East Anglia | Ipswich Town complete league double over rivals

Norwich City 0 - 2 Ipswich Town

Ipswich completed a league double over their fiercest rivals for the first time since 1993.

Author | Jay Dean

Stadium | Carrow Road

They have also climbed back into the automatic promotion places and, in the process, appear to have extinguished any lingering hopes Norwich had of forcing their way into the play-offs.

Jaden Philogene calmly put the visitors ahead after 11 minutes, converting from the spot after Jack Taylor had won a penalty by nicking the ball away from Anis Slimane. George Hirst added a second deep into first-half stoppage time.

A closer look at what happened 

Kieran McKenna made four changes to the side that edged past Birmingham City on Easter Monday. Christian Walton started in goal behind a back line of Darnell Furlong, Dara O'Shea, Jacob Greaves and the returning Leif Davis at left-back.

Azor Matusiwa was passed fit to start in midfield alongside Jack Taylor, who came in for Dan Neil. Further forward, Ben Johnson operated from the right, with Anis Mehmeti central and Jaden Philogene on the left, replacing Marcelino Núñez and Jack Clarke.

After winning the toss, Ipswich Town chose to switch ends, forcing Norwich City to attack the Barclay Stand in the first half rather than after the interval. The hosts began the brighter, and Walton almost gifted an early chance when he spilled a cross under pressure.

Ipswich struck in unusual fashion after 10 minutes. Greaves nodded the ball on in the area and Anis Ben Slimane attempted to clear, catching Taylor high. Although Norwich briefly broke away, referee Anthony Backhouse eventually pointed to the spot. George Hirst initially shaped to take it but handed responsibility to Philogene, who converted calmly beyond Vladan Kovačević in the 11th minute.

The visitors threatened again soon after. Davis delivered a free-kick onto Hirst’s head, drawing a sharp save from Kovačević. Thereafter, clear chances were scarce. Norwich carried a degree of menace in the final third, while Ipswich went close when O’Shea’s pass released Mehmeti, only for the move to break down before a shot could be taken.

There were nervy moments when Ipswich attempted to play out from the back. A misplaced pass from Taylor allowed Norwich to regain possession high up the pitch, but he recovered well with a crucial challenge on Pelle Mattsson.

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Norwich increased the pressure, aided by loose passing, and came closest when Kellen Fisher delivered from the left, forcing Greaves into a defensive header that nearly looped into his own net. The resulting corner was cleared.

Hirst remained a focal point and nearly doubled the lead just before the break. After dispossessing Ali Ahmed, he fed Philogene, who returned the ball for a powerful effort that Kovačević pushed away.

The breakthrough arrived in stoppage time. Furlong’s long throw was flicked on by Greaves, and Hirst reacted quickest, driving a volley through the legs of José Córdoba to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.

Despite nearly descending into chaos, Ipswich saw out the second-half and claimed a potentially valuable three points.