Norwich boss Neil bemoans soft Watford opener

Alex Neil admits Norwich City gifted Watford a 2-0 win at Vicarage Road after conceding a stupid penalty to allow Troy Deeney to score first.

Returning Canaries captain Alex Tettey gave the ball away before hauling down Odion Ighalo inside the area to give Deeney the chance to open the scoring, before Ighalo completed the win late on.

And Neil suggests Tettey’s mistakes were the turning point in an otherwise tight encounter.

“The conditions didn’t make for a great game and they dealt with them better. There wasn’t anything between the teams. At this level the first goal is absolutely crucial. To give it away in the manner we did, it didn’t do us any favours,” the Scot said.

“To lose 2-0 is extremely disappointing. As the game opened up we left more space at the back but that is the price you pay when you concede the first goal.

“Robbie Brady had a couple of good chances, there was a bad touch and a bad finish. There were wee bits and bobs throughout the game, but I don’t think we did enough.”

The defeat leaves Norwich 16th in the Premier League, having won only once in their last nine matches.