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Boss Javi Gracia has guided Watford into the play-off places Vivaldo Semedo's late winner against Norwich moved Watford into the Championship play-off places. A game of few clear-cut chances looked to be heading for a draw until substitute Semedo found the back of the net with a deflected strike in the 90th minute. The result moved Javi Gracia's side up to sixth in the table following their third straight win, with their unbeaten run now stretching to six matches. Norwich remain in the relegation zone after their run of four games without defeat came to an end. Watford's Max Alleyne was denied by the post midway through the first half in an otherwise quiet opening 45 minutes at Carrow Road. The hosts were quick out of the blocks at the start of the second period and Josh Sargent's ball across the face of goal was excellently cut out by Marc Bola to prevent a tap-in. Sargent - in the starting XI at the expense of top scorer Jovon Makama - might have done better after latching onto Kenny Mc Lean's pass not long after the hour mark, but his low strike lacked power and was gratefully collected by Egil Selvik. Norwich goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic then came to his side's rescue with a smart stop to keep out Mattie Pollock's header from Tom Ince's corner. A draw might have been a fair result, but Watford's substitutes had other ideas as they combined for the winning goal, which owed much to Nestory Irankunda's superb assist. The winger's brilliant burst of pace took him past three Norwich defenders before he found Semedo inside the box. His shot took a telling deflection and found its way into the bottom corner. Makama nodded wide from close range deep into injury time as Norwich tried to force a leveller. Philippe Clement's team are now four points from safety. Watford boss Javi Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio: "I love working at Christmas! It's something I never thought that I could say. It's something amazing to get three wins in a row. "This spirit, the team with all the players involved as well, it's something to be proud of. "The most important [thing] is they believe they can do it, they believe the way they are training and they believe the way they are competing. This way they are much better as a team. " This video can not be played Gracia: 'They know they are part of something' Norwich City boss Philippe Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk: "The most horrible way [to lose]. It wasn't the most open, attractive game, because two teams defended really well. "We defended really well in our pressing to avoid that Watford could play their normal game with a lot of quality on the ball, a lot of possession. "You see also we have more possession than them in this game and we were also the team who made the best chances. "In the moment that you feel it's a good box match - two good boxers fighting with each other. We were pushing them back and they were in the ropes. "Then one transition where they were extremely lucky, because this ball isn't on target or [Vladan Kovacevic] is in the corner to make an easy save. Because of [the deflection] the ball ends up in the opposite corner. We were really unlucky today. " After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 29th December 2025 at 22: 08 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Philippe Clement Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Javier Gracia Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: Philippe Clement Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Javier Gracia Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions None of Norwich’s last 16 home league games against Watford have been drawn, with both sides winning eight each. The Canaries have won the last two, having lost four in a row before this. Watford have won 19 of their 33 league meetings with Norwich in the 21st century (D2 L12), two more than they managed in 74 meetings pre 2001 (W17 D27 L30). This is the first time Watford are facing an opponent twice in the same month in the league since October 2008 (W1 L1 vs Preston), while they last beat an opponent twice in a month in April 1974 (vs Port Vale). Norwich have won their final league game in just of the last 14 calendar years (D7 L6) and are winless in nine since beating Aston Villa 2-0 in 2015. When playing their final league match of a calendar year away from home, Watford have lost just one of their last 16 matches (W7 D8). However, this was in their most recent such match, going down 4-0 at Swansea in 2022. Match ends, Norwich City 0, Watford 1. Second Half ends, Norwich City 0, Watford 1. Attempt blocked. Jovon Makama (Norwich City) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Liam Gibbs with a cross. Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by James Abankwah. Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Moussa Sissoko. Foul by Jack Stacey (Norwich City). Marc Bola (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Fourth official has announced 7 minutes of added time. Goal! Norwich City 0, Watford 1. Vivaldo Semedo (Watford) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Nestory Irankunda. Substitution, Watford. Moussa Sissoko replaces Tom Ince. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Jack Stacey (Norwich City). Delay in match because of an injury Hector Kyprianou (Watford). Substitution, Norwich City. Mathias Kvistgaarden replaces Josh Sargent. Substitution, Norwich City. Jack Stacey replaces Oscar Schwartau. James Abankwah (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Pelle Mattsson (Norwich City). Offside, Watford. Max Alleyne is caught offside. Attempt saved. Mattie Pollock (Watford) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Vladan Kovacevic (Norwich City). Assisted by Tom Ince with a cross. Substitution, Watford. Nestory Irankunda replaces Othmane Maamma. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.