Premier League: Massive win for Norwich against relegation rivals Watford

Bit more Claudio Ranieri to BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’m not worried about the future. I’m calm and want to react. Me and my players. I have the passion. I want players with the heart and to think about what is Watford for the people of Watford.”

Confident you can it around?

“Yes I’m very confident.”

Watford boss Claudio Ranieri to BBC Sport: "Before I answer I want to say sorry to our fans because we wanted to do something better. We asked the players to light with fire and we can't lose this match, but after the goal we disappeared.

"Maybe we played better 10 v 11. It is very important the lesson Norwich gave us, they played as a team, we played as individuals. That is no good. Now I have to choose the players that want to fight hard for Watford. You have to play 11 v 11.

"I believe in my reaction and the players' reaction. It is not possible to continue in this way because this way we go straight into the Championship. I want the players with heart and mentality who play for the team.

"I speak every day with the board and we are all together. I believe in these players, the players who want to believe. Who doesn't want to believe - go home.

"The new players played very well had understand my philosophy. Some players don't want to understand my philosophy - I want to play straight away, no dribble dribble, shoot straight away.

"We have to react immediately."

Gosh, I've never seen Claudio Ranieri this angry, he is furious at some of his players.

The Italian veteran has told the BBC those who don't want to "fight" for Watford "can go home".

Full quotes to come.

• Watford are without a win in nine games in all competitions (D1 L8), their longest run without a victory since December 2013 (10).
• Norwich's enjoyed their biggest margin of victory in a Premier League match since beating West Brom 4-0 in May 2013, and their biggest away from home in the division since September 1993, a 5-1 win at Everton.
• Watford have now gone 30 Premier League games without a clean sheet (since a 3-0 win v Liverpool in February 2020), with only West Brom enduring a longer such run in the history of the competition (34 in 2011; Blackburn in 2012 and Wolves in 2012 both also on 30).

Watford boss Claudio Ranieri tells Sky Sports: "Look, before everything I want to say sorry to our crowd. We wanted to do another kind of match, we wanted to light the fire to our fans and we did not do this. First half was a little good but after the first goal we go down and they deserved to win. It is not possible to lose this kind of match.

"We had some opportunities to score a goal, but the first goal was very strange. After that we had the time to do something better, we didn't do this."

On first goal: "Maybe he (Samir) is used to playing in Italy and this kind of fall the referees whistles. In England sometimes yes and sometimes no. A big opportunity for him to understand the Premier League that it is different."

On floodlight failure: "I wanted to continue, I spoke to both captains and on the pitch the ball was clear to see.

"Physiologically I hope we react. When we are desperate we react well. Now is the right moment to react."

Asked if he fears for his future: "Look, I speak everyday with the board and we are all together. I am very convinced (about turning it around) and the also some players are convinced. I can only choose the players that want to fight, not the players who just want to take the ball and nothing more.

"We have to change the mentality, we have to play as a squad, not as individuals. No players can win alone, Norwich played with 11, as a squad, we didn't do that."

Ah, here he is...

No sign of Claudio Ranieri in the post match interviews yet.

Has he been summoned straight to the boardroom?

Norwich boss Dean Smith tells BBC Sport: "When you go 3-0 up in a game, I expected us to see it out. it was not a pretty affair from us, we knew it would not be but we started the game off really well. The game got away from us in the first half but we spoke about it at half time, we were good without the ball today and not so good with. We are in a results business, we needed the result today and certainly gives everyone a lift."

On Josh Sargent's first goal: "Superb, I have only just seen it back and I thought he had just miskicked it. Great improvisation and he needed that, he is a hard working, intelligent player and pleased he got the two goals."

Asked if he was concerned by the floodlight failure: "I was yes because it kept going on and on, I was willing people behind me to start peddling quicker. Thankfully Claudio Ranieri thought like me that it was fine to continue, just not as bright as normal.

"The table looks very uneven with all the postponements. To win a game in the Premier League for a newly promoted team is hard, back to back wins is even harder. The only thing I had a go at them was for the last 15 minutes against 10 men, I thought it was poor."

Confidence boost after climbing out of relegation zone? "We hope so, there is a great togetherness and I said we would have the best January without signing anyone. For the next game I can select from a bigger pool of players and a lot more healthier than a couple of weeks ago."

Norwich goalscorer Josh Sargent to Sky Sports: "To be honest it's been a kind of blur. To get your first one and then your second after that was pretty crazy. It's a big game for us so a great night overall.

"Obviously being in the relegation zone means every game is big for us, but to get a win against the team right in front of us is a huge win.

"It was just a kind of reaction to put my foot up like that. I knew right away it was in. I can't remember the last time I did that. Not a bad first goal!

"The checked after the second goal as well so obviously you're looking up hoping not to be embarrased after celebrating like that but obviously it was given a goal so I'm happy.

"It was back and forth all game and there were no real chances for either team but we were lucky to break and get those two goals. The second one boosted my confidence a lot. I tried to hold my run as long as possible to get a good head on it."

On his celebration: "After the first one I didn't celebrate for my newborn baby so I knew the wife would be on my case. I thought I need to do it now!

"It's been a crazy couple of weeks obviously but I'm very happy right now. It's been amazing. Hopefully we can take that confidence into the next games.

"Ever since I was young I always wanted to play in the Premier League. I know it's the best league in the world so I kind of fought my way here and I'm happy I'm doing it now."

Back to back wins for Norwich and a good performance in the first half. It was difficult at times but they protected the goalkeeper with a clean sheet mentality.

They were clinical in their moments.

Watford were in control in the first half but they capitulated in the second half, they were terrible and fell apart. Really bad.

Norwich's double goalscorer Josh Sargent to BBC Sport: "When the fans are cheering it gives you an energy boost, they were amazing tonight.

"Not scoring is a little bit in your mind - happy to get those out the way.

"Teemu Pukki did well to continue the play, it was a bit behind me but it was a reaction to put my foot up.

"The second goal was huge and the third goal even more. To get that third one put the game away for us.

"It's a huge confidence boost for us and hopefully we can take it forwards."

Jambarrell: Burnley have FIVE games in hand v Norwich, what's the most games in hand ever in a relegation battle?

Norwich fans are STILL inside Vicarage Road, the drummer is still giving his instrument a good bashing.

No work tomorrow morning so they'll probably still be celebrating in there on Sunday night.

Norwich captain Grant Hanley tells Sky Sports: "A big results for us at an important time and back to back wins is tough to do in the Premier League. Now we have time to rest with the break but we have to be better. We got the three points, that is what matters.

"Over the moon for Josh Sargent, he deserves it, he works unbelievably hard and the lads love him, he is a top, top lad. They were (top finishes) and it has been a long time coming."

On floodlight failure: "Being 1-0 up you want to carry on and see the game out. They probably did not mind the break in play, you just have to keep warm. You look at the clock, there was only half an hour left. They kept going on and off but with the score at the time you want to keep the fear out of your mind.

"Possibly (biggest result of season) getting a win away from home. We recover now and go again. We have given ourselves a chance.

"It means a lot to us, especially with the quality in the league and how difficult each game is."

The few thousand Norwich fans who have made the trip to Watford are still inside the stadium.

They're still singing and dancing in the stand.

You'll have to drag them out of there tonight.

"Dean Smith's yellow army," bellow the Norwich fans.

The victory notches up 200 wins for him as a manager.

Loud jeers from the home fans that remained inside the stadium at the end.

Dean Smith strides onto the pitch to applaud the Canaries fans.

What a night for Norwich.

Chris Everett: If Ranieri does get sacked tomorrow, should we start looking up records for teams firing their managers following losses to the same team? That'll be two in a row for Norwich.

Good one.