Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Norwich City 1-1 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Sunday, 26th Feb 2017 14:14

Jonas Knudsen netted his second derby goal of the season but Jacob Murphy equalised as Town and Norwich drew 1-1 at Carrow Road. Knudsen opened the scoring with a header on 63, then Murphy beat the otherwise brilliant Bartosz Bialkowski with a 20-yard strike at an angle six minutes later.

The Blues were unchanged from last week’s 1-1 home draw with Leeds with skipper Luke Chambers OK to take his place on the right of the defensive three having been ill earlier in the week.

Cole Skuse continued in central midfield with Toumani Diagouraga, who had also been unwell earlier in the week, back on the bench having been ineligible against his parent club last week.

With Tom Lawrence still suspended, Freddie Sears kept his place alongside David McGoldrick up front despite suffering a groin strain in the draw with the Whites in which he scored his first goal since October.

Norwich made three changes with Steven Whittaker, Yanic Wildschut and Alex Pritchard dropping to the bench and Ivo Pinto and Steven Naismith, both back from injury, and Wes Hoolahan all starting.

More than 2,000 Town fans were in a capacity crowd, as was Framlingham-based pop star Ed Sheeran, sat with the home fans although understood to be a Blues supporter.

The home side were first to threaten in the fifth minute when a corner from the left reached the unmarked Jonny Howson, who smashed a volley against a defender. Town failed to clear and the ball again fell to the former Leeds man, who hit another effort, which deflected wide.

Norwich kept up the early pressure and two minutes later Mitchell Dijks crossed from the left and Cameron Jerome shot wide on the turn when he will feel he ought to have done better.

The Blues threatened for the first time in the ninth minute, Jordan Spence finding Sears on the left of the area but the ball was stabbed behind and Town were unable to make anything of the corner.

From the flag-kick the Blues probably should have been awarded a penalty when Dijks hauled back McGoldrick, however, referee Oliver Langford gave a freekick against the Town striker.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 15th minute when Jerome escaped behind the Town defence - with more than a hint of offside - but Christophe Berra did superbly to get back to slide the ball behind. From the corner, the former Cardiff and Stoke man headed over.

The Canaries continued to look much the more dangerous side and in the 18th minute only a brilliant Bartosz Bialkowski save stopped them from going in front.

Dijks beat Spence and crossed low from the left. The ball struck Berra and then Knudsen, who inadvertently diverted it goalwards only for Bialkowski to pull off a remarkable reaction save to tip it over the bar.

On 20 the Blues’ Polish keeper came out quickly to claim the ball ahead of Jerome from Pinto’s through ball.


Town started to have more of the ball as the game moved towards the half-hour mark with McGoldrick beginning to get more involved.

However, the Blues were still to create a chance and in the 29th minute Bialkowski was again quickly off his line to clear ahead of Jerome, whose battle with Berra was one of the main features of the first half.

Four minutes later, following a corner, the ball was laid back to Hoolahan on the edge of the box but the Irish international’s shot flew well over.
"In the 35th minute a mix-up between Berra and Bialkowski allowed Jerome a free shot at goal, but fortunately the centre-half’s header as the keeper advanced out of his goal had taken the ball very wide and the striker’s shot flew into the side-netting.

The Norwich pressure continued and in the 37th minute the home fans appealed for a penalty after Knudsen blocked a shot from a corner but the ball hadn’t appeared to strike the Danish international anywhere near his hand and referee Langford waved away the protests. Soon after, Myles Kenlock did well to get across to block yet another Norwich shot from just outside the box.

Two minutes before the break McGoldrick hit Town’s first serious strike of the half high and wide into the stand from a tight angle on the left.

The scoreline remained 0-0 after one minute of additional time. The Blues’ backline had withstood a great deal of pressure during the first 45 minutes with Norwich only really coming close to breaking the deadlock on two occasions, Jerome’s early effort on the turn and Knudsen’s almost-own goal when Bialkowski made an outstanding save.

At the other end, Canaries keeper John Ruddy was yet to be tested with McGoldrick - who ought to have won a penalty early on - and Sears only involved fleetingly, while in midfield, Emyr Huws had had an uncharacteristically quiet half.

Three minutes after the restart the home side thought they’d gone in front when Dijks forced a corner from the right over the line, however, the Dutchman was adjudged to have used his hand.

There was a further early scare for the Blues a minute later when Naismith’s flicked header from a freekick seemed destined for the corner of the net until Bialkowski got down and across to push it past the post.

Town made their first change in the 56th minute, Tommy Smith coming on for his first appearance since undergoing a back operation in September in place of Kenlock. Smith took up his usual central defensive role with Knudsen moving to left wing-back.

Soon after the change Town created their first opportunity of the second half, Sears crossing from the right but McGoldrick was unable to divert the ball goalwards. Knudsen cut it back from the left but nowhere near a team-mate.

As the hour approached, Sears was booked for a foul on Pinto and from the freekick Jerome headed the ball into the ground and to Bialkowski.

The Blues were getting more opportunities than they had in the first half and in the 61st minute, after a Knudsen long throw from the left, a loose ball fell to Sears, whose shot was blocked. Norwich subsequently broke but Hoolahan’s ball was too strong and Bialkowski claimed.

But Town were growing in confidence and McGoldrick in influence and in the 63rd minute they went in front. The Irish international striker fed Spence on the right and the ex-West Ham man sent over a cross to the far post from where Knudsen nodded his second East Anglian derby goal into the back of the net before celebrating with the visiting fans on the right.

Norwich briefly looked stunned at having gone behind and McGoldrick crossed from the right to Sears as the Blues went looking for a second goal, but the former Colchester striker was unable to keep the ball in play.

But the Canaries quickly started to threaten to score an equaliser, Naismith hitting a shot from the edge of the box which Bialkowski palmed away.

And in the 69th minute they levelled when Jacob Murphy - nephew of former Blue Tommy Parkin - smashed a powerful shot from just outside the area to the right which flew past Bialkowski’s left hand inside his near post. The keeper may feel he ought to have got down to it.

Jerome nodded a Dijks cross wide on 73, before Bialkowski made another fantastic save, diverting Alexander Tettey’s powerfully hit shot from just inside the area over.

Town switched Sears for Kieffer Moore, then Norwich swapped Naismith for Josh Murphy and then Hoolahan for Pritchard. Not long after, Diagouraga replaced Huws for the Blues.

As the match moved into its final 10 minutes the Canaries were continuing to have most of the chances - Bialkowski again did well to save Pritchard’s shot hit low to his right - but Town were threatening on the break, Timm Klose doing well to cut out Skuse’s cross from the left for McGoldrick. On 86 Spence was booked for pulling back Josh Murphy.

In the 88th minute Dijks hot a powerful strike from distance which Bialkowski confidently held on to with Norwich continuing to press Town as they looked for a winning goal.

In five minutes of injury time Dijks turned a corner wide, then seconds before the whistle Pritchard fired over from distance.

Despite having gone ahead, Town will be the happier with the point and the share of the derby spoils having been under the cosh at times with the Blues backline resilient and man of the match Bialkowski making a number of superb saves.

At the other end, Town, quieter and less on the front foot than in other recent games, rarely tested Ruddy aside from the goal, although they will feel they ought to have been awarded a penalty in the first half when McGoldrick was manhandled by Dijks.

The Canaries will be disappointed with a draw which will have dealt their play-off ambitions a setback, particularly having had so much of the ball.

Given the current financial disparities between the clubs Town will feel the two derby draws - the first time both league clashes between the sides have ended level in the professional era - reflects upon them better than their deadliest rivals, although the wait for a win against the Canaries continues, the last victory having been the 3-2 April 2009 win at Portman Road and the last at Carrow Road having been the 2-1 success in February 2006.

The result sees the Blues stay in 15th ahead of next Saturday’s home game against Brentford, who are two places and one point ahead of them.

Norwich City: Ruddy, Pinto, Martin, Klose, Dijks, Tettey, Howson, Jacob Murphy, Hoolahan (Pritchard 79), Naismith (Josh Murphy 76), Jerome. Unused: McGovern, Whittaker, Wildschut, Lafferty, Bennett, Josh Murphy.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Berra, Knudsen, Kenlock (T Smith 56), Skuse, Ward, Huws (Diagouraga 81), Sears (Moore 75), McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Emmanuel, T Smith, Bru, Moore, Pitman. Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands). Att: 27,107.


Photo: TWTD



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



obj124 added 14:17 - Feb 26
This is a good away point from what is a hard place to come and claim points! For example, Newcasle, only managed a 2-2 draw, Southampton, again only managing a 2-2 draw in the FA cup. Nottingham Forest got smashed 5-1! So take the positives, we were never out of the game. When you look at the cost of the two sides - £57 million for Norwich and £1.5 million for us, this just shows our capability to compete with top sides. Unbeaten throughout February considering our fixture list is incredible. The performances certainly warranted better results. Remember we were also our star man down, and he's back now, lets hope this form continues and i personally would like to see Mick stay for next season, if given sufficient transfer funds i believe he is the one that will take us back to the top division. Yes we were up against it a lot of the time today but we showed solid defensive ability. Continue this to the end of the season, then strengthen in the summer and we will be up there next season! COYB!
34

martin587 added 14:18 - Feb 26
Well done Lads,FANTASTIC BART.Only one shot on target but I will take that.Another happy drive home.I can get used to this.👍😃😃
28

iaintaylorx added 14:19 - Feb 26
How we never had a penalty in the first half is shocking! Why is the referee waching the flight of the ball from a corner and not the players!?

What a performance from Bart though, despite the goal he is just incredible! Good solid performance, shame to concede an avoidable goal though, but credit to the lads! Didzy looking good again with his touch and looks like we have a new Danny Haynes in Jonas!! Now lets let the youngsters have some gane time as we have nothing to play for now!

Makes me laugh how much they have spent in comparison to us makes it even sweater and hopefully we have dented their play off hopes!
22

blue75 added 14:21 - Feb 26
4 shots 1 on target sums it up really. I'm sure McCarthy will wax lyrical how great he is and all the inners will lap it up!!! Another mediocre derby performance playing for the draw with 10 mins to go is not acceptable!!! McCarthy out
-24

OwainG1992 added 14:21 - Feb 26
Could graft from the lads. Tough on Bart that 1 mistake means 1 conceded goal. Cracking effort and drive from Knudson getting the header in. Proud of the lads and lets push on until the end of the season and whether Mick is in charge or not please back the manager financially!
16

iaintaylorx added 14:21 - Feb 26
Sweeter*
5

OldClactonBlue added 14:22 - Feb 26
Fortunate point in the end. Still too negative.
At least we didn't lose though and hopefully next season winning will be more important.
5

jas0999 added 14:23 - Feb 26
A point is clearly better than a loss, but a draw is little use to either team. Good battling display and yet again you can't fault the effort. Yet, I'm disappointed. With little to play for, I was really hoping we would treat today as a one off cup final. Go there and take the game to Norwich and look to win the game from the outset. We didn't. Looked like a typical play for a point and hope to nick a goal. We did that, but in the end it was never likely to be enough. One shot at goal all game in a derby isn't good enough. Bart - despite the error stopped us from conceding six.

Overall, considering the chances they had, I guess we will have to be content with a point. The performance though was disappointing - far too negative for me. We look an average side.
14

ShropshireBluenago09 added 14:26 - Feb 26
Diaguarrga would have been a better option than Skuse, would have given Huws and Grant a bit more licence to create, but that said a good point. Surprised Pitman didn't come on - to bigger game for Kieffer Moore to make an impact.
12

truckerblue added 14:27 - Feb 26
Blue75
Yes we did only have 1 on target. We scored from that 1 on target though. I'm not a mick fan by any stretch of the imagination but who's gonna do any better with everything that is available?
12

Taricco_Fan added 14:29 - Feb 26
A good, hard-fought point, even better given the context of the disparity in transfer funds between the two clubs.

But man, that was a difficult watch.

If we are to compete in this division we need to start investing in some quality players capable of quick, passing football. We look so ponderous and heavy in possession whereas Norwich pass crisply and move quickly.

Could have been 5-1 without Bart.
25

bluemike1969 added 14:30 - Feb 26
It's a point gained for us and two lost for them. What are the 'Norwich lovers' About Anglia going to say tonight as we matched them in all areas of the park and clearly did us proud!! I have never been a McCarthy supporter but I can see how the belief is coming back to put once great club. If we change managers in the close season then make it the right one. If we had Big Ben today I think things may have been different. Well done lads, nothing to be ashamed off with that performace from a side costing alot more than ours!
More red needed Delia.....the playoffs are moving away from you so time to drown your sorrows. Too of the table team you clearly aren't! !!!!
5

grumpyoldman added 14:31 - Feb 26
Tomorrow I can go to work among the scummers and not suffer the ridicule of past seasons. Better than a defeat but from some of the comments from Jas0999 whose opinion I respect not the greatest derby display, just a play for a point, typical MM
7

blue75 added 14:31 - Feb 26
Truckerblue I don't know who would do better and it's not my job to pick someone thankfully. But change is need!!! Town fans used to laugh at Sunderland and Wolves managed by McCarthy. His style hasn't changed and it never will.
3

Swn98 added 14:32 - Feb 26
Mom Bart, well done Jonas yet another shocking refereeing decision to not give pen not worth dwelling on.
Brilliant point let's start building for next year and do the double over the Scum.
4

TimmyH added 14:32 - Feb 26
A reasonable point (as predicted) but not going to get too over excited as I thought the game was pretty low on quality and certainly have seen better Norwich sides in the last few years and on this showing doubt they'll make the play-offs whether that was down to us is debatable. 1st half fairly forgettable with Norwich in the final 1/3rd just poor with a few opportunities missed whilst we had more possession and more players getting forward largely down to the 3-5-2 system but with little or no penetration. 2nd half we played somewhat better with Nodge largely playing on the break. Mention for McGoldrick again as per last saturday who was the stand out outfield player for us and tried his boots off to make something happen just a shame Lawrence wasn't playing alongside him.

Overall you can't expect to win with only 1 effort on target too many times away from home (Derby, Villa) as it's really taking the Mick :) - the change to the 3-5-2 formation makes us look more organised but makes you wonder why it wasn't employed earlier in the season. Now for the more important games where we play somewhat lesser teams, that's where the proof of the the pudding will lay if we have improved.

Well done lads...a point today which puts a small dent in Nodge's play-off hopes, no more no less, let's not get carried away.
14

prebsa added 14:32 - Feb 26
They had alot of chances so will take 1-1 turns out that feb was better than well done town
5

RoyalAscotBlue added 14:33 - Feb 26
Much much better. Berra has seemingly adjusted to the new system now, and with Tommy back I'm sure we will be stronger from now. The new midfield players have made all the difference and we should be looking to tie those players down to permanent deals now, not start thinking about it in the summer. Nothing else changes for me though, Mick should go in the summer.
9

SpiritOfJohn added 14:33 - Feb 26
Great point and good team effort. Good to see us keep the ball better with McGoldrick looking back to near his best. Pleased that McCarthy got Moore on a bit earlier than usual but worried that Knudsen will replace Kenlock next week with Smith coming back in from the start. Great goal by Knudsen but would love to see Kenlock keep his place as he is a natural wingback.
9

hollywoodginge added 14:34 - Feb 26
Obj124 - I have refrained from commenting on here for a long long time, just thought I'd break that by saying your words reflect my sentiments verbatim. Nothing more to add.
1

Mick_Mills_Tache added 14:34 - Feb 26
Ipswich squad total cost today - £1.06m
Norwich squad total cost today - £35m

F**king up any last hopes of a play off push from the Budgies - priceless.

Valiant effort from the boys today although very much a backs to the wall job. Should've had a penalty first half but would've been harsh on the scum to be fair. Big Pole in the goal kept us in it so can't grumble too much at him being beaten at the near post. Well done Town. Difficult month and we've done much better than expected (although I wasn't far out by predicting 5 points after the Derby match!)
14

BlueandTruesince82 added 14:41 - Feb 26
Love to see us get Dia in for keeps. Felt we needed his busyness today. Good point average performance. Super Bart bar the goal but can't blame him. He is top top class
9

Lightningboy added 14:41 - Feb 26
Decent points and decent performances in recent games against better teams.

Thought we could have and maybe should have had more of a go at them today as they looked shaky whenever we had possesion around their box,plus we had nothing to lose really.

If only Lawrence had been fit.
9

Bert added 14:42 - Feb 26
A resolute performance against a multi million pound team. Not a game to allow too much freedom but with the derby out of the way, let's hope we return to a more attacking approach which we appreciated during February. Pity that Sky took an age to realise that the disallowed goal was a deliberate arm to the ball and that McG was hauled to the ground when the ref wasn't even looking. Poor commentary from them but a well earned point for us.
5

TimmyH added 14:49 - Feb 26
Why are people jibbering on about how much the starting 11/squads cost in comparison?...we know on any given day in the Championship a majority of teams can can compete with each other and particularly in derby matches. Teams that have been promoted from this league i.e Burnley, Watford, Cardiff, Palace, Stoke etc of recent years... have made the jump at not great cost.
My 83 year old dad at half time said to me 'why are Ipswich games so dull'? (lifelong supporter in reference to TV games) and then proceeded to go into his garage and tinker around...says it all.
10


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024