- Norwich are unbeaten against Ipswich since 2009 and claimed victory again
- Marcelino Nunez’s first-half goal was enough to give the Canaries three points
- They have a seven-point buffer over Coventry but Ipswich’s title hopes took a hit
Norwich continued to hold a hoodoo over their fiercest rivals Ipswich Town with a Marcelino Nunez goal defeating the Championship league leaders.
The Norfolk side have yet to lose to their Suffolk foes since 2009, and did their own playoff ambitions no harm with an impressive display.
The game saw a frantic opening that might have been expected from a local derby, albeit not one that created too much in the way of early chances.
A move involving Josh Sargent feeding Jack Stacey, who fired across the face of the Ipswich goal was as good as it got in terms of goalmouth action.
Gabriel Sara, who netted against Leicester earlier in the week, put a free kick on 27 minutes wide of the woodwork.
Marcelino Nunez scored the only goal of the game as Norwich claimed bragging rights over Ipswich once again
Norwich are now seven points clear of Coventry City, though Mark Robins’ men have two games in hand
Ipswich were top of the table and had won three in a row coming into this but hand Leeds and Leicester the chance to overtake them
Axel Tuanzebe looked to be sent off after half an hour, when he tackled Sargent as the last man, but referee Matthew Donohue awarded a yellow to the dismay of the majority of Carrow Road.
The hosts were more likely to take the lead, and they did exactly that with seven minutes of the half remaining – the only goal of the game.
After Sargent earned another free kick, Marcelino Nunez delivered a dipping free kick that Vaclav Hladky just managed to tip onto the post – and into the net.
It was no more than the home side deserved.
The goal seemed to wake a previously lethargic Ipswich up, who started to play with more tempo and energy towards the end of the half.
However, they still failed to ignite against a Canaries side that remained dangerous – which was almost shown on 57 minutes when Borja Sainz snatched at a loose ball when Hladky was standing off his line.
Sargent was upended by Sam Morsy on the hour mark, just on the edge of the area, but despite protests on and off the field no foul was given.
Ipswich started to put on a rare bit of pressure, although Omari Hutchinson was guilty of a weak shot on 67 minutes after good build-up play.
Forward Sargent remained a menace though, forcing Hladky to parry effort with twenty minutes left.
The visitors became increasingly urgent in their need for an equaliser, but the reaction on the full time whistle from the home support told its own passionate story.
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