Saturday 9 May 2015 16:17, UK
Ipswich Town defender Luke Chambers and Norwich City midfielder Jonny Howson both said they were happy after playing out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final at Portman Road on Saturday.
Howson gave the visitors the lead four minutes before the interval with his ninth goal of the season, only for the Tractor Boys to then draw level in first-half injury time through Paul Anderson's strike.
And that means there is much to play for in the return encounter at Carrow Road next Saturday, with the two rivals still in with a great chance of making it through to the final at Wembley.
“These are the games you want to play in,” man-of-the-match Luke Chambers told Sky Sports after the match.” I have been saying it to the boys, if we can make it, these are the occasions as a professional you want to play in.
“I think both sets of fans were very good today, hopefully there is no trouble before and after, but I think the game was played at a good pace and it shows how much it means to each of us.
“We are taking something up the road and it is all to play for and we will be looking forward to next week.”
Meanwhile, Howson refused to acknowledge that the Canaries now held the advantage going into the second leg.
“I think it was going to be tight anyway,” he said. “They are obviously the home side, and I think as Luke said, both teams were going for it and you can see how much it means to us.
“It was nice that we got in front early on, obviously a bit disappointed to concede just before half-time, but it is set up nicely now and roll on next Saturday now.
“I do not think [we are the favourites now]. The play-offs have teams that have done well throughout the season and when you have teams going for it so much, there are no easy games. It is going to be difficult and it is on one game now.”
