Summary

  • Watford beat Championship leaders Norwich in late game

  • Canaries remain four points clear at top of table

  • New Watford boss Xisco Munoz in charge for first time

  • Swansea won 2-0 at QPR to go second earlier on Boxing Day

  • Derby conceded in 96th minute as Preston ended Rooney's unbeaten run as boss

  1. Goodbyepublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2020

    FT: Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Xisco MunozImage source, Getty Images

    That's us done for the day, and what a day it's been.

    Boxing Day never disappoints, and while it's a shame not to have had fans at most of the games, I'm sure we can all agree how great it is that football continues to be played.

    We'll be back for your next dose of EFL action on Tuesday - thanks for joining us.

  2. How the table lookspublished at 21:46 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2020

    FT: Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Top six tableImage source, BBC Sport

    Watford are back up to fifth, where they started the day, but are now just two points from an automatic promotion spot - not a bad platform for new boss Xisco Munoz to build on.

    Norwich will be kicking themselves at spurning the chance to go seven points clear at the top, and Bournemouth will be just two points behind them if they win their game in hand.

  3. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:40 Greenwich Mean Time 26 December 2020

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    New Watford head coach Xisco Munoz wins his first game in charge as leaders Norwich lose for the first time in six games.

    Ismaila Sarr's first-half goal proved to be the matchwinner as Norwich struggled to create clear-cut chances.

    But Daniel Farke's side are still four points clear at the top of the Championship.

  4. Postpublished at 90+5 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    And now Emi Buendia scuffs a shot wide from just outside the box.

    It's not going to be Norwich's night, I don't think.

  5. Postpublished at 90+5 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Emi Buendia beats a couple Watford defenders and finds Max Aarons in the box but the Norwich full-back loses his footing at the vital moment.

    Into the last 60 seconds.

  6. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Eventually Watford do opt to run the clock down and they've won a useful corner.

  7. Postpublished at 90+2 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Norwich are trying to do everything through the middle but it's so congested.

    Watford keeper Ben Foster catches a Josh Martin cross and somewhat surprisingly rolls the ball straight out, rather than wasting a few seconds.

  8. INJURY TIMEpublished at 90+1 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Watford v NorwichImage source, Getty Images

    New Watford head coach Xisco Munoz is nervously chewing gum on the touchline but he must be so proud of his players.

    They're five minutes of stoppage time away from beating the Championship leaders.

  9. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Storm Bella is arriving at Vicarage Road as we approach the 90 minute mark.

    Norwich continue to try to unlock the Watford defence but time is running out.

  10. Postpublished at 88 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Norwich are getting into some better attacking areas but still aren't testing Ben Foster.

    The Canaries are probing but most of their play is in front of the Watford wall.

    Hornets sub Will Hughes is booked for pulling back Emi Buendia, while Norwich have brought on Josh Martin and Lukas Rupp as Daniel Farke rolls the dice one last time.

  11. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 86 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Watford make their final two changes as they look to see out the victory.

    Marc Navarro replaces fellow Spaniard Kiko Femenia while Nathaniel Chalobah is on for Etienne Capoue, who was on a yellow.

  12. Postpublished at 84 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    At the other end Norwich's Christoph Zimmerman underhits a backpass but Watford sub Stipe Perica can't quite round the keeper to make it 2-0.

    A let-off for the visitors.

  13. PENALTY APPEALpublished at 83 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Teemu Pukki is played in on goal but can't sort his feet and has the ball taken away from him by an excellent Adam Masina tackle.

    Some Norwich players want a penalty but the referee is right to ignore the protests.

    It was some through ball from Mario Vrancic to put Pukki in.

  14. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    And another foul from Ismaila Sarr. The Watford goalscorer is on his final warning now.

    Surely Xisco Munoz must be thinking about taking him off? The last thing he'll want is to have to see this game out with 10 men.

  15. YELLOW CARDpublished at 79 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Watford forward Ismaila Sarr flings an arm into the face of Teemu Pukki and is booked as a result.

    Moments later he concedes another foul and Norwich have a chance to put the ball into the box.

  16. PENALTY APPEALpublished at 77 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    On first viewing that looked a Norwich penalty to me, but Ben Wilmot gets the ball as he challenges Teemu Pukki in the box.

    To be fair to Pukki, he didn't appeal or make a fuss.

    Norwich are looking a bit better now as we enter the final 14 minutes.

  17. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 74 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Two more changes for Watford - Andre Gray has put a shift in and makes way for Croatian Stips Perica.

    There's also a change in midfield as Will Hughes make a return to action in place of Tom Cleverley.

  18. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Maybe the game is opening up a bit now...

    Emi Buendia has more space than he's had all game for Norwich and sees his shot from 25 yards well held by Ben Foster.

  19. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Norwich make a rare foray into the Watford box - the ball falls to Jordan Hugill at the byline and he wins a corner, which is thumped clear.

    Still no chances of note for the league leaders.

  20. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 70 mins

    Watford 1-0 Norwich

    Watford's turn to use their bench.

    Adam Masina replaces Jeremy Ngakia - quite rightly Xisco Munoz is reluctant to change too much at the moment.