James Maddison scores the winner as Norwich claim local bragging rights

Posted Sunday, October 22, 2017 by PA

James Maddison netted the winner as Norwich beat arch-rivals Ipswich 1-0 in the East Anglian derby at Portman Road.

Maddison's fine curled effort in the 59th minute ensured bragging rights for the Canaries, who remain unbeaten in derby matches since 2009.

The hosts were left to rue missed chances in the first half, after Jonas Knudsen hit the woodwork in the opening five minutes and David McGoldrick headed over from close range.

But it was an assured performance from the visitors in manager Daniel Farke's first East Anglian derby and the win moved Norwich into the Sky Bet Championship play-off places.

In a bright opening for the home side, a searching ball from Martyn Waghorn found Joe Garner on the right but his effort was saved at the near post by Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

Ipswich left-back Knudsen - who has scored in the last two East Anglian derbies - then robbed Canaries captain Ivo Pinto and fired a fierce diagonal shot against the far post.

Waghorn blazed over for the hosts when the ball fell to him following a corner, before Marco Stiepermann cut inside for Norwich but could only fire straight at Bartosz Bialkowski.

McGoldrick then fired over from long range as Town continued to play with intensity.

Maddison - who was looking increasingly more dangerous - curled wide after cutting in from the left in the 24th minute.

Garner then got above Tom Trybull from Waghorn's deep corner but could only head wide of the mark.

The Canaries were exposing Ipswich down the left-hand side and Cameron Jerome headed over after a good delivery from Yanic Wildschut.

Ipswich right-back Jordan Spence was booked in the 31st minute after he took a heavy touch and lunged into Trybull.

McGoldrick miscued a volley before he was guilty of missing Ipswich's best chance just before half-time, heading Waghorn's free-kick over from six yards.

Norwich enjoyed the better start to the second half and continued to probe down Ipswich's right.

McGoldrick got across Christoph Zimmermann after 54 minutes but could not direct his header from Spence's cross on target.

Norwich took the lead in the 59th minute when Stiepermann found Maddison, who had the time and space to curl a beautiful effort past Bialkowski.

Ipswich made a double substitution 13 minutes from time in an attempt to find a way back into the game, Bersant Celina and Freddie Sears replacing Garner and Tristan Nydam respectively.

But it was not to be for Ipswich, despite Waghorn's chipped effort nearly grabbing a dramatic late equaliser with Gunn left stranded.