A goal from Jonas Knudsen canceled out Cameron Jerome’s opener, leaving fierce rivals Ipswich Town and Norwich City to share the spoils in Sunday’s East Anglian Derby.
In a lively contest, both sides had chances but were made to settle for a 1-1 draw with goals from Jerome and Knudsen before the interval.
In hindsight, Ipswich fans will feel aggrieved after the assistant referee incorrectly denied them what would have been the first goal after just two minutes.
Norwich’s lucky break
Ipswich could easily have found themselves in front after just two minutes, and in truth, they probably should have. Following a set piece, midfielder Jonathan Douglas was able to break in behind the Norwich defence and bundle the ball home.
Unluckily for the Tractor Boys, the linesman’s flag saw the close-range effort ruled out, a goal that would have rewarded Ipswich’s spritely start. Replays showed the decision was in fact the wrong one, with Douglas remaining well in front of the last man when the ball was played.
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In a derby as fierce as this, early goals can make or break a contest in its infancy. Those wearing blue will be left to wonder whether one point could have been three and bragging rights should the goal have stood.
Hosts unable to consolidate well timed breakthrough
Even considering Ipswich’s non-goal, they fought on and eventually restored parity, and what a time to do it. Knudsen’s superb effort from the edge of the area came about on the stroke of half time, cancelling out Jerome’s opener.
That forced either manager to head into the sheds thinking differently, with Mick McCarthy by far the happier. It showed early days in the second half as Ipswich resumed where they left off, clearly buoyed by the late strike and well on top.
However, the Tractor Boys struggled to truly test Norwich gloveman Michael McGovern bar an 88th-minute goalmouth scramble, which he blocked. In fact, it was the visitors who had the better of the chances after the interval, both coming via half time introduction Steven Whittaker. The Scotsman saw a header cleared off the line as well as a strike thunder off the base of the post.
Ipswich’s wait for derby glory continues
A draw means the suffolk club still have not tasted derby success since 2009. So long has the wait been that City veteran Wes Hoolahan has never been a loser in the fixture in his eight years wearing yellow and green.
Ipswich fans can take some joy in denying Norwich a share of top spot, which they would have claimed with a win.
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