A GOAL and an assist on his debut from the industrious Andrew Crofts were not enough to stop City slipping to an opening day 3-2 npower Championship defeat against Malky Mackay's Watford.
First-half strikes from Hornets skipper John Eustace and Danny Graham gave the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead at the break.
But the Canaries improved in the second half and Andrew Crofts fired home in the 51st minute to spark hopes of a revival before Graham struck again nine minutes from time to restore Watford's two-goal cushion.
Central defender Michael Nelson netted a second for City in the 90th minute but the visitors held on in injury time to take the three points.
After the game Lambert told First News: "To concede two goals early on gives you a mountain to climb. We came back second half strongly which was pleasing.
"Their third goal I felt should have been a free-kick to us which is disappointing, but you can't give away a two-goal start like that. We did come back into the game but you can't make mistakes like that because you will get punished."
The City boss said the squad would now be looking to provide a positive response against Gillingham in the Carling Cup on Tuesday: "There's no point feeling sorry for yourselves though - you have to pick yourselves up and go again on Tuesday.
"The fans got right behind us and they will again on Tuesday I'm sure. The one good thing is we never capitulated, we kept going and trying and I thought we were on the ascendancy in the second half.
"The players themselves know the mistakes that were made. You can be over-analytical about these things and start to get negative so we will pick ourselves up and go again."
Lambert elected to start with the same team which beat Newcastle United in one of the pre-season friendlies, with Grant Holt joining a strong bench alongside Korey Smith, making a welcome return from an ankle injury.
Mackay's young Watford side started brightly although City had the best of the opening chances, Simeon Jackson forcing a save from Scott Loach in the 6th minute following good work from the two Martins, Russell and Chris.
But Watford stunned the majority of the home crowd by taking the lead with a fairly simple goal in the 14th minute, skipper John Eustace firing home via a slight deflection after chested down Cowie's cross from the right.
City worked hard to recover and Andrew Surman came close to restoring parity with a curling 21st minute free-kick from 25 yards, which Loach dived to his right to parry.
It was Watford who once again finished clinically in the 24th minute to extend their lead however. A clever flick-on from Sordell released Danny Graham into the clear - and he slotted the ball calmly into the far corner, giving Ruddy no chance.
Five minutes later only a fine reaction save low to his left from Ruddy kept City in the game as he palmed away a smart shot on the turn from Buckley.
In the 40th minute Jackson had a half-chance to reduce the arrears for City as he ran on to Chris Martin's flicked header only to fire into the side netting from a very tight angle.
Three minutes later a good ball whipped in from the right by Russell Martin was met by Chris Martin, but his header flashed well wide.
Norwich emerged unchanged after the break knowing they needed to wrest back the initiative from the visitors to get themselves back into the game.
And they did just that as they pulled a goal back just six minutes after the restart. It was a goal of real quality too - Hoolahan playing a good ball in to Jackson on the edge of the box and the striker then pulling off a sublime backheel to tee up Crofts on the edge of the box. The former Brighton midfielder marked his debut with a crisp drive low into the far corner and it was game on.
But Watford were still dangerous and were left wondering how they did not restore their two-goal cushion seven minutes later, when Mariappa headed wide from close range after Ruddy parried Graham's cross-shot invitingly into his path.
In the 68th minute David Fox tested Loach with a fiercely-struck half-volley which bounced awkwardly in front of him but was well held.
Three minutes later and the Carrow Road crowd of 24,348 roared its approval as last season's 30-goal hero Grant Holt was brought on for Jackson.
Holt came close to levelling in the 80th minute with a diving header from Hoolahan's sweet cross from the left - but within a minute the Hornets had extended their lead to 3-1.
The Canary players felt Michael Nelson was fouled in the centre of the park before the ball fell to Danny Graham wide on the left - and even then there seemed to be little danger as City had men back.
Graham had other ideas however, firing a low shot across goal which took a slight deflection off Russell Martin before nestling in the far corner.
City did not give up though and Nelson made the score 3-2 on 90 minutes as he converted Crofts' cut-back from the byeline - but Watford held on during injury time for the victory.
FULL TIME here at Carrow Road as City succumb to a 3-2 defeat against Watford in their opening Championship fixture, despite an improved second-half performance.
90+2 - Wes Hoolahan is denied a late free-kick on the edge of the area by the referee.
Four minutes of added time.
90th - GOAL: Michael Nelson gives the Canaries late hope as he turns home a low Andrew Crofts cross with only injury time remaining.
89th - Troy Deeney is given too much time to get a shot in at Ruddy's goal, but the City stopper saves with ease.
88th - A Chris Martin effort is deflected for a corner, but Watford clear their lines.
87th - Former Watford man Anthony McNamee comes on to replace Andrew Surman for the Canaries.
81st - GOAL: Sucker punch for City as Watford increase their lead to two. Whilst City were caught out awaiting the referee's whistle for a series of tackles in the midfield, the Hornets pick out Danny Graham on the edge of the area whose effort takes a slight deflection off Russell Martin before nestling in the back of the net.
80th - Wes again does well to create some space and whips in a ball towards Holt, who used his strength to shrug off his marker before heading his effort wide.
77th - A brilliant series of passing almost threads through Chris Martin on the six yard line, only to be thwarted by a last ditch tackle by Martin Taylor.
73rd - With just one goal needed to take something from the game Grant Holt instantly tries to get involved. Whilst Malky Mackay is given a stern talking to by the referee.
72nd - Grant Holt strips off to replace Simeon Jackson.
69th - David Fox hits a shot from twenty yards, but is well saved by Loach.
66th - A series of breaks in play halt City's momentum as several minutes of injury time are clocked up for treatment to players.
59th - Watford substitutions: Marvin Sordell, Will Buckley off - Ross Jenkins, Troy Deeney on
58th - Watford miss a sitter to increase their lead. Ruddy fails to clear with an inswinging Danny Graham cross from the right, spilling the ball to Mariappa less than six yards out, but with the goal at his mercy he could only steer the ball wide.
Today's attendance is 24,348.
55th - City building up a head of steam now as Chris Martin and Jackson combine up front, only to see Jackson's first time volley blocked.
51st- GOAL: City find a way back into the match as some superb build-up play sees Simeon Jackson back-heel the ball back to Andrew Crofts on the edge of the area. In space Crofts hits a rasping first-time shot beating the outstretched Scott Loach and reducing the deficit.
50th - Plenty of endeavour from the Canaries, but lacking that cutting edge they fail to test Hornets stopper Loach. Danny Graham responds with an effort high and wide.
No changes for the second half as Watford get the second period underway.
Half time - The referee sounds for the interval ending a tough first forty-five minutes back in the Championship for the Canaries. However, thanks to John Ruddy's superb save from Will Buckley, the Canaries remain in with a shout if they can score early in the second half.
44th - Good build up play sends Russell Martin down the right flank, who produces a superb in swinging cross towards Chris Martin in the area, but slightly put off by strike partner Jackson, could only head his effort wide.
41st- City starting to build up a slight head of steam as a Chris Martin flick on sets up Jackson for a shot in the area, but he can only hit the side netting with his effort.
40th - Brilliant play by Crofts and Hoolahan to break up the play in midfield, bet Wes fails to pick out the on running Chris Martin.
37th - Great ball by David Fox over the top towards the on running Jackson, but is quickly cut out by Loach.
35th - Wes Hoolahan tries to make something happen upfront, but his in-swinging cross from the right evades Surman at the far post.
33rd - Surman gives a free-kick away twenty yards out allowing Graham to shoot, but the striker failed to double his tally as the ball flew over the bar.
30th - City find themselves in a bit of a mess with half an hour gone as Watford almost increase their lead. Sordell again caused the City back four problems as he skipped in behind City's defence, squaring the ball to Will Buckley who turned and shot only for John Ruddy to make an excellent save to his right.
23rd - GOAL: Watford hit the Canaries on the counter-attack as nineteen year old Marvin Sordell flicks the ball through to Danny Graham who finishes well past John Ruddy, doubling the away side's advantage.
23rd - City working hard to find a way back into the match but nothing is yet to stick with Jackson and Martin up front.
20th - Foul on Jackson by Doyley brings a promising free-kick from twenty-five yards. Chris Martin's first attempt is blocked by the premature Don Cowie in the Hornets wall who earns a booking for his troubles. Surman steps up to take the next effort, curling it round the wall, looking destined for the net only for Scott Loach to palm clear.
14th - GOAL: Watford take the lead as Cowie hits a deep cross towards the imposing John Eustace, who is allowed too much time by Andrew Crofts as he fails to clear, allowing him to guide the ball into the back of the net.
13th - Excellent intervention by Russell Martin who cuts out a Mariappa cross with two at the far post.
11th - Danny Graham hits a tame effort for the Hornets as Elliott Ward fails to clear his lines. Despite that slight error, the centre back has made an impressive start to his debut by cutting out a lot of Watford's early play.
9th - City piling on the pressure at the Norwich & Peterborough end but Watford scramble clear.
6th - Norwich come close to taking the lead as Russell Martin finds Chris Martin at the back post, nodding the ball down to Simeon Jackson who can only tamely shoot into Watford stopper Scott Loach's hands.
4th - Watford have the first shot of the game as John Eustace sends the ball high into the stands.
After a pre-match huddle, the match gets underway.
Team News
PAUL Lambert has named Chris Martin and Simeon Jackson as his first choice strikeforce for the Canaries first npower Championship fixture of the season against Watford.
New signings Elliott Ward, David Fox, Andrew Crofts and John Ruddy are also included in an unchanged starting line-up from City's final pre-season game against Everton last weekend.
Grant Holt is named on the bench having only managed twenty minutes against the Evertionians following a thigh injury, whilst Declan Rudd has returned from international duty with the England Under-19's to take his place alongside him in the dugout.
For Watford, former City favourite Malky Mackay has chosen Danny Graham to lead the Hornets attack, with Don Cowie and Will Buckley tasked to provide for the imposing striker.
City: Ruddy, Martin, Drury, Nelson (C), Crofts, Jackson (Holt 72), Hoolahan, Surman (McNamee 87), Fox, Martin, Ward. Subs: Rudd, Smith, Lappin, Johnson, Askou.
Watford: Loach, Hodson, Eustace (C), Taylor, Mariappa, Cowie, Graham, Buckley (Jenkins 59), Doyley, McGinn, Sordell (Deeney 59). Subs: Gilmartin, Bryan, Henderson, Mingoia, Oshodi.
