Josh Sargent's season has been marred by injury but the American has scored seven league goals in 14 starts
Fit-again striker Josh Sargent once again proved his value to Norwich City as his third goal in two games secured back-to-back victories and consigned 10-man Watford to a fourth consecutive Championship home defeat.
The Canaries wasted a series of chances in the first half, most notably when Sargent shot straight at goalkeeper Jonathan Bond from close range after just 65 seconds.
But Sargent made amends four minutes before the interval, tapping the ball in from close range as the visitors finally scored with their 14th attempt of a dominant first half.
The goal compounded a miserable few minutes for the Hornets - and in particular top scorer Vakoun Bayo, who missed a glorious headed opportunity before seeing red for stupidly shoving over Emi Marcondes.
Watford, who also twice went close through Giorgi Chakvetadze in the first 45 minutes, responded commendably in the second half, showing good tempo and taking chances with a high press.
However, they could not find a way through to avoid a sixth defeat in eight league games and Norwich were able to see out a fourth win in six league matches to move a point above their hosts.
Impressive as Watford's second-half response with 10 men was, they failed to create many clear chances and could easily have been trailing by more at the break.
Sargent's surprising miss, after great work by Lucien Mahovo, set the tone as the Canaries took control and threatened - both through slick interplay and crisp passing and from set-pieces.
Defender Shane Duffy twice went close from corners, and Jacob Sorensen also had a header well saved by Bond.
But Bayo's red card came at pivotal time and proved a game-changer, soon after the clearly riled striker felt he should have had a penalty - and after he headed over from close range from a delightful right-wing centre by Ryan Andrews.
The decision incensed Hornets boss Tom Cleverley, who had already been cautioned for complaining about the ignored penalty shouts for his side.
Cleverely's fury increased as Bayo was sent off, a contentious decision that could have resulted in a yellow, but equally, gave referee Lewis Smith every justification to show red.
Sargent's seventh goal of an injury-interrupted season was all the Canaries needed despite a fired-up Watford having the better of the second half in which Norwich's first attempt on goal did not come until a Marcondes free-kick went just over with 12 minutes to go.
Watford boss Tom Cleverley:
"Unfortunately the referee has been played. I thought Norwich were good at the dark arts. Every time someone made contact with their players they fell to the ground.
"I can't justify Bayo's reaction. He knows he's let his team-mates down. He's pushed Marcondes in his chest - and it's a disappointing reaction from him.
"If you counted the amount of times Marcondes fell to the floor you'd have a decent tally.
"I'm proud of my players. We've reduced them to very little. The work-rate and togetherness and spirit was excellent."
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup:
"It was hard fought, but I'm pleased with the first half. I was really pleased with the start of the game.
"We were good and we were dominant. We should have been one-nil up after two minutes. It was a big chance for Sarge.
"After the red card the game changed a little bit. We should have done better in the second half. We were caught a little bit in-between whether to chase the second goal or whether we should just control the game.
"I'm pleased that we really didn't give anything away, but I'm not so pleased with the amount of chances we created."
