Canaries win pitch battle to boost Prem bid
Hernandez Pukki
TWO-GOAL Teemu Pukki ensured Norwich’s long reign as kings of East Anglia continues.
“We can enjoy the result, but not too much because this is the first of three games in six days. Ipswich tried to take our attention and concentration away, so we had to be disciplined. They tried everything to get under our skin, but we were too good for them.”
There was to be no happy return to Carrow Road for Ipswich boss Paul Lambert. He managed the Canaries between 2009 and 2012, taking them from the bottom of League One to 12th in the Premier League.
Lambert, who had promised his Tractor Boys would be fired up for the occasion, said: “There’s no point in coming here and being a team of shrinking violets.
“We had to show fight and endeavour, and we’ll have to play like that from now on.”
There were numerous flashpoints during the fractious game. And Lambert, red-carded before half-time after a bust-up between the respective benches, was an easy target for City’s biggest crowd of the season.
He added: “This club was in League One when I was here… short memories, short memories.
“We lost the game at the top of the pitch. They got the breaks at the right time.” Lambert (in the stands after his dismissal, above) couldn’t resist a swipe at the club where he made his reputation as they close in on a Premier League return.
He said: “They have a bit of momentum. Are they good enough to do it? I don’t know.
“Time will tell. I’m sure Leeds, West Brom, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United will all have something to say about that.”
Norwich made a dream start as the visitors struggled to halt right-back Max Aarons’ run and cross from the right.
Hernandez had one effort blocked before Mario Vrancic teed him up to sweep home his seventh goal of the season.
For the second, Emiliano Buendia picked out Pukki’s run and the Finn slid the ball in at the far post.
Ten minutes before the end, he made it 21 for the season. Buendia set him up with a clever pass and Pukki reached the ball before Bartosz Bialkowski to toe it past him. NORWICH: IPSWICH: