A goal in either half from Bradley Johnson and Lewis Grabban gave Norwich City a 2-0 victory over Town in the East Anglian derby at Carrow Road. Johnson opened the scoring on 24 with a strike off the underside of the bar with Grabban adding the second in the 62nd minute.

Town boss Mick McCarthy handed Richard Chaplow his full Blues debut at the most advanced point of a midfield diamond ahead of Cole Skuse with Kevin Bru on the right and Jay Tabb on the left.

Paul Anderson and Jonny Parr dropped to the bench, while Teddy Bishop missed out with the ankle injury he suffered in training.

David McGoldrick (thigh), Darren Ambrose, Stephen Hunt (both hamstring), Noel Hunt and Luke Hyam (knee) had all previously been ruled out. Former Northgate High School pupil Hyam watched the game fro the away end.

Chris Wood, who signed on loan from Leicester on Friday, was on the bench alongside 17-year-old first-year scholar Kundai Benyu, who was in the matchday 18 for the first time.

The game started in a swirling wind with the home side threatening first in the third minute when Lewis Grabban was found on the right of the area, but Tyrone Mings got across to muscle him off the ball.

Norwich felt they ought to have been awarded a penalty in the seventh minute when Grabban was tackled by Tommy Smith. Referee Paul Tierney awarded a corner but replays suggested the Canaries might have had a case. From the second of two flag-kicks the ball was cleared to Jonny Howson, who volleyed well wide.

There was a scare for the Blues on 13 when Chaplow allowed Howson to send over a cross from the left after a corner from the right had been sent too deep. Norwich Johnson flicked a header which Berra blocked, then Murphy cleared the loose ball.

Skuse picked up the game’s first booking in the 16th minute for catching Johnson with a high boot as the home side broke on halfway.

The majority of the first 20 minutes had been played in the Norwich half but without the Blues having been able to create a chance. When in decent areas all too often a pass had been lacking at the crucial moment.

Much the same was the case in the 23rd minute when Chaplow won the ball on the right and broke into the area but failed to find Murphy with his cross.

A minute later the home side went in front. Wes Hoolahan fed Grabban on the right and the striker’s low cross caught Berra’s heel and found Johnson rushing into the area on the left, from where he smashed a shot into the net off the underside of the bar.

The Blues looked to hit straight back but Murphy failed to get anything on a shot from the edge of the box and Norwich keeper Ruddy claimed comfortably.

Town weren’t far away from an equaliser in the 31st minute when Bru won the ball midway inside the Blues’ half and sent Murphy away down the left. The Irishman crossed low to Sears, who touched the ball past his defender before shooting. However, the touch had allowed Ruddy time to come off his line and the keeper blocked.

Sears hit a 20-yard strike from the left which Ruddy saved to his left on 35, then three minutes later Hoolahan hit a looping effort from further out which Bartosz Bialkowski claimed.

Neither side threatened again before referee Tierney’s whistle signalled the half-time break.

Having gone in front the home side had largely been on top without particularly threatening to add to their lead. The well-worked goal was the one time they had cut through the Blues during the first half.

But Town were far form out of it, having continued to battle away in their usual manner and they might well have been on terms but for Ruddy’s impressive save from Sears.

Aside from that and Sears’s effort from distance soon after, Town hadn’t managed to test the home keeper on too many more occasions in a derby of few chances at either end.

Luke Varney replaced Chaplow at start of the second half and the Blues went close soon after the restart when Johnson inadvertently smashed Tabb’s freekick in from the left over his own crossbar.

On 53 Berra did well to cut out Grabban’s cross from the left, then from the corner Johnson headed wide. Two minutes later Grabban hit a low shot through to Bialkowski which failed to trouble the Polish keeper.

Sears saw a strike blocked on 58 with Town beginning to put the home side under a bit of pressure. Three minutes later, Norwich swapped Nathan Redmond for Cameron Jerome.

Within a minute of coming on the former Cardiff man inadvertently created the second goal for Grabban. Having been forced wide to the left by Berra, Jerome cut in and hit a shot which struck Mings, deflected off Grabban and trickled over the line.

As the Blues looked to get back into the game Ruddy saved from Sears from distance on 67, then two minutes later Parr replaced Bru in the Blues midfield.

It might have been 3-0 in the 73rd minute when Jerome was threaded through on goal but Bialkowski came off his line quickly to save.

Despite the match appearing lost the Blues kept going and twice threatened in the 76th minute. After Ruddy had dropped a cross, the ball was returned into the box and Sears and then Parr both had shots blocked.

With 11 minutes left on the clock new signing Wood took over from 21-goal Championship top scorer Murphy.

Sears almost created a goal for Town in the 81st minute. Tabb took a quick freekick and the former Colchester man chipped a cross over Ruddy but Johnson headed off the line and Sebastian Bassong nodded over.

Three minutes later Mings was booked for a foul on Howson. From the freekick, Canaries skipper Russell Martin stabbed into the side-netting at the far post.

Wood flicked a header wide from a Parr cross after a Town freekick in the 86th minute with the Blues continuing to look for a goal which would never come.

Paul Tierney’s whistle signalled Norwich’s victory - their fourth derby in a row for the first time in their history - a result which sees the Canaries move up to third and the Blues remain in sixth.

While there wasn’t a huge amount in the game and Town had one or two chances, the home side played the more controlled football for the most part and took their best first-half chance, while the Blues failed to take theirs.

The somewhat flukey second goal came at a time when Town were starting to impose themselves on the game. The Blues kept pushing and carved out one or two half-chances but never really looked like getting back into the game once they had gone two goals behind.

Norwich: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin (c), Bassong, Olsson, Tettey, Johnson, Redmond (Jerome 61 (Hooper 90)), Howson, Hoolahan (Dorrans 83), Grabban. Unused: Rudd, Turner, Hooper, Andreu, Garrido.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Bru (Parr 69), Chaplow (Varney 46), Bru, Murphy, Sears. Unused: Gerken, Clarke, Anderson, Benyu. Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire). Attendance: 27,005.

Photo: Action Images

tractorboykent added 16:20 - Mar 1 Not pathetic. Not gutless. That's emotion talking and nothing else. We have spirit and we have organisation but we don't have creativity and flexibility. We need all 4 to be serious contenders. The table now looks pretty realistic to me. It's bloody horrible to lose to that lot but let's be realistic. I thought Tabb, Chaplow and Sears all played well today but we weren't good enough as a team. Let's keep focused on the rest of the season an see what we can get.

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miltonsnephew added 16:20 - Mar 1 Worst I've ever seen, chaplow off never to be on again. Varney off was totally poor, should of started with woods!! Or definitely on before Varney!
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EssexTractor added 16:22 - Mar 1 Oh dear, our limitations exposed today. No goalie would have stopped Johnsons shot and wouldn't we like a midfielder capable of such a finish. Second goal a muddle but credit to Jerome for persistence and compare his contribution as a substitute with the woeful Varneys. Berra to be exempted from criticism but Chambers and Smith yet again displayed nil ability in control or distribution. Midfield Skuse dreadful. Bru ineffective, Tabb ran a lot. Corner taking poor. Murphy lacked his usual oomph. Freddie Sears despite his stature,head and shoulders above the rest of his teammates. I think we all expected it to be a difficult game but annoyingly, disappointingly, Norwich won this without any undue effort on their part. They recognised our shortcomings, our limitations. Statistics may show we had greater possession but yet again we failed to step up to the plate in another really important game. No class, no creativity. No quality.

5

DurhamTownFan added 16:24 - Mar 1 I think the reason people complain so much is because it's so bloody boring! Even my Sunday league team try to get it down and knock it about a bit, so I can't for the life of me understand why 11 professional footballers can't think 'hey, this isn't working, let's try and keep the ball for a bit'. Beggars belief sometimes! The good news is, we have plenty of games left, we've signed a decent player in Wood, and we've got McG to come back from injury. So there's still a chance for a decent finish. We'll all be absolutely gutted if we finish lower than 6th from where we were at Christmas. Not sure how I'd cope!

12

bluemikey100 added 16:25 - Mar 1 hoof ball works a treat keep passin back to goalie and hoofed again then lose possession all time wots the point when sears looked good with ball at his feet
1

blue86 added 16:26 - Mar 1 Lost another derby... Norwich have so much more Quality in every area. Our midfield especially are Nowhere near good enough. In a way I hope norwich Get automatic promotion! Which is saying something. But if we do finish the playoffs with them and have to Face them, we all know how that one ends. Very very Disappointing! Season not over yet, but not feeling Optimistic. Coyb

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bluefeast added 16:27 - Mar 1 nothing but a total shame ,these dropped points along with others are the difference between having a midfield and not ,weve signed chap low , varney and smith ,none have been playing recently and lack any sharpness they had.Its a joke we needed drive and strength and skill in midfield and offer so little. Our signings have weakend us ,how often could you say that of a team. MM has lost the plot , subs made no impact at all ,we look like a side who have plan a and nothing else.

5

ITFC_Cotton added 16:30 - Mar 1 Can't understand why we continued the hoofball in the second half when it's clear it wasn't working, Smith- Needs dropping, looks too nervous on the ball and always has to turn to clear being left footed. Tabb- Fails to beat the first Man all the time and yet he is our designated taker? I wouldn't have him in the squad. Anyone who says it was a passionate performance clearly didn't watch, gutless and toothless display.

8

pw100470 added 16:31 - Mar 1 Have none of you lot been watching championship football this season, this was a typical game where a bit of luck and quality changd the game.Thought we did ok but thought Norwich were ordinary too considering their squad costs soo much.Parr needs to start with smith needig a rest.Coyb
2

PinstripeBlue added 16:31 - Mar 1 14 points from last 30! Just not good enough. If we carry on like this we will finish mid table again.
3

Elizabeth added 16:32 - Mar 1 Oh dear , Oh dear, Oh dear. What a pathetic performance! Why oh why is Chambers still playing at full back. No shape , creativity , width I could go on. It really was panic stations bringing on all the new signings today. All going wrong at the worst possible time.
6

airliner added 16:36 - Mar 1 Money as a poster said , their wage bill must be enormous and they have the parachute to do it. Calm down everyone we are over achieving as it is. Playoffs are about right .
-3

cartman1972 added 16:38 - Mar 1 Senduntd I watched the game so saw first hand how poor mings was and charlieitfc I am fully entitled to say how I feel it was woeful and inept if you want to be positive after that dross go ahead
5

tobymeadz added 16:38 - Mar 1 First half .. They scored a deflected screamer, we missed a one on one, could of gone either way Second half .. We brought on varney they brought on jerome ... It just shows the difference in money Reading all the comments people saying we are useless ... We are still three points off second ... The reason the table is sooo tight is because the top eight are all in the same boat .. Nobody can keep consistency Hopefully Chris wood has a good month for us and we drop Tommy smith ... Leeds away a very important game COYB!!!!

2

jas0999 added 16:39 - Mar 1 Bitterly disappointing but not a surprise. Starting line up told us we were there for a 0-0, which is fine unless you concede. Midfield lacked balance. Essentially four central defence minded players who very rarely score a goal. As soon as the second went in, we had no way back, our bench even lacks goals. Our form since January has been too inconsistent. Forget top 2, we need to hang on to a play off spot. Who would have thought that at Christmas. I said we needed to strengthen in January and was slated for it by many, but have seen little to change my mind. We signed Varney and Chaplow (panic buys) but they aren't really good enough. Clearly we needed players, so why we didn't do our business in January is still beyond me. We still lack the necessary goals and forward play in midfield and desperately need a wide man if we are going to retain a play off place. I still truly believe for a very modest (half season loans) January investment we would be talking automatic promotion. Anyone could see the midfield needed strengthening. If we don't make the play offs now - which is far from guaranteed, questions will be asked and Evans/MM will have to answer them. Disappointing.

9

Davesullivan65 added 16:40 - Mar 1 Same old story, as someone wrote,we really aren't good enough,! Mick and team should just change the team about try different ways now,forget favourites,and none of our goalies are quality,show the goalkeeping coach the door ! Realistically do any of us think we are good enough to go into Premiership?
0

Hegansheroes added 16:42 - Mar 1 Outplayed, out thought & down right atrocious. MM is a manager well past his sell by date, time for him to go at the end of the season. He's done what was required but cannot take us any further and is so negative in every respect, also extremely arrogant and embarrassing. Please can ITFC start to play football again, maybe I was spoilt over the many years I have been a ITFC supporter but I do find this very hard to stomach even when we are winning.

2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:42 - Mar 1 We were second best today. Not by a country mile, but Naarwich were pretty solid in defence and were always in with a chance of a second goal as we pushed forward. No lack of endeavour and good away support, so I can't see you can really blame anyone. We need more midfield creativity and we need to keep hold of the ball more. But if you don't have the players to do that in the face of the opposition, then you do the best you can, which I think we did. I'd like to see Mick try a few new options from now on tho'. Nothing much to lose, really. Murphy looks tired and could maybe do with a rest. Wood could probably do a job, and if Didsy comes back, we're still in with a chance. A fit Teddy Bishop would also be a plus. At least go down on the front foot if we have to.

6

warwickblue added 16:43 - Mar 1 A fair result I have to say, although it hurts to. The difference? Norwich have one or two quality midfielders. We have not really had a midfield all season. I can't see that these new loanees are the answer. That said, it's only one game - we have done exactly what Derby and Boro did yesterday and I don't think either of them will be thinking their seasons are over. MInd you we'll have to pick things up again quickly.

7

bluefeast added 16:46 - Mar 1 MM is an honest hard working manager. BUT to play Chaplow from the off ,hes arrived from Millwall not match fit ,he then gets subed at half time for Luke Varney , who is not match fit. What is that all about ,i simply do not understand the logic im afraid. I find losing any game really difficult ,we are now 10 points above nottingham forrest who are 9th and on a role with momentum. Two points above Wolves who have momentum. Are we looking up or down after achieving 14 points from a possible 30. Please MM play the players who fit a system the best ,not has beens who you have signed on loan expecting them to make any diffence. I beg a top 6 spot. One stat ,No team has finished outside of the top 6 who were top 2 at christmas in the championship.

5

Bobby_Petta added 16:46 - Mar 1 Mick lost us the game with team selection, Norwich weren't that good and were there for the taking. With Tabb, Skuse and Chaplow in Midfield we didn't stand a chance. Nothing in midfield apart form Bru and Mick takes him off! How Tabb and Skuse played 90 mins I'll never know. Chambers in the middle and Parr at full back, give Stewart a go Can't be worse than Tabb. Wood is a good player but we needed another midfielder. Can see Chaplow is the answer.

4

happybeingblue added 16:46 - Mar 1 Do we practice corners in training ?? Tabbs were woeful we never look a threat on any set piece we have all big guys who can head but barely one decent ball in box throughout game !!!
3

Bobby_Petta added 16:48 - Mar 1 sorry should say Can't see chaplow is the anwser!
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NSL added 16:48 - Mar 1 Is there a thread in this site which doesn't mention the name Johnny Williams? Really getting on my wick. You may as well say that we need any player! Inesta, mata, Ronaldo. He isn't our player and it makes us look pathetic that we can't move on. Aside from that I thought he was lightweight and put in some pretty average performances to be honest.
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beeringo added 16:49 - Mar 1 Leaked: town pre-match team talk - MM: "Right lads, number 1 the floor is lava so make sure you keep the ball in the air at every opportunity" TS: "what if we have time to pick a pass?" MM: "b*****it, and while we're at it Tommy, i want you keeping your head down and playing it back, no positive football you hear?". That goes for all of you. Hoof it up and hope for some luck. Apart from you freddie, you can play your best today. Only you though, the rest of you... Hoof."

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