Watford 0-1 Norwich City: Paddy Davitt Championship ratings.
Paddy Davitt likes Johannes Hoff Thorup’s Norwich City, who beat Watford to improve their Championship play-off chances.
Angus Gunn 7
He became entangled in one of the many discussion points as he sprinted off his line to boldly challenge Giorgi Chakvetadze with a dive at his feet. The opposition coaches perceived the event extremely differently.
When Vakoun Bayo’s header rested on the top of his net early in the first half, he needed a lucky break. Dropped a goalbound angled shot from Ryan Andrews that veered inside his near post. Alert to sprint from his line in the 81st minute to chop clear before Chakvetadze could capitalize on a swift home counter.
Kellen Fisher 8
Thorup later singled out the individual for particular note. When Jacob Sorensen left, this versatile footballer was forced to play in midfield.
In the 20th minute, a well timed sliding challenge denied Chakvetadze as he approached the Norwich box. Bayo rose unmarked and headed barely over after Lewis Dobbin failed to track Andrews’ initial run.
Shane Duffy 7.
Watford corners produced two powerful early clearing headers. Then they attempted a Kenny McLean set piece, but the header back across goal was cleared.
The Irishman used his expertise to keep his younger teammates calm following Bayo’s first-half red card, as the home supporters became agitated due to perceived unfairness.
Callum Doyle 7
Provides a natural left-sided balance for effortlessly switching the point of City’s deep buildup periods. Signs of a solid relationship are developing with another kid, Lucien Mahovo.
When City acquired a numerical advantage, they were given greater flexibility to go into midfield and connect the dots. In the 59th minute, a lovely one-touch pass found Emi Marcondes, who supplied Oscar Schwartau for a corner.
Lucien Mahovo 8
Examine this lad’s birth certificate. He made his first away start against Watford captain Moussa Sissoko, a seasoned former Premier League player. Took it in stride and played an important part in the match-winner.
Reacted quickly, contorting his body to fire a half-volley on goal that Jonathan Bond could only deflect toward Josh Sargent. Two minutes in, Sargent’s attempt to direct his effort back across goal was denied by a remarkable reaction stop.
His soaring confidence was highlighted in the 27th minute as he sent a precise long diagonal into Schwartau. Not unexpectedly, the tank ran out before the conclusion and was replaced by Ben Chrisene.
Kenny McLean (C): 7
Simple yet efficient midfield pivot as City attempted to game manage their way to victory in the second half.
I could see him arranging his teammates at every chance. Over-clubbed an early ball for the raiding Dobbin. Then he picked out Duffy during a pre-planned deep corner drill. In the 16th minute, Mattie Pollock sliced over his own crossbar.
In the second half, he made a defensive mistake by dallying on the outside of his own box, allowing Watford to recycle before Edo Kayembe skied over.
Emi Marcondes 8.
Definitely not on Tom Cleverley’s holiday card list. Bayo’s lash out while defending a corner led to a red card. His deflection free kick was finally converted by Sargent.
Seven minutes in, he linked with the American to pick out Dobbin, who missed his initial attempt from the outside of the box. Sorensen headed goalward from a corner kick before Bond crossed his line and turned around the post.
Sargent’s late back heel unleashed the striker, who was upended by Andrews. Thorup should have shown a second home red card for this incident. Struck another swerving free kick narrowly over from 18 yards.
Jacob Sorensen 7
It was only the Dane’s second league start since November 26 of last year, but he worked effectively with Kenny McLean in the deeper midfield role, allowing Marcondes to push farther forward. A switch to the overlapping Mahovo in the second minute resulted in a great Sargent chance.
Then he was thwarted by a great sprawling Bond stop after colliding with a Marcondes corner. After Shane Duffy coughed up a cheap mistake, Vital used near post screening to make the interception.
He used all of his expertise late in the game to break up the game by getting his body in front of Tom Dele-Bashiru and earning a pressure-relieving free kick.
Oscar Schwartau 7
Have boots and can play anyplace. Started on the right, finished on the left of the attacking three, and was able to bring himself into some middle areas. In the 13th minute, I threaded a pass through to Sargent, earning a corner kick.
Then he clipped in an appealing ball, which was attacked first by Sargent before rebounding to Dobbin, who got a terrible looking blow from Pollock. Jack Stacey’s 80th-minute deep cross was headed down but beyond the far post.
Norwich City’s match-winning goal against Watford came from Josh Sargent.(Image by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd.)Josh Sargent 8
In a tight game, a good striker may make the difference. Norwich has one of the top players at this level. An eighth goal of the season and a 12th goal contribution in 16 league games, all following groin surgery.
Striker’s instinct to mimic Mahovo’s original snap shot for an easy slot. Bond’s legs prevented him from scoring two minutes in, despite the obvious opportunity. Burst through again in the 77th minute before being brutally upended by Andrews.
Lewis Dobbin 6
Very brilliant in the opening 20 minutes, but lacked threat after being checked by the physios following Pollock’s heavy block tackle. His dart in the second minute triggered the phase of play in which Mahovo picked up Sargent.
He landed brilliantly on a Marcondes roll, but his right footed attempt failed. Bayo failed to monitor Andrews’ run at the opposite end, resulting in a big headed opportunity.
Subs
Ante Crnac (for Dobbin, 69): 5.
Jack Stacey (For Sorensen, 75): 6
A pinpoint cross to the far post allows Schwartau to guide a header down, but wide.
Brad Hills (for Mahovo, 84): n/a.
Ben Chrisene (for Sargent, 84): n/a.
Norwich City’s travelling support enjoyed their trip to Vicarage Road. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
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