Watford head coach Tom Cleverley believed referee Lewis Smith should have been stronger as his 10-man side lost 1-0 to Norwich.
Vakoun Bayo saw red just before the break , after shoving Emilano Marcondes, as a Josh Sargent strike proved to be the winner.
The Hertfordshire outfit have now lost their last four games at Vicarage Road, and have yet to record victory in 2025 on home soil.
However, Cleverley felt that Norwich were guilty of gamesmanship which the official allowed.
He said “Unfortunately the referee has been played, I thought Norwich were good at the dark arts today. Every time someone made contact with their players they fell to the ground.
“We didn’t have an experienced enough referee to understand that. I’m disappointed from that perspective.
“I can’t justify Bayo’s reaction, he knows he’s let his team-mates down.
“He’s pushed Marcondes in his chest, it’s a disappointing reaction from him.
“If you counted the amount of times Marcondes fell to the floor today you’d have a decent tally.
“I’m proud of my players today. We’ve reduced them to very little, the work-rate and togetherness and spirit was excellent.”
The first-half strike by Sargent – who has now scored three times in two games – was enough.
Watford were almost undone just two minutes into the contest, when Lucien Mahovo crossed for Sargent but his point-blank shot was well saved by Jonathan Bond.
Bayo was unable to keep his header down when he saw his effort go just over the bar after 20 minutes, following a Ryan Andrews cross.
However, the Ivorian forward was given a straight red card after 34 minutes when he shoved Marcondes in the throat at a corner.
Norwich punished the 10 men four minutes before the interval, when a deflected Marcondes free-kick deflected to Mahovo, who forced Bond to save before Sargent drove home from close range.
Watford looked for an equaliser but Edo Kayembe should have done better after 49 minutes when he miskicked his shot on goal high and wide.
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup admitted his side may have approached their one-man advantage in two minds, and was of the opinion they could have added a second.
He said: “It was hard fought, but I’m pleased with the first half. I was really pleased with the start of the game.
“We were good and we were dominant. We should have been one-nil up after two minutes, it was a big chance for Sarge.
“After the red card the game changed a little bit, we should have done better in the second half.
“We were caught a little bit in-between whether to chase the second goal or whether we should just control the game.
“I’m pleased that we really didn’t give anything away, but I’m not so pleased with the amount of chances we created.
“What I hear about the red card was that it was obvious, but I have only seen it live.”
