SUITS YOU, SARR
Ismaila hits winner to topple the Canaries
ISMAILA SARR hit the Watford winner as new boss Xisco Munoz delivered on his promise.
Spaniard Munoz (right) arrived in English football this week determined to bring attacking football back to Vicarage Road.
And the Hornets’ fifth permanent boss since the start of last season was as good as his word.
Watford, so often dull and streaky this term, were a joy to watch as they stunned the league leaders with Sarr’s first half effort settling things.
Xisco’s antics on the touchline were a far cry from his emotionless predecessor Vladimir Ivic too.
And it took the noisy former Dinamo Tbilisi boss less than two minutes to earn himself a ticking off from fourth official Gavin Ward for moving out of his technical area.
On the field, Watford were matching the liveliness of their new manager.
Andre Gray’s energy was adding much to the Hornets attack and he missed an open goal, volleying over after Sarr’s pull back had deflected into his path.
It appeared as if the e shackles were off following wing
Ivic’s over-reliance on n the defensive side of f the game.
And captain Troy
Deeney, who was dropped last week in the Serbian’s final act, seemed to be enjoying g life on his return to the he side too.
But Etienne Capoue was lucky not to see red as caught Emi Buendia’s Achilles with his studs.
Norwich found life tough in attack despite a reasonable spell midway through the first half as Kieran Dowell saw a free kick comfortably held by Ben Foster while
Kenny McLean fired harmlessly over.
Watford went on to take the lead six minutes before the break as Sarr buried from close range from Ken Sema’s inch-perfect cross.
It was only Sarr’s fourth goal of a quiet se season.
A And Xisco should ha have been celebrating a second Watford goal shortly before half-time as Gray missed another sitter blazing over after Deeney’s pass had fallen perfectly to him.
The Canaries were not enjoying Watford’s newfound high energy approach.
Watford’s Tom Cleverley saw a powerful drive deflected wide at the start of the second half.
While Todd Cantwell shooting embarrassingly well wide of the post seemed to sum up Norwich’s attacking endeavours. At the other end, Watford continued to threaten with Sarr seeing a shot deflected wide from another Sema cross.
Norwich brought on Mario Vrancic and Jordan Hugill in an effort to find a goal.
And they came close to finding it as Teemu Pukki was denied by a superb last- ditch tackle by sub Adam Masina.
But despite their disappointment, Daniel Farke’s men are still four points clear at the top.
Foster 6; Femenia 7 (Navarro 85, 6), Sierralta 6, Wilmot 6, Ngakia 6 (Masina 69, 7); Sarr 8, Capoue 7 (Chalobah 85, 6), Cleverley 7 (Hughes 74, 6), Sema 7; Gray 7 (Perica 74, 6), Deeney 6.
Bachmann, Garner, Hungbo, Crichlow. McGovern 6; Aarons 6, Hanley 6, Zimmermann 6 (Martin 87), Sorensen 5 (Gibson 67, 6); McLean 6 (Rupp 87), Skipp 6; Buendia 6, Dowell 6 (Vrancic 67, 6), Cantwell 5 (Hugill 67, 6); Pukki 5.
Barden, Quintilla, Tettey, Omotoye.
Ismaila Sarr. His energy summed up a vastly improved attacking display from Watford. REFEREE: John Brooks 7.