Match ends, Norwich City 2, Ipswich Town 0.
NorwichNorwich City2IpswichIpswich Town0
Goals from Bradley Johnson and Lewis Grabban gave Norwich a league double over local rivals Ipswich and lifted City up to third in the Championship.
Johnson's 10th goal of the season, a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box, set Norwich on the way to a sixth successive league win.
Striker Grabban netted their second from six yards, turning in Cameron Jerome's tame attempt.
The Canaries are three points behind leaders Derby, with Ipswich now sixth.
Norwich have been revitalised since Alex Neil was appointed as manager in January and their astonishing run of victories, their best run since the 2009-10 campaign, continued with a solid performance that earned a fourth straight win over Ipswich.
There was a frenetic start to the 95th East Anglian derby, understandable in a game with local pride and vital league points at stake, but there were few chances until Norwich went in front midway through the first half.
The lively Grabban, who netted the only goal in the reverse fixture at Portman Road in August, found space on the right touchline and pulled the ball back to the edge of the penalty area, where the advancing Johnson thundered the ball into the top corner.
Ipswich, themselves on a decent run of form with three wins out of four prior to their trip to Norfolk, responded well to the concession. And Sears, fresh from two goals in the midweek win over Birmingham, forced home goalkeeper John Ruddy into a brave stop before half-time.
The visitors made a change at the break, Luke Varney replacing Richard Chaplow, but it was a Norwich substitution that brought about the decisive second goal.
And Grabban's effort was as scrappy as Johnson's was sublime.
Jerome, who had replaced Nathan Redmond moments earlier, charged clear of the Ipswich backline to put in a shot from 18 yards and a combination of Grabban and opposing defender Tyrone Mings bundled the ball over the line.
Sears, a January signing from Colchester, was a threat throughout for Ipswich and represented his side's best chance of getting back into the game, but he was unable to breach a Norwich defence that has now kept five clean sheets in their last seven outings.
Jerome's pace caused increasing problems as Ipswich chased the game and the Norwich striker almost netted a third for his side but, when clean through, his effort was blocked by Bialkowski.
Norwich manager Alex Neil: "We are now third, three points off the top, and we have still got to play the two sides above us at home.
"We have given ourselves a chance, but that is all it is - a chance - and we have got to keep working hard and try to make sure we take it.
"The main thing today was picking up the three points, even though I didn't think it was the best of games if I am being honest.
"We got the goals and in the end I thought we deserved the win, as we have deserved to win all six of the games in this run."
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy: "I don't think there was a lot in the game. Norwich didn't dominate us, but they scored the two goals and won the match.
"I know how much this game means to the fans, but we can't dwell on it.
"It's important now that we knuckle down and at least finish in the play-offs. If we do that then it will have been a successful season for us."
Line-ups
Norwich
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Ruddy
- 2Whittaker
- 5Martin
- 30Bassong
- 23OlssonBooked at 76mins
- 27TetteyBooked at 86mins
- 4Johnson
- 22RedmondSubstituted forJeromeat 61'minutesSubstituted forHooperat 90+1'minutes
- 8Howson
- 14HoolahanSubstituted forDorransat 83'minutes
- 7Grabban
Substitutes
- 6Turner
- 10Jerome
- 11Hooper
- 12Andreu
- 18Garrido
- 26Rudd
- 41Dorrans
Ipswich
Formation 4-4-2
- 33Bialkowski
- 4Chambers
- 5Smith
- 6Berra
- 3MingsBooked at 84mins
- 14ChaplowSubstituted forVarneyat 45'minutes
- 17BruSubstituted forParrat 69'minutes
- 8SkuseBooked at 16mins
- 18Tabb
- 20Sears
- 9MurphySubstituted forWoodat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Gerken
- 2Parr
- 11Anderson
- 15Varney
- 28Clarke
- 31Benyu
- 39Wood
- Referee:
- Paul Tierney
- Attendance:
- 27,005
Match Stats
Home TeamNorwichAway TeamIpswich
- Possession
- Home47%
- Away53%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away6
- Corners
- Home5
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Norwich City 2, Ipswich Town 0.
Post update
Luke Varney (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Alexander Tettey (Norwich City).
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Cole Skuse (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Graham Dorrans (Norwich City).
Substitution
Substitution, Norwich City. Gary Hooper replaces Cameron Jerome because of an injury.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Cameron Jerome (Norwich City) because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, Norwich City. Conceded by Luke Chambers.
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Attempt missed. Chris Wood (Ipswich Town) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jonathan Parr with a cross following a set piece situation.
Booking
Alexander Tettey (Norwich City) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Jay Tabb (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jonny Howson (Norwich City).
Post update
Attempt missed. Russell Martin (Norwich City) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Bradley Johnson with a headed pass following a set piece situation.
Booking
Tyrone Mings (Ipswich Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Tyrone Mings (Ipswich Town).
Post update
Jonny Howson (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Norwich City. Graham Dorrans replaces Wes Hoolahan.
Post update
Offside, Ipswich Town. Freddie Sears tries a through ball, but Chris Wood is caught offside.
