Skip to content

Norwich manager Alex Neil warns against complacency after Ipswich win

Bradley Johnson celebrates
Image: Bradley Johnson: Celebrates scoring Norwich's opener

Alex Neil warned against complacency after Norwich climbed to third in the Sky Bet Championship with a 2-0 derby win over Ipswich at Carrow Road.

Goals either side of half-time from Bradley Johnson and Lewis Grabban earned the in-form Canaries a sixth straight win and took them to within three points of leaders Derby.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from Carrow Road where the East Anglian derby saw Norwich City host Ipswich Town in the Sky Bet Championship.

"The good thing now is that it is in our own hands," said Neil. "We are now third, three points off the top, and we have still got to play the two sides above us (Derby and Middlesbrough) at home.

"We have given ourselves a chance, but that is all it is, a chance, and we have got to keep working hard and try to make sure we take it.

"Our biggest game of the season now is Wigan at home on Wednesday. There can be no room for complacency. We have just got to make sure we approach the game in the right manner and keep this run going because we have the momentum with us now.

"The main thing today was picking up the three points, even though I didn't think it was the best of games if I am being honest. Ipswich were very direct and are good at what they do and we had to be up for the battle.

"We won our fair share of first balls and as the game went on I thought our more gifted players got more into the match.

"We got the goals and in the end I thought we deserved the win, as we have deserved to win all six of the games in this run."

Norwich were indeed well worth the three points, although it was a scrappy game with the one moment of true quality in the opening period giving the hosts a narrow advantage.

There was still plenty to do when Grabban's low cross from the right fell nicely at the feet of Johnson on the edge of the area, but the midfielder made his finish look easy as he blasted the ball high into net with his left foot.

Freddie Sears was denied by an excellent block from John Ruddy soon afterwards, but Town rarely looked capable of getting back into the game.

And the Canaries effectively wrapped up the points on the hour mark when a shot from substitute Cameron Jerome, who had only just come on, deflected off the heel of Grabban to deceive goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy insisted there was little between the teams on the day.

"I don't think there was a lot in the game. Norwich didn't dominate us, but they scored the two goals and won the match.

"Their first goal was a great strike and you have to take your hat off to the lad, but the cross took a deflection to get to him. The second goal took a big deflection and I think Bartosz would have saved it without that.

"On the day we didn't get anything like that.

"I know how much this game means to the fans, but we can't dwell on it. It's important now that we knuckle down and at least finish in the play-offs. If we do that then it will have been a successful season for us.

"There's still an chance for automatic promotion and if we did that I think it will really surprise a few people."

Around Sky