Norwich City began 2023 with a defeat, losing 1-0 at home to Watford in the Sky Bet Championship.
Interim coaches Allan Russell and Steve Weaver made one change to the side from Friday's draw against Reading, with Liam Gibbs replacing Kenny McLean who dropped out through injury. Todd Cantwell and Dimitris Giannoulis returned to the bench, as Isaac Hayden missed out through injury.
Watford would register the game's first shot on target. Keinan Davis got beyond Ben Gibson, before forcing a smart save from Angus Gunn at his near post.
Another effort from Davis caused trouble, as the striker's curled effort went just wide of the post.
A superb block from Sam McCallum kept the game goalless, with the left-back denying Ismaila Sarr's shot.
Samuel Kalu was next to have an effort for Watford, with his shot going well wide of Gunn's post.
Grant Hanley thought he had given Norwich the lead when he headed beyond Daniel Bachmann, but the linesman flagged for offside.
Gibbs found Josh Sargent with a brilliant pass, but the American's ball across goal was smothered well by Bachmann.
In the first chance of the second half, Gunn produced a magnificent save to deny Vakoun Bayo, before the Canaries eventually cleared their lines.
Teemu Pukki and Gabriel Sara combined well to feed Marcelino Núñez, but the Chilean's shot was wide of the post.
Sara was involved again, playing Sargent through on goal but he was unable to guide his effort on target.
Adam Idah's venomous effort looked to have troubled Bachmann, but it went just wide of the post.
Sara's curling effort was next to drift just wide, as the Brazilian came closest to opening the scoring after being found by Pukki.
Watford substitute Yasser Asprilla attempted a curling effort, which was well wide of Gunn's post.
Late on, Watford would take the lead. Bayo would tap in from close range from Sarr's ball across goal.
Núñez saw a deflected effort go just wide of the post, as the Canaries went in search of an equaliser.
Norwich City: Gunn, Aarons (Omobamidele 74), Hanley, Gibson, Idah, McCallum, Sara, Pukki, Sargent, Núñez, Gibbs.
Subs not used: Krul, Hugill, Dowell, Cantwell, Hernández, Giannoulis.
Bookings: Gibbs (18), Hanley (44)
Watford: Bachmann, Ngakia, Gaspar, Davis (Asprilla 64), Cathcart, Sarr, Bacuna, Kabasele (Ekong 83), Kalu (Bayo 29), Sierralta, Morris.
Subs not used: Hamer, Pollock, Hungbo, Blake.
Goals: Bayo (86)
Bookings: Ngakia (3), Morris (48), Sierralta (67)
HT: 0-0
FT: 0-1
Venue: Carrow Road
Referee: James Linington
Attendance: 26,587