Town’s long wait for East Anglian derby glory continues after James Maddison’s 59th minute goal saw Norwich City to a 1-0 victory at Portman Road. The Blues, who haven't beaten the Canaries since April 2009, will feel they deserved something from the game having been the better side in a first half in which Jonas Knudsen hit the post and David McGoldrick headed over when he will feel he should have scored.

Joe Garner, Tom Adeyemi and Jordan Spence returned to the Town starting line-up with Dominic Iorfa dropping to the bench along with Grant Ward, while Myles Kenlock was left out of the 18.

Garner began the game as part of a front three along with Martyn Waghorn to his right and McGoldrick to his left, while Adeyemi, who came through the youth system with the Canaries before making a handful of senior appearances for the Norfolk side, was in a three-man midfield with Cole Skuse and Tristan Nydam.

Spence was on the right of a back four with skipper Luke Chambers to the right of Adam Webster in the centre and Knudsen at left-back.

For the Canaries, Marco Stiepermann replaced James Husband at left-back following a groin injury, while Wes Hoolahan, playing in his 10th East Anglian derby, was in midfield for Marco Vrancic.

Town hit the first shot of the game in the third minute, but Waghorn’s scuffed strike from the right failed to trouble Angus Gunn in the Norwich goal.

Despite the Canaries having most of the early possession, the Blues began to threaten on the break.

On five McGoldrick fed Garner on the right, the former Rangers man crossed too deep and Norwich skipper Ivo Pinto seemed set to clear. However, the Portuguese defender tried to turn inside Knudsen, running into the Dane as he did so.

Knudsen, a scorer for Town in the last two East Anglian derbies, picked up the loose ball and took it into the left of the area before hitting a shot across Gunn which beat the keeper but slammed off the post and away.

Town continued to look a danger on the break and on 11 the Blues had another opportunity, a loose ball falling to Waghorn on the right of the box after a corner but his shot curved well wide and eventually went out for a throw.

Norwich threatened for the first time two minutes later, Stiepermann finding a lot of space on the left but shooting well wide.

Yanic Wildschut saw a subsequent effort diverted behind by Chambers then at the other end McGoldrick shot not too far over from 25 yards.

The Blues caught the Canaries on the break again in the 16th minute but McGoldricks’s threaded pass was too far in front of Knudsen.

Then, after James Maddison had shot wide for Norwich, Waghorn teed-up Nydam at the edge of the box but the 17-year-old was crowded out.

Wildschut was next to take a pop on the 18-yard line but Bartosz Bialkowski saved with little fanfare, as he did on 23 when Stiepermann hit a subsequent effort from a similar distance after a Norwich break.

Other than Knudsen’s strike off the post both sides had been limited to shots from the edge of the area and beyond, and on 25 Maddison tried his luck but curled wide.

Garner flicked a header wide from a left-sided corner in the 28th minute, then two minutes later Waghorn flicked a bouncing ball towards goal but too close to Gunn. Nydam behind him might have been able to be more controlled with his finish had the ball reached him.

Spence picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Tom Tryball in the 32nd minute.

Nydam made a superb challenge as Wildschut broke into the area a minute later, then Cameron Jerome got his first sight at goal from a cross from the left but headed well over.

Stiepermann did well to turn a dangerous Town ball from the left behind at the far post ahead of Garner, before McGoldrick volleyed a Waghorn ball in from the left back in the direction from which it came from. Moments later, Adeyemi headed a Knudsen cross from the left well wide.

Town should have taken the lead in the 40th minute after they had been awarded a rather fortuitous freekick, Nydam having slipped as he ran in behind Pinto on the left.

Waghorn whipped over the freekick and McGoldrick headed over from six yards, his marker having lost his footing as the ball came across.

Moments before the half-time whistle, Waghorn had the ball in the Norwich net but the flag having been raised for offside well beforehand.

Town would have deserved the lead had they gone in a goal in front, Knudsen’s shot off the post and McGoldrick’s header over having the best chances of the first 45 minutes, and they had looked the more threatening of the two sides.

Norwich had been largely restricted to shots from distance, while the Blues had defended well when the Canaries had managed to break into the box.

Garner scuffed a half-volley wide after Spence had nodded down a Webster cross-field ball as the second half started much as the first had ended. On 50 Maddison made himself look somewhat foolish with a very obvious dive as Knudsen saw the ball out of play.

Garner headed a dangerous Norwich freekick from the left clear on 53, with Skuse seeing the ball behind after Hoolahan had fed in Maddison on the left of the box.

Town weren’t too far away from taking the lead in the 54th minute when Spence was sent away in space on the right and sent over a cross to the near post for McGoldrick, whose flicked header flew just beyond the far post.

After Skuse had undergone treatment on the pitch, Jerome hit a low shot through to Bialkowski on 58 and a minute later the Canaries took the lead.

Wildschut brought the ball forward and fed Stiepermann on the left, and the full-back cut back to the unmarked Maddison, whose shot beat Bialkowski to his left.

On 6 6Norwich, who had been on top having gone ahead, were forced to replace Christoph Zimmerman with Grant Hanley, then a minute later Flynn Downes took over from Adeyemi for Town.

Chambers was yellow-carded for a foul on Maddison in the centre circle in the 71st minute, then a minute later Downes joined him in the book, although he appeared to win the ball as he challenged Trybull.

Town had looked short of ideas having gone behind and on 76 manager Mick McCarthy swapped Garner and Nydam for Freddie Sears and Bersant Celina. A minute later Norwich switched Hoolahan for James Husband.

The Blues began to make some headway as the game entered its final minutes, a grounded Waghorn turning a shot through to Gunn, then from a Knudsen long throw on the left Skuse scuffed a shot from the edge of the box which Gunn claimed.

On 86 Skuse hit another effort from even further out which deflected through to Gunn, then Celina saw a strike blocked with McGoldrick unable to find the space to hit another effort.

Seconds after the fourth official indicated four additional minutes of time, the Blues went close to an equaliser. Waghorn battled for the ball on the edge of the box before chipping over Gunn but an inch or so past the post.

In the dying seconds Knudsen headed a Waghorn corner from the left wide before referee Tim Robinson confirmed Town’s defeat.

The Blues, who derby winless run stretches back eight and a half years, will be left rueing their failure to make their first-half superiority tell, Knudsen’s shot off the post and McGoldrick’s header over the best opportunities.

The Canaries had rarely threatened until Maddison’s goal but from there they saw out the rest of the game largely in comfort with Town not looking like getting back into the game until the closing stages.

A derby defeat, particularly one at home, is always painful, however this was a game the Blues will feel they should never have lost and indeed ought to have won.

Town, who have lost six of their last eight in the league, drop to 11th in the table following the weekend results with Burton Albion their next opponents at the Pirelli Stadium next Saturday.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Webster, Knudsen, Nydam (Celina 76), Adeyemi (Downes 67), Skuse, Waghorn, Garner (Sears 76), McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Iorfa, Celina, Connolly, Ward, Sears, Downes.

Norwich: Gunn, Pinto (c), Zimmermann (Hanley 66), Klose, Stiepermann, Reed, Trybull, Hoolahan (Husband 77), Maddison (Vrancic 89), Wildschut, Jerome. Unused: McGovern, Husband, Vrancic, Oliveira, Murphy, Franke. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). Att: 24,928 (Norwich: 2,009).

Photo: TWTD

Bert added 15:50 - Oct 22 Same old prejudiced comments from the same few who cannot wait to get on here. At the end of the day we had the better chances and it boiled down to them having space to slot a goal in. Not a great admirer of MM's methods but would rather listen to him than some of the old boring hacks on here. Must all be tabloid readers.
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bluerico added 15:54 - Oct 22 I gave up my ST 18 months ago but went to the game today. Norwich were there for the taking but we wasted too many chances in the first half. Could see the problem down the left side but nothing done about it. Too many players played out of position as usual. Predicted what would happen in the second half, and it did! I will not be going to another game while MM is manager. me

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StochesStotasBlewe added 16:00 - Oct 22 Went for the first time this season, having given up my season ticket. Not much has changed to be honest. Started o k but gradually faded as the game wore on.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 16:08 - Oct 22 Meant to add that Norwich looked pretty average, but identified our weakness on our right defense & exploited this to their advantage all game. Our response was to change nothing. Poor management basically. The sad thing is that the defeat does not hurt. Can,t remember feeling that apathetic about losing to them before. Sad times. Mick out.
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Elizabeth added 16:11 - Oct 22 Not a good performance! Players out of position and no real conviction! Disappointing day all round !
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norfolkbluey added 16:14 - Oct 22 I thought this afternoon's game was a real opportunity for a win after such a long run against our old foes. But oh no! Same old tactics against a side who have been on a non losing side over the past weeks. Come on Mick just go. We are beginning to drop down the league again because your tactics are so predictable.Other managers know how to play you after a few games into the new season. A good start to the new season but now they know how to play you so welcome welcome Ipswich we love to play you. Prediction indicates another year of utter disappointment. Norwich above us and us stuck in mid table like we are likely to be until we get a new manager. Sorry fellow fans but I am so so p****d off on this damp and miserable day.

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airliner added 16:22 - Oct 22 Yes we need to change manager fast as he just wants a pay out please payout and get rid
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johnno added 16:25 - Oct 22 Well I'm a blue supporter through and through for 50 years but McCarthy really is so inept in all departments , the scum were so more up for it won most 50 50 balls in midfield our defenders when we won the ball gave it away no cover on their wide players , how did we see all this and would of rectified it quickly but our idiots on the touch line stand there and do nothing .this was a game we could and should of won . How much longer do we have to put up with this imbacile, I just feel sorry for all those young fans now who have never enjoyed that feeling of beating the scum lets be honest with him we are going nowhere the scum and Huddersfield have proof of good unknown managers out there to be had . There that's my rant done

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Swn98 added 16:47 - Oct 22 Take your chances defend your goal and you win games that was the only difference between the teams. I thought Gunns celebration at the end of game was uncalled for still suppose couldn't expect anything different. Let's try again at Burton next week.
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warktheline added 16:52 - Oct 22 @swn, maybe you could pass your ‘worldly wisdom' onto your good buddy!!!!
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bugledog123 added 17:01 - Oct 22 very disappointed - mainly with our second half performance .
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johnno added 17:08 - Oct 22 Mr Evans could you do the right thing for the first time since you bought the club and tell us the supporters the True heart of this once proud club why you persist in a second rate manager and what you hope to ever achieve in running our club in its present setup
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:10 - Oct 22 Guff.
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Tractorboy1985 added 17:11 - Oct 22 Please can we all understand and agree.. yes the football on offer is p1$$ poor but the BUCK stops with the OWNER!!!!! We need to make a stand and force this man to show his face!!! Marcus Evans.. call yourself an Ipswich fan?? If I won 10 million on the lottery I would give this club half at least!! I put 5 million in a season blah blah blah to keep this club a afloat.. it's 1% of his wealth! You are a disgrace.. sell up and hand over to someone who actually CARES!!! FOME

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shakytown added 17:12 - Oct 22 Same old problems like woeful defending and a complete lack of pace. Manager is out of touch with football and will not change as he just can't. Sadly we have an owner who just does not care anymore so it could be decades before we win against better organized and bigger clubs like Norwich have become. Sad really.
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StowTractorBoy added 17:15 - Oct 22 Unfortunately my worst fears were realised today in that we are just not well enough equipped to mount a promotion challenge. We do not have a decent right back on the books as Iorfa and Spence are no better than the Chambers option and he is certainly not the answer. McGoldrick was woeful today and probably due to him being played out of position. No way should he be a wide player with the threat he has in front of goal. MM certainly got that selection all wrong however McGoldrick should have scored with his headed chance from just 6/7 yards in the first half and it could have been all so different. Thought we did ok in the first half but if you don't take your chances you cannot expect to win. Norwich took theirs and after they scored we never looked like clawing it back. Unfortunately the Farke factor is now working for Norwich and they could well do a Huddersfield as they look well equipped to do so. That does not help our predicament though which is now becoming worrying. After Sheffield Utd last week and now Norwich we have lost the threat in front of goal and the Norwich keeper must have had his most comfortable match of the season as did the Sheffield United keeper last week. I can understand the dislike for McCarthy and I really think this will be his last season but we have to hope we can pick up our early results otherwise it will be another painful season which I fear may happen. Lose at Burton on Saturday and we could, then the alarm bells will be ringing. All so very disappointing today and a great chance to get the fans onside has been blown away. I shall always be there through thick and thin but it does not look very encouraging at the moment.

2

dirtydingusmagee added 17:19 - Oct 22 I really think things will get worse before they get better, nothing changes , and until McCarthy goes nothing will. He no doubt will be chilling out now, smug as ever, and probably thinking a win against Burton [they are a good team with some good players] will shut the fans up. Well that outcome is far from certain.And any other outcome should be Goodbye, jump or pushed .

10

runaround added 17:22 - Oct 22 Same old story against them! Every season it's the same & they have become our bogey team! Cannot fault the effort or application of the players but that little bit of quality is lacking. Norwich had a game plan to try and nick a goal then pack the defence to not allow us to get back in the game & once again we allowed them to do this. If McGoldrick takes one of his headed chances at nil nil then it could have been different but once they scored it was obvious it would stay 0-1 & to be fair they managed the rest of the game very well. It was horrible seeing their fans & players celebrating at the end but it will make it all the sweeter once we finally beat them again, one day! Good atmosphere first half & nice to see the ground rocking but cannot see that happening again for a while & it feels to me as though the McCarthy era at Portman Road is coming to an end by May at the latest

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algarvefan added 17:55 - Oct 22 It always hurts to lose a derby game especially at home. Nice to see the haters out in force, who were very quiet earlier in the season. There is no choice but onward and upwards, we are not far off being a good side, Mick will go nowhere until the end of the season, get behind the team and I am confident we will turn it around to a top six finish.
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Rensham added 17:55 - Oct 22 seems most fans on here are relieved the early positive and productive start to the season is over and they can get back to having a go at MM. however sacking him won't change the owner, the players or the fans. better to work together and get something out of this season. beat Burton and we're back to top six. injured players coming back. this squad is as capable as this NCFC squad except their fans are behind their team. you don't have to support MM to support the Blues COYB

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happybeingblue added 18:20 - Oct 22 dids was poor today, an even game nothing in it we had more possession which makes a change v them, but they had that bit of class in the cocky budgie who scored, although im gutted we lost at least we had a goal threat and there are signs of improvement and we have youngsters coming on nicely, i also think adeyemi did not offer a great deal today he looked well off the pace and was struggling to track back for the goal, he was all alone no one from midfield had raced back to cover, i thought maybe downes should have come on earlier for him

0

happybeingblue added 18:25 - Oct 22 also we should bring kieffer moore back after xmas as he is our player and deserves an opportunity 11 goals at league 1 level is impressive
4

pennblue added 18:27 - Oct 22 We didn't want it as much. Out fought, out played. Did not deserve to win at all.
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warktheline added 19:17 - Oct 22 Unreal some on this forum.....sacking ‘this bad smell' WILL change the PLAYERS performances and WILL change the atmosphere and FANS approach towards their club. The fans are suffering a death by a thousand cuts! AND Jeez it's bloody painful!
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warktheline added 19:22 - Oct 22 @rensham, do the vast majority a favour and change your picture!
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