Watford captain Tommy Smith's strike gave the Hornets a 2-1 Championship home win over Norwich, their first under Brendan Rodgers.

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In the night's other game, Ipswich Town came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory over Bristol City at Portman Road.

Midfielder Smith (pictured with Rodgers) produced a fine finish from just inside the box two minutes after Canaries midfielder Lee Croft had cancelled out Tamas Priskin's first-half opener at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets had won just once in their last 11 games going into this fixture, and they were under the cosh in the early stages as Norwich, buoyed by their derby win over Ipswich at the weekend, started brightly.

Norwich had the ball in the net in the 12th minute but it was ruled out for a push on Scott Loach - and four minutes later Watford took the lead with their first attempt on goal.

Liam Bridcutt stooped to head a poor clearance from keeper David Marshall into the path of Priskin, who raced clear on the right and tucked a low shot in at the far post.

The goal instilled confidence in the hosts, who began to pass the ball more fluidly, and they could have had a second had Jon Harley's shot not been blocked by Jon Otsemobor.

From that moment Norwich were in the ascendancy, with Otsemobor just off target with a glancing header and Lee Croft forcing Loach to tip over with a fierce shot from the right side of the box.

The pressure finally told when Croft, unmarked in the box, met David Bell's cross from the left and planted a firm downward header past a helpless Loach.

Three minutes later, however, Watford regained their lead. Smith collected the ball on the left edge of the area, jinked his way into space and fired a low shot in off the inside of the far post.

Chances were at a premium for the remainder of the game and although Norwich pressed for an equaliser, they failed to create anything of note.

The result sees Watford leap-frog Norwich into 19th the table on goal difference, with both clubs five points above the drop zone.

Three goals in seven minutes saw Ipswich come from behind to beat Bristol City 3-1.

The hosts had trailed at half-time through a fifth-minute Stern John header, but hit back with goals from Jon Walters (49) and Pablo Counago (51).

And their comeback was capped soon after by a bizarre own goal from Liam Fontaine from 20 yards.

Despite playing the last 30 minutes with 10 men following Alex Bruce's sending off, Ipswich ended up comfortable victors.