Watford 4-1 Norwich

Helguson back in attack after a one-match ban

Watford fought back from an early setback to end a lean run with only their second victory in seven games, as Norwich crumbled to defeat.

The Hornets were a goal down after five minutes when Adrian Forbes climbed to dispatch a firm header into the back of the net following a cross from Steen Nedergaard.

Watford forged back into the attack with City's man-of-the-match Andy Marshall forced into a superb reaction save to turn over a shot from Tommy Mooney.

Watford equalised with a fine solo goal from Dutchman Nordin Wooter. He cut in from the right and went past three defenders before putting in a low shot which beat Marshall, going off the inside of his far post.

The home side continued to press, with Neil Cox's free-kick forcing another great save from the keeper, and moments later Mooney fired over the bar after Allan Nielsen appeared to be fouled in the penalty area.

Andy Marshall reserved his best save to prevent a Lee Marshall deflection going in to his own net. The defender had stuck out a foot to block a cross from Wooter but the keeper parried with a fine reaction save.

Mooney came in on the loose ball, but Marshall blocked again. He also saved from Paolo Vernazza and was relieved when Clint Easton sent a shot just over.

Watford recovered from the blow of losing Wooter with an ankle injury just before half-time and continued to press after the break.

Nielsen was twice denied by fine saves from Marshall and the keeper even got his hand to the ball when the Hornets took the lead.

Vernazza picked up the ball in midfield and slipped it to Tommy Smith, who ran against a retreating defence before unleashing a shot from just outside the edge of the box, which Marshall was unable to stop.

Watford went further ahead after 75 minutes. Smith won the ball back and broke forward, drawing defenders before slipping in Heidar Helguson to clip the ball past the keeper.

It continued to be one-way traffic with Mooney shooting just wide and seeing a reflex header go over the bar.

In the 85th minute Watford scored a fourth. Nielsen rounding off what Mooney had started, breaking clear in the box and scoring a simple goal.

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Watford: Baardsen, Easton, Cox, Robinson, Panayi, Ward, Vernazza, Nielsen, Mooney, Wooter, Smith. Subs: Chamberlain, Kennedy, Helguson, Perpetuini, Fisken.

Norwich: Andy Marshall, Sutch, Lee Marshall, Fleming, Jackson, Nedergaard, Mackay, Russell, Forbes, Llewellyn, Roberts. Subs: Green, de Blasiis, McVeigh, McGovern, Abbey.

Referee: A Kaye