FootyChatter.com

Marcelino Nunez celebrates with Norwich City team-mates after scoring their second goal Josh Sargent showed just why Norwich are keen to keep hold of their highly prized striker by kick-starting a 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Watford. The Canaries are fending off interest in the 25-year-old from Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg and Premier League sides Burnley and Leeds. And he showed just how badly he would be missed with a sweetly taken opener and a powerful all-round display as Norwich edged into the EFL Cup second round. The Canaries doubled their lead on 24 minutes when Marcelino Nunez forced a mistake from Watford keeper Egil Selvik with a fizzing shot from 30 yards. And while Kwadwo Baah ensured it was not all plain sailing, scoring six minutes after coming on as second-half substitute, Norwich had enough in the tank to register a fourth consecutive win over Watford in all competitions. Sargent's calm finish, slotting home from 12 yards after smart work and a cutback from Pape Diallo on the left flank, was his second of the campaign. It was also a sixth against Watford and a 50th goal in a Norwich shirt. Nunez's long-range effort, which found the back of the net with a little help from the normally reliable Selvik, delivered some breathing space. Sargent might have added a second 10 minutes after the break, whipping a low shot from the edge of the penalty area narrowly wide. As it was, Watford ensured the visitors' nerves frayed towards the end of the contest after substitute Baah halved the deficit. The winger had only been on the field six minutes before turning the routine into a nail-biter, cutting into the area from the left and finding the net inside the far post. Yet for all the late pressure the Hornets built with a succession of corners as the clock ticked down, two-time EFL Cup winners Norwich withstood the barrage to book a second-round spot. This video can not be played Paulo Pezzolano: "The lack of energy we'll never accept" (BBC Three Counties Radio) Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Manager: Paulo Pezzolano Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Liam Manning Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Paulo Pezzolano Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Liam Manning Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 League Cup All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, Watford 1, Norwich City 2. Second Half ends, Watford 1, Norwich City 2. Jeffrey Schlupp (Norwich City) wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Hector Kyprianou (Watford). Attempt missed. Kévin Keben (Watford) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Imrân Louza with a cross following a corner. Corner, Watford. Conceded by Jakov Medic. Foul by Jacob Wright (Norwich City). Hector Kyprianou (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Matej Jurásek (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Imrân Louza (Watford). Corner, Watford. Conceded by Jacob Wright. Attempt blocked. Marc Bola (Watford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Foul by Emiliano Marcondes (Norwich City). Nestory Irankunda (Watford) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Ben Chrisene (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Jeremy Ngakia (Watford). Offside, Norwich City. Jovon Makama is caught offside. Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Marc Bola. Attempt missed. Nestory Irankunda (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jeremy Ngakia following a corner. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.