Lewis Grabban’s first-half goal saw Norwich City to a 1-0 victory over the Blues in the East Anglian derby at Portman Road. The Canaries striker flicked home a header in the 24th minute after Town keeper Dean Gerken and midfielder Cole Skuse appeared to leave the ball for one another.

David McGoldrick’s expected return to the starting line-up was the only change from the team which drew at Birmingham in midweek with Conor Sammon dropping to the bench.

Norwich included former Town academy schoolboy Ryan Bennett at the centre of their defence.

The Blues were first to threaten after Tyrone Mings was fouled on the left. Jay Tabb sent in the freekick and, after Paul Anderson had been unable to direct a header goalwards, Skuse scraped a shot wide.

There was an early outing for Town’s stretcher tractor in the fifth minute after Canaries’ defender Bennett suffered what looked to be a foot injury in a challenge with Daryl Murphy. Javier Garrido replaced the former Blues schoolboy with skipper Russell Martin moving to the centre of the defence.

On 10 Murphy sent McGoldrick away on the left, the Blues number 10 cutting in and sending over a deep cross which Anderson nodded across to Tabb, who headed on to Murphy, the Irishman looping a shot well over.

Right-back Steven Whittaker struck the Canaries’ first effort in the 18th minute but his cross-shot failed to trouble Gerken. At the other end, Hyam played Mings into space down the left but his low ball found John Ruddy’s arms.

Town had had the better of the first quarter of the game with the Norwich backline having failed to clear their lines on several occasions.

Canaries striker Grabban hit a low 20-yard strike which Gerken saved well down to his right on 23 but a minute later the visitors went in front.

A corner from the right was cleared to Alexander Tettey on the edge of the box from where he nodded the ball back towards the edge of the six-yard area. As Skuse and Gerken left the ball for one another Grabban flicked a header into the net. The grounded Christophe Berra appeared to be playing the goalscorer onside, however, video evidence showed this not to be the case.

Despite the offside controversy, it was another goal every bit as poor as those conceded at Reading and Birmingham. Grabban should never have been allowed to get to what should have been an easily defended nod back into the area.

Town quickly went about getting back on terms. McGoldrick shot just past the post after a cleverly-worked freekick was played to him just outside the box. Soon after Skuse was booked for a foul on Lafferty.

The Canaries were presenting the greater threat as the game moved towards the half hour, Tetty seeing a shot blocked, then Lafferty hitting his rebound well wide. The Northern Irishman was booked shortly afterwards for a foul on Tabb.

Tabb laid the ball back to Murphy in the 37th minute but his shot was straight at Ruddy, then moments later McGoldrick brought the ball in from the left but his well-struck effort flew over.

On 43 Tabb’s drilled corner was missed by Anderson when he had a free header, the ball eventually falling to Skuse, who looped over from the edge of the box. A minute later, Lafferty flicked a header wide from a freekick on the left.

In seven minutes of injury time, largely as a result of Bennett’s early injury, McGoldrick sent in a dangerous cross which was put behind just ahead of Tabb. From the corner, the ball fell to Anderson 25 yards out but the winger lashed high and wide.

Moments before the half-time whistle McGoldrick failed to make contact as he tried an overhead kick after Berra had nodded down Tabb’s freekick from deep.

Town had huffed and puffed but had never really looked that close to grabbing an equaliser after Grabban’s very preventable goal.

Despite Norwich not looking entirely comfortable at the back at times, Ruddy had never really been tested, while Nathan Redmond and Grabban were a threat when the Canaries were on the counter-attack.

Town carved out an early second half opportunity, McGoldrick’s cross from the right falling to Murphy, who was in two minds whether to shoot on the turn or lay back to Anderson. Eventually the ball was moved on to Hyam and then Skuse, whose shot was deflected wide of goal.

The Blues should have been on terms in the 50th minute after a long spell of possession in the Norwich half. Tabb chipped a cross to the far post from where Murphy headed back past Ruddy’s right post when he should have scored.

There was a big scare for Town in the 53rd minute when the Blues played themselves into trouble midway inside their half. With Berra out of position, Garrido played Grabban through on goal but the ex-Bournemouth striker chipped over Gerken but also the bar when he should have made it 2-0.

Norwich were continuing to have their fragile moments at the back, McGoldrick escaping down the left in the 58th minute and forcing Ruddy to save at his near post from a tight angle.

Within a minute Gerken had made an even better save after Grabban seized on hesitation on the edge of the Town box and hit a powerful strike, which the keeper pushed away right-handed.

The lively Canaries striker was thwarted again as the game moved towards the hour mark having been played in one on one with Gerken towards the right of the area. The keeper forced him wide and Smith cleared his weak attempt at goal off the line.

Anderson scuffed a weak shot to Ruddy after being found in a dangerous position by Skuse on 65 but Norwich were continuing to have more of the ball with gaps increasingly appearing in Town’s defences.

With 18 minutes remaining Mick McCarthy made a triple substitution, Kevin Bru, Alex Henshall and Conor Sammon replacing Hyam, Anderson and Tabb.

A minute later Smith blocked from Bradley Johnson, then on 76 Bru’s edge of the area shot was deflected away following two Town corners.

Town were having more of the ball in dangerous areas but Norwich remained a bigger threat on the counter-attack, Gerken saving Garrido’s shot from the left as the match moved into its final 10 minutes. On 83 Mings was booked for a foul on Tettey as Norwich broke forward.

As the game moved into injury time, Berra nodded down Mings’s freekick from deep but Murphy just couldn’t get to it ahead of Ruddy.

Gerken saved Redmond’s low shot from the edge of the box and without the Blues threatening again referee Keith Stroud’s whistle confirmed the visitors’ victory.

Town had been better after the break and should have been on terms via Murphy’s header but largely they continued to huff and puff, showing too little quality on the ball.

The Canaries, having got their noses in front in the first half, continued to look the more threatening side on the break with Grabban failing to take one gilt-edged opportunity, while they created a number of other opportunities to increase their lead.

While by no means the hammering of three years ago - a result along those lines never looked on the cards - the Blues once again fell short when up against their greatest rivals, who they now haven't beaten in more than five years.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Hyam (Bru 72), Anderson (Sammon 72), Tabb (Henshall 82), McGoldrick, Murphy. Unused: Bialkowski, Parr, Hewitt, Bajner.

Norwich: Ruddy, Martin (c), R Bennett (Garrido 5), Turner, Whittaker, Tettey, Johnson, Hoolahan (O’Neil 83), Redmond, Lafferty (E Bennett 53), Grabban. Unused: Rudd, Cuellar, Jerome, Murphy. Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire). Att: 25,245 (Norwich 2,064).

Photo: Action Images

carsey added 16:10 - Aug 23 Haven't heard McCarthy yet but if he is saying Gerkin wasn't at fault for the goal he is either a liar or doesn't want to hang his players out in public. We were dreadful all over the pitch it's just as well they were incapable of taking the opportunities to finish of the match. And as I write Paul Taylor is having a great game for Rotherham.
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WashbrookBlue added 16:16 - Aug 23 Impossible to disagree with the unanimity of the posts - agree with Monterrey and Pinewood especially. As boring, as one dimensional, as mediocre as it was predictable! Criticism of Hyam harsh, I thought he had an absolutely terrific first half. And Mings gives you some hope with his fantastic athleticism and no little dexterity with feet. But that's it. Gerken, Skuse, Tabb, Anderson were just as they always are....mediocre. I really hope that Wordsworth and Taylor rip it up at Rotherham and show our present management just how one eyed and one dimensional they are being. We only have one plan a - grinding out wins from just being hard to beat - but that plan is holed beneath the waterline when we start giving away pathetic goals like today, midweek and last Saturday and his demeanour at press conference tells me that he realises he has pretty much nothing else to turn to. Its ironic that our last derby win was Magiltons last game before being kicked out by our current owner whose stewardship of this club has been an unmitigated disaster. And now, he's clearly lost interest, starving the manager of anything to play with. Can we please hear the two empty suits explaining their comment about the Cresswell money being reinvested??!! The ludicrous summer break induced optimism of a top 6 finish - what was that based on exactly??? - has surely been laid bare by our first few games. Don't give me all this tough start nonsense, these are the teams we'll be playing all season. Good players have left to be replaced by free triallists out of their depth and one or two cast offs. As always , its the fans who lose out the most. How bad a mood do we feel Marcus will be in this weekend, even if he ordained the club with his presence today? The moment anyone is mad enough to come up with enough cash to enable his accountant to write off the squillions he has lost as a justifiable tax break , he's out of here. And good riddance. The long dark tunnel has just stretched that few years further. Ugh.

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StowTractorBoy added 16:16 - Aug 23 I know everyone is having a good old rant but I fully expected us to struggle today against a team high in confidence and against a Club rich in finances. What upset me more than anything is that even if we lack ability we could have at least shown some passion in our most important home match of the season. The players have badly let us down today in a game that matters so much to us. I have never believed that we would make the top 6 this season but at the moment you guys forecasting mid table are being a tad optimistic. MM has much work to do in this very competitive league.

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battyblue added 16:16 - Aug 23 Paul Taylor just set up Rotherhams goal against Millwall away and words worth is playing well in midfield good move Mick
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Cloddyseedbed added 16:16 - Aug 23 Well Millsey, did you enjoy the derby? ITFCRealist shame your not still singing! jonbull88 are you sure just the one midfielder is needed to turn our season around? After this performance by Town surely the supporters with rose coloured glasses can see that the supporters who are critical of the type of player and the tactics employed can see it's not working and is not going to get the crowds back to Portman Road. It's poor, very poor. As is running out of food 50% of the way through half time! what was that all about, a lunchtime ko and they didn't expect people to want to buy food. Who are these people in charge? Time for a reality check Mr Evans, if you wish to continue to dish up entertainment like you are every week and are only interested in aquiring players of a certain standard the ground is soon going to get even emptier.

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christiand added 16:17 - Aug 23 Not sure what game some of you were watching but I thought they were a much more accomplished and attack minded side than us. They had so many additional chances to add to their score a repeat of the 5-1 last time could've been achieved if they were more ruthless. Easiest match ruddy is likely to have this season not tested or stretched throughout the afternoon. The commentator I was watching the game with online, here in Portugal, said ipswich are a hardworking side, but lack that guile and quality....summed it up perfectly!

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runningout added 16:18 - Aug 23 Load of poo as a game... Poo er rusult..
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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:19 - Aug 23 Crap game. We were crapper. How we can be considered a threat with Tabb taking det pieces I dont know, how many times did corners not beat the 1st man? We had no urgency, that is something I expect from sny MM twam and we didn't have it. The shots on target is the most worrying statistic. Henshall bought some life, Skuse was awfull day. Overall they got lucky with the goal but then they should have had about 4 so thats kind of irrelevant. Hope this serves as an early season kick up the arse!

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NSL added 16:22 - Aug 23 Poor game but the worrying thing is that Ipswich did give it 100%. Norwich could have probably found another gear but it just underlines how far behind we are off the top 6-8 teams and progress will be nearly impossible without a large amount of investment in that squad.
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Casbo added 16:41 - Aug 23 Listened to it in the Dubai Mall. So sad to hear we put up such a weak performance. Will be back in the UK for the game next week at Derby and have tickets. Hope MM can inspire some kind of reaction but there is little class in the team. We need improvements in every position - put your hand in your pocket Evans or sell to someone who is willing to back the club.
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blueboy1981 added 16:51 - Aug 23 Bobblehat ........ very surprised that you didn't rate Mings performance today - I have to agree with Mick Mills on Radio Suffolk in saying he had an exceptional game for a youngster, of course he is still learning and not the finished article, but anyone knowing the game ,and not rating his performance MUST have been at a different game. Shame a few more didn't perform as well today. Can't gloss over it, however much you may want to - we were / are VERY POOR - and MUCH improvement necessary. I think even the 'blue tints' are, or will, agree - VERY SOON.

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Harlowtractorboy added 16:52 - Aug 23 Sorted it out mick ssecond half seen like a friendly gherkin should of come out with his fists for there goal
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boysinblue added 16:53 - Aug 23 For all those criticising Hyman i don't think we were watching the same game. Hyman was exceptional IMO, he was everywhere getting stuck in, and was alright on the ball too. Skuse can't run for some reason and was VERY poor today, he does nothing. Kings defends well but panics whenever he's given the ball, I'd say he's more of a CB. But for the LOVE OF GOD WHY DOES MM PERSIST WITH TABB?!?!?!?!?! I'm not exaggerating when I say Tabbs performance was one of the worst I've ever seen in a town shirt. They got so much joy down the right hand side because Tabb never tracked back, and was at fault for the corner which led up for the goal. Now I've supported MM all along I think he's a top manager at this level but my opinion of him is dropping very fast indeed. I do not understand what he sees in Tabb and Skuse. I mean playing Tabb over Henshall?!?! FFS!!! If those 2 start again next match I'm gonna begin to get seriously f@cked off with Mick!!!!!!

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boysinblue added 16:55 - Aug 23 Mings*
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jas0999 added 16:58 - Aug 23 Bitterly disappointing. It is easy to over react after a derby defeat, but on this occasion I don't think fans are. Other than a few posters, many of us had been saying in pre season that we are weaker than last season, both in terms of numbers and quality. This was highlighted today. This first 11, let alone the squad, are not good enough to even challenge the top six. Frankly the midfield is so negative and poor I doubt many would get in a top division one side. Skuse was abysmal, Hyam okay, Tabb very poor and Anderson drifted in and out. Henshall did okay when he came on, but Bru despite one good cross looks out of his depth. The defence is weaker than last season. Mings did very well but is not a left back ... He won't get forward and put in a quality cross. The central two are decent, whilst Chambers was caught out with a pacey opponent again. Gerken needs to be dropped. Average at best. Up front McGoldrick still not back to his best, whilst Murphy demonstrated why I don't like him. He was excellent against Fulham, but has now been very poor in the next three games, he also failed to get on target a free header from six yards out. Murphy sums up Ipswich for me; hard working, but inconsistent and lacking any real quality. None of the back up strikers are goal scores which is very worrying. 4 points from 4 league games is very poor and certainly not top six form. Bottom six maybe. We are also out of the cup. Unless real quality is added by the close of the transfer window, to include attacking goal scoring options, we are going nowhere this season. ME can talk about strategy and adding just one or two to strengthen the team per pre season, but reality is we are miles worse off than last year. Evans and McCarthy need to take responsibility for it and address it urgently. Disappointed.

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ONENIL78 added 17:00 - Aug 23 .....hardly a full house then
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HackneyBlue added 17:06 - Aug 23 You put nothing in you get nothing out-Mick to blame as those players did not convince me that they were up for it.Why do these fixtures only seem to matter to us fans,you(ITFC) have spoilt not only my weekend but all the days upto the next derby. I was lucky to see the 70 and 80s derbys when all hell let loose on the field and in the changing room ,big Terry Butcher would punch holes in the dressing room door if we lost.,now its never mind another game at the weekend.

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blueboy1981 added 17:10 - Aug 23 boysinblue ....... whatever you think / say about Hyam, he is, and under McCarthy always will be , a defensive minded midfielder - he creates nothing. He looks for the square, or back , short pass - almost without exception - a creative midfielder will always look for the 'forward pass' first, square pass second, and back pass as an only option. Getting that from Hyam under McCarthy - just won't happen. For a Club in the 'bottom few' at / around Xmas - MM is your man to grind out results to starve of relegation - and will always do a job as good / better than most. Expect more - and the chances are that disappointment will result - we won't go down with him - but the chances are against us achieving much more. This trait portrays itself clearly in his team selection - continuously.

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BlueSuddsy added 17:12 - Aug 23 Was incredibly disappointed with the way that we were set up today. We seemed completely outplayed in the midfield and just whalloping the ball up-field to Daryl Murphy isn't going to help us create any sort of scoring chances. We need a proper playmaker (a championship Iniesta so to speak) and fast! Neither side stood above the rest however. Both sides were uninspired and the best player on the pitch was Mingsy by far. We need to increase our amount of attacking potential and goal scoring threats, you can't just lob the ball McGoldrick and hopes he wins the header to do something spectacular. Not particularly happy, but please make some much needed improvements Mick.

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SickParrot added 17:15 - Aug 23 Another defeat to the budgies and another 3 points lost to a team that did not play well. The simple truth is that this team is not good enough to get anywhere near the playoffs. We are giving away soft goals and because of MM's cautious tactics we do not create many chances and lack the quality to take enough of the few chances we do get. MM did an amazing job to save us from relegation in his first season. His 'stop the opposition playing and hope to nick a goal philosophy' was justified in the circumstances and kept us up, but it will never win enough games to get us promoted. If another mediocre season is to be avoided MM must now bring in some pace and creativity urgently and sort out our defensive generosity.

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manualthetisfanclub added 17:18 - Aug 23 Cack nuff said!
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BenW38 added 17:21 - Aug 23 I agree with the majority of the comments, we need an attacking midfielder who can dictate play in the center of the pitch. Today was poor. We now need to forget the game and focus on the next game and try and push on.
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TimmyH added 17:24 - Aug 23 Dear me!...first derby game in 3 1/2 years and let's be honest it was pretty average stuff between two teams, us - poor and them - average, marshaled by one composed midfielder Wes Hoolohan. Up to their goal there wasn't much in it but once we started to chase the game and get more 'men' (not sure it warrants it) forwards we became exposed just too easily by basic quick passing. Sadly it's not too surprising a result as we've been saying (well some of us) for some time that a team lacking in almost the complete midfield area of any quality or creativity is going to threaten a top 6 position, effort and commitment will only get you so far. As for the defending an area which Mick pride's himself on, well let's put it this way - 4 games and 4 soft goals conceded already (nobody at fault for the Fulham one which directly led to the goal) but if we can't keep clean sheets we're fukced! Anybody fed up by the continued use of words 'Set pieces' (now not appropriate as Cresswell is not here) and 'character' by Sky Sports in reference to us - put them together and we almost sound like the Wimbledon of the late 80's!! at least they had entertaining characters on the pitch we have nothing entertaining. Well at least 'We got out of jail' on this one Mick, in that we didn't almost concede the same amount as of the last home derby. Big shake up needed Mick, not sure where you go from now but a few of your favs have to be dropped and some quality loans needed fairly quickly or we're going to be off the pace (the play-offs) going into September.

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Bluetone added 17:25 - Aug 23 I remember an occasion when we were one goal up with a few minutes to go the then manager Bobby Robson shouting to play it safe. Beattie received the ball in space and charged off down the pitch and buried it in the back of the net. Bobby screamed out I said play it safe the reply came back that is bloody safe. Oh for just a little of that spirit and quality — not going to happen with the current manager.

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Lord_Mac added 17:32 - Aug 23 I think you are all understandably disappointed, but it's easy to forget that we have a team assembled on a shoestring and Norwich have a parachute payment and most of their Premier team in tact. I actually didn't think that taking that into account, there was that much between the teams, and if Murphy had put that gilt-edged chance away, anything might have happened. For a neutral it would have been an entertaining match. We are in much safer hands than we have been for a long time, and while things are certainly not perfect, be careful what you wish for. There are so many idiots in football management. Maybe one of our problems is the danger of boredom - we are facing yet another season of mid-table obscurity - other teams seem to have much more interesting time of it, whereas our only flickers of excitement in the past decade have been flirting with relegation!! I think Gerken may have played his last game for a while. If Bartos had played the first four games, I reckon we'd have 7 points this season and not 4 - and he sets up play through the midfield much more poactively, rather than kick over the top of it all the time.

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