Daniel Grimshaw 6

Beaten twice in the first half by angled finishes from Myron Boadu. On both occasions raced out from his line but left inviting areas inside his far post to slot.

Some loose work on the floor late on brought unnecessary drama in and around the Norwich box, with Watford hunting an equaliser.

Had to grasp Rocco Vata’s rising effort under his bar from one sliced clearance. Dropped a majestic long range early pass at the feet of Anthony Musaba who cut inside, but his cross was cleared.

But only 41pc accuracy on his long ball delivery. Was at full stretch in the 38th minute when Martin Payero’s swinging hit brushed the side netting.

Jack Stacey 6

That risk and reward element to Stacey’s craft underlined again with both Watford counters profiting from the space down the City right flank left by Stacey’s desire to get forward.

On the overlap as early as the fifth minute to link with Andre Brooks to win a corner.

Connected with Brooks again for a Paris Maghoma cross shot. Excellent tracking back in stoppage time deep into his own half before a perfectly-timed sliding challenge on Marc Bola.

One of two tackles and six defensive contributions.

Ruairi McConville 7

Tried to get across to Iker Bravo, with Stacey upfield for the opener, but played around for Boadu to race away from Jose Cordoba.

Headed wide under pressure in the third minute from the second phase of a Jacob Wright corner.

In that hesitant response to Watford’s early goal blitz needed some timely defensive interventions in his total of 11 to prevent more Hornets’ raids. Completed a game high 58 passes.

Jose Cordoba 6

Mirrored Norwich’s strong second half recovery after a torrid first period.

Twice found himself up against Boadu, and twice beaten to the counter-punch. The second concession in particular he was unable to handle Boadu’s quick feet and change of gear. Although Cordoba’s body language in the immediate aftermath suggested he expected better from Daniel Grimshaw.

But much more proactive in the second half to mop up Watford counters. Excellent to track the run of Bravo in the 70th minute. One of three recoveries and four defensive contributions. Only 59 touches in total compared to Ruairi McConville’s 88.

Crucial role in the first Norwich strike, when his thumping header was parried by Federico Ravaglia before a bout of head tennis involving Mattie Pollock saw Ben Chrisene volley home.

Ben Chrisene 7

Had plenty to do as that Pollock partial clearance dropped level with the penalty spot, but the technique was top drawer and the strike pure as it flew past Ravaglia at his near post.

Lost the flight of a crossfield pass a few minutes later but was back into his shape to cut out the Krepin Diatta cross.

Teasing delivery for Mathias Kvistgaarden to attack on the hour but Ravaglia was awarded a generous free kick.

A game high six tackles and 67pc accuracy on his long range passing.

Jacob Wright 7

Tough terrain to try and make things happen on the ball when Norwich went 2-0 behind, and the mood inside Carrow Road started to turn.

But that quality he possesses was evident in the cross attacked by Cordoba that led to Chrisene’s volleyed finish.

A game high 93 touches on the ball with an 85 pass accuracy.

Best first half chance for Norwich came in the third minute when a second phase delivery from his corner brought an improvised flick from Kvistgaarden that Ravaglia clawed behind.

Then another cross attacked by McConville before Sam Field stabbed wide from the edge of the box, after build up play involving Wright and Brooks.

Rising shot struck a Watford chest in the 18th minute.

Sam Field led Norwich City against Watford (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Sam Field (C) 7

Only a second start of the league season, and the captaincy as well, but that experience came through in a much-improved second half display.

Not able to close the gaps, in tandem with Wright, for those rapid transition moments that led to Watford goals.

But his game management was excellent in the second period, capped by the awareness to mop up a Brooks tackle that could have led to a potential Watford counter and then the release for Kvistgaarden to pick out Maghoma.

Stabbed wide on his left in the eighth minute. Had another sharp chance in the 42nd minute when the ball ricocheted to him but Pollock was across.

Big turnover work in the 67th minute and shovel for Maghoma and Musaba to advance and win a corner.

One of seven defensive contributions.

Andre Brooks 6

Still lacking that early season snap and quality to his work in the final third.

Invited Stacey forward in the fifth minute to earn an early home corner. But veered around with ease by Hector Kyprianou to trigger the opening Watford goal.

Got back in twice midway through the half with excellent defensive contributions to thwart Jordan Zemura.

Squared up the full back just before the hour mark but a tame cross flew over the target.

One recorded dribble for a player who has forged a reputation on his ability to isolate defenders with his pace and trickery.

Paris Maghoma was Norwich City's match winner (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Paris Maghoma 8

Looked the City player most likely against a packed five-player Watford backline.

81pc pass accuracy and a heat map that illustrated he had that licence to roam in search of those pockets of space.

But held his position intelligently for Kvistgaarden’s cutback, and a controlled lift into the net from the penalty spot.

Early link play brought promising moments for Stacey and Field. Showcased his attacking threat in the 23rd minute when a step over and a body swerve lost two but he curled wide from the edge of the area.

Drifting run again on the half-hour and pass for Musaba, who was eased off the ball.

Anthony Musaba 7

A quite stunning finish into the roof of the net to draw Norwich level, after he raced away from Kevin Keben and then drove infield past Diatta to open up the shooting angle.

Prominent in that power-packed second half spell which put Watford on the back foot.

Had a game high eight touches in the opposition penalty area.

One driving run saw him collect from Maghoma but Ravaglia was alert to his attempt to dink over the advancing keeper at his near post.

Less precision to his attacking urges in that first period when released in promising positions.

Mathias Kvistgaarden 8

Sublime first assist for Musaba’s thumping finish when he controlled Cordoba’s initial clearance to drop off his 'shadow' Pollock and then in one flowing motion reverse a pass over Keben for his winger.

High quality work. Showed that game intelligence later to look up and cut the ball back for Maghoma to finish, for his seventh goal contribution in 10 league games.

All the more impressive given the physical examination he had to endure from Hornets’ captain Pollock.

Philippe Clement rightly claimed the centre back was fortunate to stay on the park. But Kvistgaarden was shoved aside too easily for the second Watford goal. Denied by Ravaglia at his near post in the third minute. Six touches in the opposition box in a total of 34.

Subs:

Lucien Mahovo (for Maghoma, 72) 6

Slotted in on the right of the attacking three. Deep cross for Jovon Makama headed behind for a corner.

Jovon Makama (for Brooks, 72) 6

Real zip and intent to his cameo. Used his physical presence to control a Stacey punt and cut inside but his shot struck Keben.

Then a jinking run that had Watford’s defence backpedalling before another effort blocked.

Anis Ben Slimane (for Kvistgaarden, 81) 5

Darlin Yongwa (for Musaba, 81) 5

Some aggressive close quarters defensive work on Diatta to keep Watford hemmed into their own defensive third.

Kellen Fisher (for Stacey, 90) 5