Ipswich suffered a serious blow to their hopes of automatic promotion from the Championship when they slid to a 1-0 defeat at local rivals Norwich.
A tense game of few clear-cut chances was settled by 39th free-kick from Marcelino Nunez, who fired home low and hard from over 30 yards.
The win left a below-par Ipswich side hoping for slip-ups from rivals Leicester and Leeds later in the day, while for Norwich it further cemented their place in the top six.
It also maintained their overwhelming supremacy in this fixture in recent times, with Ipswich having failed to clinch an East Anglian derby win since a 3-2 victory at Portman Road way back in 2009.
After a predictably tight start the home side began to take the initiative, winning a series of free-kicks deep in Ipswich territory.
And they made the fourth of them count, with Nunez edging his side in front six minutes before the break after Sam Morsy had shoved Josh Sargent to the ground some 30 yards out in a central position.
A goal looked a long shot, quite literally, but the Chilean comfortably beat Town’s two-man wall with a low curler which eluded Vaclav Hladky’s desperate dive to the left and went in off the post.
Ten minutes earlier Sargent had been brought down by Axel Tuanzebe in a seemingly more dangerous position, after being put in by a delightful Ashley Barnes through ball, but on this occasion Gabriel Sara’s free-kick came to nothing.
Overall the Canaries had the better of a tight opening period, with Ipswich looking nothing like a side challenging for automatc promotion. Their only effort on or off target was Massimo Luongo’s header from a corner which sailed harmlessly over.
Sam McCallum’s long ball from the back almost caught the visitors out in the early stages of the second half, with Borja Sainz’s lob only narrowly off target.
Sargent then went down on the edge of the box under a last-ditch challenge from Morsy, only for referee Matthew Donohue to infuriate the home fans by waving play on.
As the game entered its final quarter Sargent burst through again and cut the ball back for Sainz, only for the Spaniard to guide a first time effort high and wide.
Ipswich were struggling to make any impact in the final third, although Conor Chaplin finally produced an effort worthy of the name on 70 minutes, firing just over after being picked out by Leif Davis’ cross.
Substitute Ali Al-Hamadi was then thwarted by Angus Gunn’s quick reaction as he chased a long ball but Norwich defended well to see out a well deserved derby win.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. It's the Year of the Bird Shortcut this way bro Conte's demands to stay at Napoli:• Spend at least €200M• Sign 8–9 players• Raise salaries from €80M to €110M• Guarantees on a new training facility Silverware incoming for Real Betis Tag a Manchester United Fan & Say Nothing.. Sad but true.. Please stay t...
The end of an era has arrived. Luka Modric, one of the best footballers in the history of Real Madrid and world football, will say goodbye to the Santiago Bernabeu after the match against Real Sociedad.The Croatian midfielder will not have his contract renewed by the club, bringing to an end an unforgettable career that began in 2012 and will forever be etched in the memory of Madrid fans. The Clu...
Ruben Amorim is not at risk of being sacked by Manchester United despite the Europa League final loss to Tottenham on Wednesday.Amorim's appointment at United has always, and continues, to be seen as a longer-term project and the club's commitment to the Portuguese head coach is not contingent on one game.Sources say he continues to have the full support of the club.Speaking immediately after the ...
Al Hilal are interested in signing Bruno Fernandes, but plans to sign him are not advanced at present.However, that could change because Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal are playing in the Club World Cup next month and can sign players during a special early transfer window between June 1 and June 10.Fernandes is a key player at United. Head coach Ruben Amorim has called his captain one of the best ...
Man City star McAtee in demand as Wolves eye £25m swoopWolves are reportedly eyeing a £25m swoop for Manchester City's James McAtee but face intense competition from Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.Leeds eye Raul to replace Farke!Real Madrid legend Raul has reportedly been approached by Premier League-bound Leeds despite Daniel Farke leading the club to promotion.Trossard to stay ...
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and striker Rasmus Højlund: two people with uncertain futures next season. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)BILBAO, Spain -- Tottenham Hotspur have won their first trophy since 2008 after beating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final on a tight and tense night in Bilbao.The game was decided by a scruffy goal from Brenn...
Will Manchester United sign Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta this summer? (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Manchester United are in the running to sign Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Al Hilal are in talks with Victor Osimhen. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.TRENDING RUMORS- Manchester United are in the runn...
The 2025 MLS season is now firmly underway, which means it's time for ESPN's Power Rankings.Who's climbing the table? Who's in free fall? Our writers studied the action from across Matchday 14 to come up with this week's order of all 30 teams in the league. Let's dive in.1. Vancouver WhitecapsPrevious ranking: 1The Caps made the trip to Texas and came back with a point after a 0-0 draw with Austin...
Man United transfer kitty revealed after Europa League heartbreakMan United manager Ruben Amorim will reportedly have a transfer war chest of 3100 million as he seeks to build the squad in his image this summer.Amorim has undoubtedly struggled since taking over from Erik ten Hag last November as Man United are set to complete their worst season in recent memory.A dismal domestic season was capped ...
Tottenham stars 'don't expect' Ange Postecoglou to stay despite Europa League gloryTottenham players are still expecting manager Ange Postecoglou to be sacked despite their 1-0 Europa League final win over Man United on Wednesday.Postecoglou, 59, ended Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought with a memorable win over fellow Premier League strugglers Man United.Despite impressing on the continent, his s...
- 1 We will see – no Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emiliano Martinez
- 2 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 3 Man City withdraw and Liverpool could steal
- 4 Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
- 5 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 6 Liverpool cleared to complete signing
- 7 Marc Guehi to land transfer to Real or Barca
- 8 Real Madrid agree deal for Dean Huijsen
- 9 Dele Alli’s girlfriend Cindy sets pulses racing in barely
- 10 3 EPL giants have advantage in Osimhen race