Norwich City failed to grasp an opportunity to go top of the Championship once again, losing 2-1 to Watford at Vicarage Road.
The defeat is the Canaries' second on the spin and means they're winless in three, after a nine-game unbeaten run had put them in a strong position.
Angus Gunn's 13th-minute penalty save appeared to change the momentum after a strong start for the Hornets, the 26-year-old pushing Imran Louza's spot-kick wide after Liam Gibbs had brought Ismael Sarr down.
Louza had his revenge in short order, however, slotting Sarr's cross unmarked with a fine volley at the back post. Keinan Davis then doubled the hosts' lead, coolly beating Gunn after Yaser Asprilla's toe-poke fell to him.
Slaven Bilic's side looked most likely to score next, but a moment of brilliance from Josh Sargent ensured that wasn't the case. He cut inside to fire beyond Daniel Bachmann at his near post, giving the Canaries a lifeline heading into the second period.
Dean Smith's men couldn't find a way back into the game, however, despite half-chances for Gabriel Sara and Grant Hanley, leaving them outside the promotion places after 14 games.
WATFORD (4-3-3):
Substitutes:
35. Okoye (GK)
10. Pedro (on for Asprilla, 63)
19. Bayo
28. Kalu (on for Sarr, 90+5)
32. Pollock
39. Kayembe (on for Davis, 87)
42. Morris
Head Coach: Slaven Bilic
Bookings: Cathcart (74)
NORWICH CITY (4-3-1-2):
Substitutes:
1. Krul
6. Gibson
8. Hayden (on for Gibbs, 45)
14. Cantwell (on for Aarons, 82)
17. Sara (on for Nunez, 45)
20. Ramsey (on for Omobamidele, 90+1)
25. Hernandez (on for Dowell, 73)
Head Coach: Dean Smith
Bookings: Aarons (43)
KEY MOMENTS
2 - Nunez seizes on a loose ball and drives forward before dragging his shot wide from distance.
5 - Watford break forward and have a good chance to attack, but Kamara wastes it with a wayward effort.
6 - Louza drives through Gibbs' challenge and slips the ball into davis, who cuts back and forces a good save from Gunn at his near post.
7 - A clever routine from the ensuing corner allows Sarr to strike from the edge of the box, but it's straight at Gunn.
10 - Aarons finds Sargent in the box and he goes down under pressure from Cathcart, but the referee gives nothing.
13 - PENALTY MISSED: Kamara chips a clever ball into Sarr in the box, and the referee points to the spot after Gibbs makes a challenge from the wrong side of him. Louza steps up and sees Gunn parry his poor penalty away.
17 - Byram slides the ball into Pukki on the edge of the box and his shot is deflected wide.
18 - GOAL WATFORD (Louza): Sarr's cross finds Louza unmarked at the back post, and he rolls into the far post on the volley.
22 - Dowell's fierce hit is straight at Bachmann and saved by the Watford 'keeper, before Aarons drags the rebound wide of his far post.
31 - GOAL WATFORD (Davis): Sarr's cross is deflected into the path of Asprilla, whose poke finds Davis to coolly dispatch.
44 - Troost-Ekong's effort is blocked by Hanley, before Davis connects poorly with the rebound and Gunn collects.
45 - GOAL NORWICH (Sargent): Dowell drives into space before spreading wide to Sargent, who cuts in to fire beyond Bachmann.
Half time - Watford 2-1 Norwich City
54 - Pukki crosses low for McLean, who flicks wide with his right foot at the near post.
55 - Hanley meets Sara's corner and half volleys at the second attempt, smacking the Watford bar.
62 - Sargent squares for Sara, but his shot spins wide on the stretch.
64 - Sarr cuts in and sees his shot saved by Gunn, before Aarons denies Davis the rebound.
70 - Kamara flies forward and flashes a ball across the box, but it sees no takers.
80 - Sarr clips the ball out to Sema and he fires towards goal, but Gunn collects at the second time of asking.
85 - Sargent pokes beyond Cathcart and charges towards goal, but the Watford defender recovers and the ball ricochets off the American and out for a goal kick.
90+1 - A corner is cleared as far as Kayembe, whose volley bounces just wide.
Full time - Watford 2-1 Norwich City
PLAYER RATINGS
Gunn 8, Aarons 5, Omobamidele 5, Hanley 7, Byram 5, Gibbs 4, McLean 6, Nunez 5, Dowell 6, Sargent 7, Pukki 6. Subs: Hayden 7, Sara 6, Hernandez 5, Cantwell 5, Ramsey 5.
MATCH STATISTICS
Possession: 46pc-54pc
Shots: 16-11
On Target: 9-2
Corners: 3-11
Fouls: 10-8
Added-on time: 2 mins/6 mins
ATTENDANCE: 19,400 (1,938 Norwich)
REFEREE: Darren England
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