Wes Burns’ powerful strike propelled Ipswich to recover from a deficit, securing a draw against Norwich in an exhilarating first East Anglian derby in five years at Portman Road.
Nathan Broadhead’s close-range shot, a result of a corner, rewarded the hosts for their dominant first-half performance.
However, quick reactions from Jonathan Rowe led to an equalizer six minutes later. Rowe then capitalized on a brief period of superiority for the Canaries, putting them ahead shortly after halftime and altering the course of the match.
Despite Ipswich’s overall dominance and a well-deserved equalizer from Burns, who scored with a stunning shot into the bottom corner, the home team couldn’t secure a winning goal. This result would have propelled them to the top, while Norwich extended their unbeaten streak in the fixture to 13 games.
Despite Ipswich’s clear superiority this season, holding the second spot in the Championship, they couldn’t overcome their old rivals.
Their last victory against the Canaries dates back to April 2009. Throughout a spirited first half, the Tractor Boys kept Norwich on the defensive for extended periods but struggled to convert the majority of their scoring opportunities.
Burns, one of the four players reinstated to the lineup after the midweek victory against Watford, proved to be a persistent threat. His opening goal was thwarted by an exceptional block from Shane Duffy. Moments later, Burns set up Broadhead for a prime opportunity, but despite skillful footwork to navigate the box, Broadhead narrowly missed the shot. Shortly afterward, Burns provided another chance for Broadhead, who curled the effort wide.
Despite Ipswich’s sustained pressure, the Championship’s leading scorers displayed an unusual lack of composure in front of goal. They capitalized on a loose pass from Norwich just outside the box, but Burns failed to keep his shot on target, blazing it over the bar.
Broadhead eventually broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark on his third attempt. Following an attempt to clear the initial corner by Norwich, George Hirst headed the ball to Broadhead, who slotted it into the net for his eighth goal of the campaign.
The jubilation at Portman Road was short-lived as Rowe’s equalizer left the stadium in stunned silence. Rowe’s diving header missed Sam McCallum’s initial cross, and he attempted an overhead kick when the ball returned, quickly reacting to prod in the rebound over Gunn.
Suddenly, Rowe provided Norwich with an ideal beginning to the second half, volleying the ball from a long throw. Although it received a slight deflection, it was sufficient to slip under Vaclav Hladky and give the visitors the lead.
Nevertheless, Ipswich remained resilient. While Cameron Burgess’s header missed the target, Burns was resolute in his attempt to equalize. Capitalizing on Ashley Barnes’s errant passing near the area, Ipswich swiftly seized the opportunity. The ball was played out to Burns, who expertly drilled his shot past Gunn into the bottom corner.
Ipswich sustained their pressure and appeared more likely to secure a victory, with Norwich creating minimal opportunities and seeming content with a draw. In the 87th minute, Broadhead nearly clinched all three points, only for Gunn to make a brilliant save and tip his curling shot over the bar.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk:
“I thought it was a good performance overall in plenty of different aspects. I thought we pressed high really, really well and made it difficult for them to build and limited them to very few chances – and they’re a team that score a lot of goals and create a lot of chances.
“We created more than enough to win the game. We didn’t manage to do it, we weren’t as clinical in their box as we usually are and we gave away two goals which were high, hopeful balls into our box that fell their way.
“That’s football, there’s lots to be positive and pleased and proud of on the day – both on and off the pitch – just unfortunate we weren’t able to get the result to send our fans home really happy.
“But when we reflect there’ll be lots of things from today that we can build on.”
Norwich manager David Wagner told BBC Radio Norfolk:
“I think it was a great football match, everything what you need in a derby, a lot of battles, a lot of challenges the lead changed, good goals as well.
“I’m absolutely delighted. I think the players put in a fantastic shift, the effort that they have shown for me deserved a point. They always kept going.
“Ipswich are a good side, you’ve seen their home record. If you can’t win it you have to make sure you can’t lose it and this was how it was today.
“A very exciting afternoon, now the first one is played and later in the year we will play the second one at Carrow Road.”