Norwich 1-1 Ipswich: Timm Klose rescues point for hosts

Nine years and counting. The Ipswich fans remain starved of that elusive victory over their fierce rivals but how close they came here only to have it snatched away. 

The 2,000 travelling fans thought they had done it when captain Luke Chambers headed past Angus Gunn in the 89th minute only for Timm Klose to deny them with a header just seconds before the end of added time. 

Klose ran over to the Ipswich supporters at full time to let them know what he thought of them. The sort of moments that make you an instant hero or a villain in rivalries such as this. 

There were some who had travelled from Ipswich hoping that Norwich would claim victory to accelerate manager Mick McCarthy’s departure. 

Cole Skuse has his hands on his head after Ipswich are denied all three points at the death

Luke Chambers looked to have won the game for Ipswich with an 89th minute header

The visitors celebrate after the captain’s goal looked to be sending them to victory

‘Mick McCarthy, your football is s**t,’ chanted the away fans. McCarthy responded when Chambers scored. He pumped his fist twice before appearing to shout ‘F*** off’ to anyone who would listen. 

‘It was just celebrating the goal. I was just celebrating the game. I wanted the win,’ McCarthy said afterwards. 

The fans’ anger stemmed from his final substitution. Rather than bring on exciting young midfielder Bersant Celina, on loan from Manchester City, he opted for the more defensive-minded Jordan Spence despite a goalless scoreline with 11 minutes left. 

Tactically it may have made sense but not to those who have not seen their side win at Carrow Road for 12 years.

Before the game, McCarthy had said he was surprised that Norwich were not doing better given the riches they continue to live off following relegation from the Premier League in 2016. 

He backed up that sentiment at full time. ‘I think if I had been given £100million over the last three years, I think I could have been languishing in 13th as well if I am honest,’ he said. 

Moritz Leitner exchanges words with Ipswich’s Cole Skuse as the pair get up close

Ipswich defender Dominic Iorfa attempts to get on the end of a firsthalf set-piece

Ipswich striker Joe Garner attempts to get round opposite number Christoph Zimmermann

That money has gone towards the signings of Klose, Nelson Oliveira and James Maddison. 

Maddison, valued at £30m and linked with a move to Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham last month, was the one to watch here. 

His quick feet and bursts forward made it difficult for Ipswich and Cole Skuse and Callum Connolly were booked by referee David Coote for fouls on the 21-year-old midfielder. 

McCarthy had set up to hit Norwich on the counter-attack with a 3-5-2 formation with wing backs. But although his side retained possession well in the first half, they appeared desperate in their play. 

That desperation resulted in two penalty appeals from Joe Garner and Dominic Iorfa of Ipswich that were rightly turned down. 

Norwich boss Daniel Farke admitted his side were naive in the first half but he was pleased with the response after the break. 

Maddison was at the centre of everything and Ipswich goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski did well to save a free-kick of his that looked destined for the top corner. 

No one expected an Ipswich goal and 0-0 looked the most likely scoreline when, in the 85th minute, fans applauded and chanted the name of Sir Bobby Robson — the man who led Ipswich to FA Cup and UEFA Cup glory as a manager — on what would have been his 85th birthday. 

Dominic Iorfa battles for the ball against Norwich left-back Jamal Lewis in a tight opening

Iorfa goes to ground as two opponents close in but his penalty appeal is waved away

Norwich defender Timm Klose remonstrates with referee David Coote after the incident

Four minutes later there was jubilation in the away end when Waghorn swung in a corner and Chambers got ahead of Alex Tettey to head past Gunn. 

But the Ipswich joy wouldn’t last. Norwich defender Grant Hanley did well to keep the ball in play as Coote looked at his watch. 

‘After the late equaliser you get the feeling of an explosion at Carrow Road,’ said Farke. ‘To have this reaction after going a goal down, it feels like a win.’  

It is not a feeling shared by Ipswich fans, even if McCarthy continues to dismiss the notion that there is a clear divide between supporters and manager.He said: ‘I am not bothered. I do my job as I see fit. I think I do it particularly well actually.’ 

Norwich winger Josh Murphy battles for possession with Ipswich’s Cameron Carter-Vickers

Norwich striker Nelson Oliveira charges upfield in a bid to break the deadlock at Carrow Road

Norwich winger Josh Murphy challenges for the ball with Ipswich’s Luke Chambers