Paddy's Pointers: Five observations from Watford 0-3 City

1. Into the light

How do you try and package what unfolded in such dramatic fashion at Vicarage Road? Two Premier League relegation rivals locked in combat? Not on this evidence.

Dean Smith’s troopers turned in a stellar top flight display. Resolute at the back, when Watford prodded and probed prior to the interval. Ruthless in the second half.

Josh Sargent’s first two Premier League goals sparked bedlam in the packed away end. There was a third to celebrate, when Juraj Kucka diverted Adam Idah’s low cross into his own net early into 15 added minutes for a partial floodlight failure.

But there was nothing dim about this performance or result. Norwich hauled themselves out of the bottom three for the first time in more than 50 Premier League matches. They inflicted a savage wound on the Hornets in the process, and no doubt induced a nauseous feeling in Burnley and Newcastle. Norwich have revived what looked a forlorn chance of survival.

It is not just the goals in the past two league wins, it is the confidence, the cohesion and the surging belief. Norwich look like a well-drilled unit.

Smith said when he first arrived he detected signs this group of players believed they belonged at this level. On the evidence of these last two outings, they do. Bravo.

2. Super Sargent

A fantastic flick. A soaring leap. And with that, Sargent was serenaded as the darling of the away end after his first Premier League goals since his summer move.

Smith had no doubt the American international could contribute, given his series of starts since his arrival. But after that glaring miss against Brighton a young man still finding his feet in a new country and a new league had to deal with all the inevitable focus on a sizeable price tag, Plus that mantle Farke had bestowed on him as Teemu Pukki’s potential longer term successor.

That lack of conviction, perhaps the lack of confidence since in front of goal had looked to weigh heavy.

But the height he leapt to direct Milot Rashica’s cross past Daniel Bachmann was the act of a player who felt a weight had been lifted. What a few days in the Sargent household, after the birth of his child. What a way to mark the new arrival.

Given the manner Idah has come to the party, capped by his landmark strike against Everton, now Sargent has delivered not only lifts the burden on Pukki, but must have Smith salivating. Stuart Webber may afford himself a wry smile or two in private after this victory given the impact of not only Sargent but Rashica; two of his summer recruits.

3. Fantastic fans

Easy to cheer and holler watching Norwich stick three past a relegation rival on a memorable night for the travelling support.

But that travelling contingent at Vicarage Road was jumping before a ball was kicked. The support was deafening, it was unified, and it drove those players on. Fitting that all three goals were scored at their end of the stadium.

For those who trek far and wide days like these at this level have been few and far between.

That friction, that sarcastic edge that was the backdrop to recent away days at Crystal Palace and Charlton seem a lifetime away.

No-one inside the camp will get carried away. No-one outside it will, least of all those who have had to suffer eternally long journeys home after dispiriting defeats. But these past two games have reaffirmed Norwich is not the laughing stock they have been portrayed in certain quarters in the Premier League.

They are a club trying to bridge a chasm with a model that sets them apart. There are drawbacks, there are positives to that approach. But whatever side of the debate you fall one thing is for certain. When Norwich perform in this manner, when they score goals, keep clean sheets and produce performances rich in character and togetherness they will find their fan base standing shoulder to shoulder.

4. How’s your luck?

Jacob Sorensen has needed infinite patience for his chance to stake a claim as a Premier League-grade central midfielder. Championship title winning left back, top flight emergency centre back but only in the past couple of games had he found a spot in his natural position.

A fairly unconvincing FA Cup offering alongside the equally ineffective Pierre Lees-Melou at Charlton would have done nothing to advance his claims.

But the duo were immeasurably better in all facets of their craft with and without the ball against Everton. Sorensen was a titan in the closing stages at Carrow Road defending his own box. He also started in vibrant fashion against the Hornets. Defensively assured but connecting the play to City’s attacking options.

Alas, the Dane was unable to run off a crunching challenge he threw himself into, in a successful mission to retrieve a situation that ended with Rashica firing over from Sargent’s cutback.

The body language said it all as he trooped to the touchline to be replaced by Kenny McLean. We await the full extent of his injury, although Smith confirmed afterwards there is a concern around medial ligament damage.

But with Mathias Normann, Billy Gilmour and Lukas Rupp all targeting a cup return in the next round at Wolves, Sorensen may feel the fates have conspired against him when the Premier League ranges back into view next month.

5. Watching brief

One downside perhaps on a night to savour. Todd Cantwell’s absence from the matchday squad set another train of rumour and counter rumour running. It has become a tiresome saga in truth. The blame game really is pointless at this stage.

Cantwell was at Vicarage Road, and there was no transfer sub-plot to his latest omission as we approach the business end of a window that has barely raised a ripple of interest in relation to the Canaries.

Smith made it clear after the game it was purely a selection decision. But City have a young, English, talented midfielder who cannot seemingly get a look in under the new man any more than he featured in the final days of Farke.

If Cantwell is to remain in the building beyond deadline day then common ground has to be found on both sides. It suits neither party for the academy product to be on the outside looking in. Cantwell needs to be playing regular football to fulfil his undoubted talent. Norwich need a fizzing creative midfield option.

Although after these wins over Everton and Watford they have plenty of others sticking their hands up now at Smith's disposal. With a number of key midfielders on the cusp of a return from injury.

The rest, in terms of his next career move, would then take care of itself in the natural progression we witnessed when the likes of James Maddison and Ben Godfrey moved. A duo who exited to the benefit of all parties.

This current state of flux serves no healthy purpose. It is the worst of all worlds.