Classy Norwich Stun Rivals

A wonderstrike from Lee Croft and a two-yard tap in for Matty Pattison gave Norwich City a 2-0 win in Sunday’s East Anglian derby against Ipswich Town. The Carrow Road faithful were rewarded for their patience with a terrific performance by the Canaries.

The pressure was on Norwich and their boss Glenn Roeder as the side were hovering very close to the relegation zone.  Before the kick off some fans were calling the biggest game of Roeder’s reign and certianly the season but this only seemed to spur the side on as they won comfortably.

Norwich City dominated the match and fully deserved to go ahead midway through the second half when Lee Croft’s run and shot from the edge of the area curled majestically into the top corner of the net. One of the strikes of the season and probably the best goal of Croft’s career both in terms of importance and class. Roeder looked like a giddy school girl as he celebrated his relief was plain to see.

Norwich Fans were probably expecting City to defend their lead as they often tend to do but they kept pushing forward and a testing snap-shot from Leroy Lita was well saved by Richard Wright. Ipswich could not hold the Canaries out for long though as after a freekick was crossed into the box it fell perfectly for Matty Pattison who rifled the ball home from around two yards. The shot hit the underside of the bar and almost missed but nobody in the ground cared as Norwich had all but killed off the game and won when they needed to. There was controversy because Ipswich defender Gareth McAuley was off the field at the time of the goal.  Lita had highlighted to the referree that McAuley’s head was bleeding and as is the law in these circumstances he had to leave the field, much to the disgruntelment of the Ipswich player.

Ipswich looked out of sorts all afternoon and never really got anything going. Any chances they did have were thwarted by another brilliant goalkeeping performance by City’s keeper David Marshall. Marshall almost ruined his day however when he brought down Danny Haynes in the area but the penalty was not given a decision that summed up Town’s day.

This win was certainly vital for a Norwich side that has struggled in the league this season. If they continue to play in this form they should move up to the top half of the Championship. The problem is that consistancy has been sadly lacking this season and the mid-week game at Watford will be a real test of just how good this side is and whether or not Norwich just upped their performance for a derby match.

As for Ipswich they still have play-off aspirations but that looks a distant dream after a drab performance. They will need to bounce back quickly.