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

itfchorry added 17:19 - Feb 26 They were there for the taking - Sadly, our Mansger only ever wanted a point.
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TimmyH added 17:22 - Feb 26 @Mick Mills Tache - yes I agree to a point BUT it doesn't automatically make you a better team with these players worth X amount...I've always wanted Evans to splash a bit more cash than what he's doing right now (and as we all know that's not much) on some sensible signings but we've seen little apart from loanees. The majority of the teams in this league are average, sides like Reading, Leeds and Sheff Wed are all beatable they are only where they are currently as they've shown more consistency through the season. If you look at some of the Norwich players today they look like they might be nearing the end of their peak at a certain level - Jerome, Hoolohan, Tettey and Naismith all quite poor and money for players like Klose and Naismith they won't be getting back, I very mush doubt they'll make the play-offs but still a way to go just yet.

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blueboy1981 added 17:31 - Feb 26 ......... I'm surprised some of you aren't calling for a Civic Reception in the morning. Sad times indeed - when so easily satisfied.
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WindsorBlueArmy added 17:34 - Feb 26 I think the stat which was revealed today re transfer spending in the last 4 years puts a lot in perspective(50 million against under 2 million).It was so good to see a battling performance today and playing for the shirt.Its a long time since I have witnessed such a display from Skuse in the middle of the park.Bart was his usual immense,player of the season self.It is clear that Chambers is happier being a round peg in round hole!!!!!Mcgoldrick was different class reminding us of 2/3 seasons ago.Well done to staff,players and fans.Another happy return journey!!!With present formation what could happen with Webster,Emmanuel,Dozzell,Bishop,Lawrence returning? In case some fans missed today's honest chant 15 years in the Championship,We're still famous and Norwich are s##t!!!

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blue75 added 17:36 - Feb 26 cat thanks for your words of support. I think I'll be ok.
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powinswitch added 17:38 - Feb 26 This is one of the few games where the ends justifies the means. We were not at all great today, but a draw at that Shiite hole is acceptable. As others have said the difference in money spent tells a hell f a story, lots of effort from all the players today, so no complaints from me. Happy with a point, now let's put in a performance next Saturday and look to play decent football again.

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Bluethroughandthroug added 17:41 - Feb 26 Well certainy got a reaction from bluey123. Clearly you were also around in Bobby Robson's days, so strangely enough I have seen my fair share of good football and even I can recognise the difference. Put yourself forward , i'm sure you could do a better job or talk it a least.
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therein61 added 18:00 - Feb 26 Cole Skuse, IS off the pace floats like a butterfly and stings like one plays people into trouble never ever picks up a man when he chases(chase what a laugh!!!) back after suffering a dizzy spell going over the half way line! how the hell he started in front of Toumani is beyond me but then he is a crawling favourite(must be in his contract to start) he is the biggest reason for our negative football and is not worthy of wearing the shirt!! well done the rest of the team for carrying him and giving your all.

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warktheline added 18:29 - Feb 26 My perspective, how far have we come since our 2 leg play off defeat against Norwich a couple of seasons ago? We haven't progressed and it could most certainly be argued in fact we are further behind the likes Norwich ( currently sitting 8th and 6 points adrift of play off spot) than ever, since McCarthy's second 'highest point' season! Let's face facts, a point is arguably more than we deserved! But for some superb goalkeeping and wasteful finishing,it could have been a touch embarrassing! Again we are back to depending upon 'loans' and alike to muddle through the division, all rather uninspiring. I'm struggling to see any positive in regards to long development, but take small solace in 'recent' above par performances and results! Maybe 'lady luck' is shining upon Suffolk presently, and if so, long may it continue, as Town fans have suffered more than their fair share of heartache over,which seems a lifetime, recent times!

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bohslegend added 18:39 - Feb 26 Blue boy you are turning into a caricature of yourself. I swear, if you weren't on here each week you would be on the Muppets Show howling insults from a balcony, only not so funny. You seem to hate Ipswich fans saying anything positive about the team or even ffs enjoying a bit of local rivalry banter and bitching (you seem to think we should feel sorry that we've fcuked up the budgies playoff hopes!). Go on, what else are we all sh1t at?

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blueboy1981 added 18:50 - Feb 26 bohslegend .......... you really are a sad case. Enough said.
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blueboy1981 added 18:57 - Feb 26 Our Club has changed beyond all recognition - we have become an 'all accepting Club' - a far cry from our previous heights. All the evidence anyone needs to prove the point - is on this forum after a 'point at Carrot Road'. Big Deal.
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blueboy1981 added 19:02 - Feb 26 ......... at least I'm on here every week bohslegend ....... more than can be said for you .... !!!!
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alfromcol added 19:30 - Feb 26 Enjoyable day out, A1 celebration of the Town goal, great away fan atmosphere and support. Would have liked 3 pts but nicking 2 pts from the Budgies was a plus. 6 pts and a positive attitude for the next two home games please Mr MM
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warktheline added 19:55 - Feb 26 @blueboy, don't forget our very own FR David 'words don't come easy' has had that rather large lump in his throat considering McCarthy has only managed two wins in double figure attempts! Let the poor boy get it out of his system!
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cat added 19:55 - Feb 26 Blueboy1981 - spot on, Simply Baffling fella! Falling attendances, hoofball, favourites and the fact we are not progressing are plenty enough reasons for me to want change.
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BrandestonBlue added 19:57 - Feb 26 I don't think anyone is saying we are where we want to be but to go unbeaten in February with the fixtures we had deserves huge credit after the Derby debacle Two wins in ten ? I prefer unbeaten in 5 ! Technically Mick didn't come out with a statement that he was happy with a point - he was asked whether he was happy with a point and he said yes although I suspect part of him is wondering what might have been if Bart had managed to keep the near post shot out We move on with 2 home games with Lawrence back in the squad so hope that the fans will get behind the team and they can bring home 6 points !

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heathen66 added 20:13 - Feb 26 Great result but not the greatest performance. Yet again Bialkowski has been required to save us, although really could have been a different story if the stone wall penalty was given early on. If there ref says he did not see it how did he give a foul my McGoldrick...I think it is called bottling it !!! Did not really get on the front foot and the stats reflect this. McGoldrick again looked the class outfield player but we never gave him any real support. The defence worries me and were caught out numerous times, but was glad Jerome had an off day. The quicker Taylor comes back the better he will provide some organisation. Some will point at Bialkowski for the goal but there were 2 defenders there and not one of them challenged. I thought Huws had a quiet game, but is entitled to have one now and again (must be the summers No.1 target). Mick said before the game he would settle for a draw and I think we did at 0-0, 0-1 and at 1-1.

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BillBlue added 20:37 - Feb 26 BrandestonBlue - Technically I think he said he would have settled for a point before the game started. Whatever he was playing "not to lose" rather than to win!
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Brownie added 20:45 - Feb 26 God help us if we'd lost with some people on here.. We need change but a point at Norwich & the general performance level in Feb has by pretty much all accounts been better. Assuming we don't want to keep posting the same thing all the time then perhaps we should reflect that. Civic reception not required! Can't remember many asking for one. But I'm not hammering them for getting a point against a better team away from home. The trick now is to do something about the fact they are a better team....change the manager, get the owner to invest in new players & get some more young players coming through. And reduce the prices Mr Evans! COYB!

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bohslegend added 20:46 - Feb 26 Blueboy, Warktheline, Cat, Blue 75 - the Minus Men Hunting in packs you lot. You sniff out a bit of positivity on here and round on it together. Blueboy last week asking people to take their finger off the minus button ?? But for consistency lads, even if I have to do it on my own, I'll give you all your minus marks each time you say something negative about the team. The whole lot of you must be bricking it. The team looks like it's turning the corner with better performances (wow! could it be that key players are back from injury??) and your "end-of-the-world-doomsday-scenarios" are looking less likely. You keep harping on about our glory days blueboy, guess what? the world has changed and you my prehistoric friend need to get over it. It's a money game now. The rich clubs are getting richer and unfortunately the likes of our club are merely picking up scraps from the banquet table. You are not comparing like for like. How come so many pros, ex-pros and pundits can see that the manager has performed miracles while fickle tantrum throwers like you lot seem to have a misplaced sense of entitlement? Too much FIFA17? Or maybe Subbuteo in your case Blueboy??

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dannyrr added 20:55 - Feb 26 This was my first Derby game away to Norwich and although I wanted to see a win at Carrot Road my expectations were reduced when I heard on the radio on the way there that we hadn't won there since 2006. On paper with the players Norwich have and the money they cost we should have been battered and humiliated off the park. If we had Tom Lawrence today we would have have had someone to run at their defence which they wouldn't have been able to cope with. I don't think Freddie was the best choice up front today as he seemed weak and he can't win the ball in the air. The first half score was probably better than we would have expected. I thought MM would have made changes at half time as we needed a threat up front. Maybe if we had made the changes earlier it may have prevented us from conceding so soon after we scored. They were getting a lot of joy down that wing and were being allowed to walk the ball into danger areas without any challenges going in and that's why they equalised because we were allowing them space without challenges. It was crazy when we scored. Reminded me of being at the Rangers and Celtic Derby. I was disappointed that we stood the whole game as I couldn't see most of the game with even people in the row standing in front of me. A point was respectable and I had a good day out. Police outriders escorting the coaches there and back, the game and myself and my son got interviewed for Town102 on the way back to the coach. February looked like we were going to struggle for points and after the disappointing Derby result the fact we haven't lost a game hasn't been bad certainly more than we would have contemplated. Let's finish the season with some decent results and do it for pride. COYB ⚽⚽⚽

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cat added 21:01 - Feb 26 Bohslegend - super striker was more my thing!!. I'm not in the habit of downmarking posters but you have to realise on here fella that if you give it you have to learn to take it. I'm my own man, and i do not follow the "HERD". I try to balance my posts (check history) but i am very unhappy with the current situation.
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warktheline added 21:55 - Feb 26 @bohslegend, oh dear, are you truly serious, 'bricking it' . One very delusional character. Are you suggesting we are about to go charging up the league table!
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bohslegend added 21:56 - Feb 26 Fair enough Cat, but look at your up marks, you're in good company
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