Ipswich thumped 5-1 by arch rivals Norwich (From Gazette)

Ipswich thumped 5-1 by arch rivals Norwich

9:57pm Thursday 21st April 2011 in Ipswich Town By Matt Plummer

Ipswich Town crashed to a miserable 5-1 defeat in Thursday’s East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Portman Road.

Two goals in the first half-hour put the writing on the wall before a late third rubbed salt into their wounds.

Jimmy Bullard pulled one back with a precise finish from long range but Norwich’s fourth and fifth goals completed a depressing, forgettable night for the Blues.

Town made an awful start, going behind inside 13 minutes.

Former Colchester United man Marc Tierney fed Andrew Surman, who in turn pushed the ball into the path of Wes Hoolahan.

The midfielder delivered a low cross from the left that goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett could only spill into Surman’s path.

In a flash, the Canaries wide man drove the loose ball into an empty net.

Lee-Barrett was definitely at fault for the goal and, unfortunately for him and his team, the net was rippling again soon after.

This time, David Fox’s inswinging corner was accidentally turned into his own net by Gareth McAuley.

Town huffed and puffed and had spells of possession, without really hurting their high-flying visitors.

And Norwich struck again on 73 minutes when Grant Holt fired in a low cross from the right, after muscling past Damien Delaney.

His delivery was neatly turned into the net by Simeon Jackson, who edged in front of McAuley.

Bullard pulled one back for Ipswich with a cracking finish from 20 yards.

But any hopes of a rousing finale were wrecked ten minutes from time when Hoolahan delivered a perfect low cross from the left and Russell Martin, attacking the far post, steered a low shot under Lee-Barrett.

Substitute Daniel Pacheco added the fifth in stoppage time after Jackson’s effort came down off the Town bar.