Ipswich 2-2 Norwich: First Old Farm derby in four years ends in thrilling draw as the promotion-chasing Tractor Boys’ wait for a win against the Canaries rolls on
The long-awaited Old Farm derby between Ipswich and Norwich has come and gone, with the two teams playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw. For Ipswich fans, the wait to see their team win this fixture has been a long one – since 2009, to be exact. Norwich, on the other hand, has been unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Ipswich, a streak that continues to this day. The Tractor Boys, led by manager Kieran McKenna, have been on a remarkable journey, rising from the depths of League One to second place in the Championship, just a stone’s throw away from the Premier League. McKenna, who was just ending his playing career at Tottenham when Ipswich last won this fixture, has been the architect of this transformation.
As the teams took to the pitch, the atmosphere was electric. Thousands of Ipswich fans, choreographed by the Blue Action supporters’ group, lined the streets outside the stadium, lighting flares and chanting in anticipation of the big match. Even celebrity fan Ed Sheeran, who was in attendance, couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement. The Ipswich players, too, were hyped, with the weight of expectation on their shoulders. McKenna, however, played it cool, saying that his team had been clinical all season and that maybe, just maybe, they were a tiny bit more tense in this particular situation. The match itself was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Ipswich’s Nathan Broadhead opened the scoring with a pinpoint finish, but Norwich’s Jonathan Rowe struck twice, either side of the interval, to put his team ahead.
The Ipswich fans, however, were not about to let their team go down without a fight. They rallied behind their team, urging them on as they pushed for an equalizer. And equalize they did, thanks to a low drive from Wes Burns into the bottom left corner. The Ipswich fans erupted in joy, celebrating a goal against their arch-rivals that had been a long time coming. For Norwich, the draw was a testament to their fighting spirit and togetherness, according to manager David Wagner. The point earned was a deserved one, he said, and his team could hold their heads high after a hard-fought match. As for Ipswich, the draw was a case of two points dropped, but McKenna’s team remains in second place in the Championship, their Premier League dreams still very much alive.
The match was not without its controversy, however. Tempers frayed when Delia Smith, Norwich’s co-owner, arrived at the stadium in a grey BMW, which was targeted by Ipswich fans. A can of Carlsberg landed on the bonnet, prompting the police escort to pick up speed. Smith, however, took the incident in stride, laughing it off in the corridors of Portman Road after the match. The incident was a minor blip on an otherwise thrilling matchday, one that will be remembered for a long time to come. As the teams left the pitch, the Ipswich fans were left to ponder what might have been, their wait to see their team win the Old Farm derby continuing.
Despite the draw, Ipswich remains in a strong position in the Championship, with their sights firmly set on the Premier League. McKenna’s team has been on a remarkable run, and their performance against Norwich was a testament to their strength and resilience. The Tractor Boys will be looking to bounce back from this draw, to keep pushing for that elusive promotion spot. And as for Norwich, they will be looking to build on this result, to keep their own promotion hopes alive. The Old Farm derby may not have produced a winner, but it has set the stage for a thrilling second half of the season.
As the dust settles on this thrilling match, one thing is clear: the Old Farm derby is back, and it’s here to stay. The passion, the excitement, and the drama of this fixture are unmatched, and fans of both teams will be counting down the days until the return match at Carrow Road in April. For Ipswich, the wait to see their team win this fixture continues, but they remain hopeful that their team will finally emerge victorious. For Norwich, the unbeaten streak against their rivals remains intact, but they know that Ipswich will be coming for them in the return match. One thing is for sure: the Old Farm derby is a fixture that will continue to thrill and entertain, a testament to the passion and pride of the fans of both Ipswich and Norwich.
