Danny Haynes was once again the derby day hero, first creating an own goal for Norwich defender Alex Pearce, then scoring the second himself as Town defeated the Canaries 2-1 at Portman Road. The Blues deserved to win much more comfortably, having dominated after Ched Evans had put the visitors ahead in the fourth minute.

On-loan striker Shefki Kuqi made a surprise start alongside Pablo Couñago up front with Jon Walters on the bench. Alan Lee was left out of the 16 completely, while Danny Haynes switched back to the right of midfield. David Wright took over from Sito at left-back with Gary Roberts also left out of the 16 after starting against Cardiff in midweek.

The game started scrappily and in the fourth minute the visitors went ahead. A Tommy Miller pass allowed Ched Evans to win possession 25 yards out and the on-loan Manchester City man hit a low speculative shot which beat Stephen Bywater to his right despite lacking any real pace. The Welshman may not have been closed down quickly by the Town defenders, but Bywater probably ought to have done better with the strike.

Town immediately looked to get back on terms, Alan Quinn forcing David Marshall into a save with a strike from the edge of the area. Soon after, an Owen Garvan effort deflected wide.

Perversely, the goal seemed to have settled the Blues down and they began to dominate the game, getting back on terms in the 12th minute. Garvan found Kuqi on the left, the Finnish international playing the ball inside to Couñago, who lobbed the ball over a defender to Haynes breaking in on the right. The derby goals specialist whipped the ball across into the six-yard area and Alex Pearce could only turn the ball into his own net.

It was all Town and two minutes later Marshall did well to save Tommy Miller's low freekick. Shortly afterwards, Garvan, completely controlling the game from central midfield, sent Kuqi away but his shot was blocked. Haynes was left on the floor as he went for the rebound, but the penalty appeals came only from the crowd.

On 21 Kuqi hit an effort straight at Marshall from 30 yards, then Darel Russell shot wide as the visitors launched a rare attack. The Blues continued to completely dominate, Kuqi's 28th minute volley was blocked, prior to Haynes shooting wide from inside the area.

Around the half hour mark the Blues won a series of corners, Jason De Vos eventually heading wide. Another corner saw Alex Bruce have a header cleared off the line and Haynes's rebound bundled behind. At the other end, Matthew Pattison's weak shot straight at Bywater was all the Canaries could muster.

On 35 Shefki Kuqi limped off, having already spent some time on the sidelines having a bandage put on his thigh. Jon Walters took over, returning to the side after his knee operation.

Walters's first action of the game led to Town's second goal. The striker chased a Garvan pass over the top, keeper Marshall half-clearing. The ball fell to Couñago, who played in Haynes on the right, the former England U19 international playing the ball across Marshall and into the net for yet another derby goal.

Just before the break, Pattison went well wide with a shot from the edge of the area, then excellent work on the right from Haynes led to Couñago having a brilliant chance to put the Blues further ahead, but the Spaniard headed over when he should have done better.

The half had been all Town's and a scoreline of 4-1 was more representative of the balance of play than the 2-1 which received a standing ovation as the players left the field. It was difficult to recall a better first half display all season.

Norwich emerged early for a second half which saw Alex Bruce receive a rare yellow card for a foul in the opening stages, although he appeared to have won the ball.

Town had a very strong case for a penalty in the 48th minute when Jon Walters was sent crashing by Pearce after taking the ball away from the on-loan Reading defender. Referee Mick Jones wrongly felt that Pearce had touched the ball and not Walters and awarded only a corner.

The half had again started scrappily with a number of niggly fouls from Norwich players, presumably a tactic designed to stop the Blues from getting as firmly into their stride as they had been before the break.

On 53 Haynes found space to run into on the right, the ball getting caught under his feet and allowing Tommy Miller a shot on goal, which only narrowly went past Marshall's right post.

In the 54th minute Quinn was booked for a late tackle on Darel Russell, who himself was very lucky not to already be in the book for a succession of fouls which the referee had punished with freekicks but no cards.

Four minutes before the hour, Bruce hobbled off and Sito replaced him, the Spaniard going to left-back with David Wright moving into the centre.

On 57 referee Jones missed a somewhat late and high challenge from Darren Huckerby on Owen Garvan as he was lecturing Alan Quinn about an earlier foul. Huckerby, regarded as somewhat of a talisman by the Canaries, had been conspicuous by his anonymity, as had Jamie Cureton and Dion Dublin, all having been very vocal in the week running up to the derby.

Town were still well on top and on 58 Haynes should have sealed the win. The youngster found Couñago on the right then met the Spanish frontman's low ball into the box but shot wide.

Walters had a shot blocked on 59, Gary Doherty using his hand to prevent the former Chester man from hitting a second effort, something the referee was oblivious to.

Huckerby finally received a yellow card on the hour for catching Quinn with a flailing arm. The Irishman's subsequent freekick from wide on the left was headed away for a corner when on its way in.

Miller shot over from 25 yards, then the midfielder sent Haynes away in acres of space on the right, but the earlier scorer failed to get in a shot when he looked odds-on to add to his derby goal tally.

Couñago turned in the box but mis-hit his shot in the 69th minute, then Haynes hit another effort across the face from the edge of the area.

On 76 Haynes played Walters through but the returning frontman squeezed his shot just beyond Marshall's right post. Town were doing enough to hammer their local rivals, the chances were there, all that was missing was the finishing.

Haynes was again sent away down the right in the 78th minute, but his progress was halted by a late, high, premeditated Ched Evans tackle which some referees would have deemed worthy of a red card rather than the yellow waved by Mr Jones.

Town continued to push for their third as the game entered the final 10 minutes. Miller cleverly slipped in Couñago but Marshall made a good save.

The Spaniard came close on 84, twisting and turning, but shooting wide. Velice Sumulikoski replaced Couñago, who was once again in magnificent form helping to create both goals, as the game moved into injury time.

There was no significant assault on the Town goal in the closing stages and the Blues played out the final minutes to secure as comfortable a derby win as most of us can recall. It's difficult to think that the Blues dominated even 1998's 5-0 win as much as they controlled today's game.

Town should have won much more comfortably, Haynes, Walters and Couñago all missing great chances, but the three points and local bragging rights were by far the most important things to take out of the game.

Couñago showed what Town had been missing during his spell out suspended, while Garvan, ably assisted by Miller and Quinn, ran the game in the centre of the midfield, particularly in the first half.

Kuqi and Walters did their bit, despite neither of them looking fully fit, while at the back, aside from the goal, it's difficult to recall anything resembling a half-chance let alone a major opportunity.

A brilliant afternoon for all connected with Town and the play-off campaign now looks somewhat more alive than it did after Wednesday night. A win at Wolves next week and a top six place may well be within the Blues' reach after all.

Town: Bywater, Wright, Simpson, De Vos, Bruce (Sito 56), Garvan, Miller, Haynes, Quinn, Couñago (Sumulikoski 90), Kuqi (Walters 35). Unused: Colgan, Rhodes. Att: 29,565.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls