Sargent scored a second-half brace and Juraj Kucka netted an own goal in the injury-time as Norwich secured their second consecutive Premier League win.
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Josh Sargent scored a brace as Norwich City beat Watford 3-0 in the Premier League fixture at Vicarage Road on Friday. The opening half was low on quality as both teams canceled each other out and failed to create any clear cut chances. However, after the break, Sargent broke the deadlock with a cheeky finish before the American headed home to complete his brace. Meanwhile Emmanuel Dennis, who was already on a caution, received his second yellow card for a foul on Max Aarons. And then, in the second minute of a 15-minute injury time, Juraj Kucka turned Adam Idah’s cross into his own net to put the icing on the cake for the visitors.
⬆️ @NorwichCityFC climb out of the relegation zone with a resounding win#WATNOR pic.twitter.com/0T1NOE65F3
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 21, 2022
Norwich went into the match on the back of a 2-1 win over Everton and their second consecutive victory has now taken them ahead of Watford into 17th spot, out of the relegation zone, while Caludio Raneiri’s side has been pushed down to the bottom three, having played two games less.
Dean Smith is the first Norwich manager to win back-to-back Premier League matches with the club since Alex Neil in April 2016. Both Norwich and Watford have been involved in the relegation battle and this was already billed as a relegation six-pointer in January. As Norwich ended a six-game losing streak against the Toffees, Watford came from behind to secure a hard-fought draw against Newcastle.
Norwich broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half as Kenny McLean slid the ball through for Teemu Pukki on the right side of the penalty area, although initially the pass appeared heavy, the Finland international managed to keep the ball in and get past Samir before delivering the cross for Sargent. The American midfielder readjusted his body very well to produce the most sensational of finishes with his heel and the ball looped back across goal and over the line via the crossbar.
Play was suspended for 11 minutes owing to a floodlight failure before Sargent doubled the lead, 16 minutes before time. McLean was involved yet again as he fed the ball to Rashica, who beat Kiko Femenia with brilliant turn on the left flank before delivering the cross for Sargent to head the ball past Daniel Bachmann into the bottom corner.
Watford’s problem’s worsened as Dennis, who was already booked for a foul on Pierre Lees-Melou in the first half, caught Aarons in front of referee Mike Dean, leading to sent off. Watford tried to pull one back but Sissoko’s acrobatic finish was ruled out for offside. Meanwhile Kucka diverted Idah’s low cross beyond Bachmann at his near post to complete a miserable night for Ranieri’s side.
“First of all I have to say sorry to the fans,” Ranieri said. “I told the players to ignite the fire. The second half after the goal, we disappeared. Maybe we played better with 10 than 11.
“Now we must pick up the players who have heart like Sissoko and Cleverley. Only the players with the fight can help us survive. We have to change our mentality. We cannot carry on in this way. I want players who can play with passion and heart.”
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