deficit."