Norwich returned to second in the Championship with a superb victory over local rivals Ipswich at Portman Road.

Andrew Surman opened the scoring with a tap-in after Arran Lee-Barrett parried Wes Hoolahan's cross.

Gareth McAuley inadvertantly touched in David Fox's corner before Simeon Jackson brilliantly converted Grant Holt's splendid delivery.

Jimmy Bullard reduced the deficit with a cracking drive before late strikes from Russell Martin and Danny Pacheco.

The resounding win meant the Canaries achieved their first double over the Suffolk club since the 2003/2004 season.

But, more importantly, Paul Lambert's team regained the initiative from Cardiff in the race for the Premier League and increased their hopes of a second successive promotion.

Cardiff are now two points behind the Canaries - but do have a game in hand.

The Bluebirds host Championship leaders QPR on Saturday in a key lunchtime match - which will be televised on BBC One and live on the BBC Sport website - with Rangers knowing a win will secure their own return to the top flight.

"We have personnel in the team that can make things happen," Lambert told BBC Radio 5 live.

"Having been promoted, we were just looking to survive this season. The supporters have been brilliant for us and they make a big, big difference. The spirit is good and there are top players here."

The Canaries finished third in the first Premier League season in 1992/93 but were relegated two seasons later. They regained their place in the top flight in 2004 but struggled and were relegated after finishing second from bottom.

Norwich were relegated again into League One in 2009 but, after losing their opening game at home 7-1 to Colchester, they rebounded in spectacular fashion, winning the title by nine points.

In Thursday's match, Norwich looked dangerous every time they broke forward but were also strong defensively against Paul Jewell's side, who had won four of their last five games going into the derby.

Ipswich produced a lacklustre performance in the first half but improved after the break.

Bullard was quiet but created the home side's best chances. He first caused Norwich nerves to twitch with a curling free-kick that went fractionally wide.

The former Fulham and Hull player then volleyed narrowly wide before finally hitting the mark 12 minutes from the end.

But any thoughts of a comeback were ended when full-back Martin slammed Norwich's fourth following a quick counter by Hoolahan before substitute Pacheco powered in the fifth in stoppage time.

The result leaves Ipswich in 12th, six points below a play-off place.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (4)

Ipswich Town

  • 12 Lee-Barrett
  • 04 McAuley
  • 05 Delaney
  • 42 Carson
  • 48 O'Dea
  • 06 Leadbitter
  • 07 Edwards
  • 08 Norris
  • 14 Bullard
  • 09 Wickham
  • 10 Scotland (Drury - 46' )

Substitutes

  • 21 Fulop
  • 02 Peters
  • 22 Brown
  • 36 White
  • 17 Drury
  • 24 Healy
  • 26 Civelli

Norwich City

  • 01 Ruddy
  • 02 R Martin
  • 06 Whitbread Booked
  • 22 Ward
  • 32 Tierney Booked
  • 07 Crofts
  • 11 Surman
  • 14 Hoolahan (Pacheco - 84' )
  • 15 Fox Booked (Lansbury - 76' )
  • 09 Holt (Vokes - 82' )
  • 10 Jackson

Substitutes

  • 13 Rudd
  • 05 Edwards
  • 12 Lansbury
  • 19 Lappin
  • 24 McNamee
  • 35 Vokes
  • 37 Pacheco
Ref: Moss
Att: 29,258

Match Stats

Shots

19 11

On target

8 6

Corners

3 3

Fouls

8 6

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:02 Full time

Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.

90:00 +3:51

Assist on the goal came from Simeon Jackson.

90:00 +3:51 Goal scored

Goal - Daniel Pacheco - Ipswich 1 - 5 Norwich Daniel Pacheco finds the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Ipswich 1-5 Norwich.

90:00 +3:37

Simeon Jackson takes a shot.

90:00 +2:08

Corner taken by Jimmy Bullard from the left by-line, clearance by Zak Whitbread.

90:00 +1:55

David Norris takes a shot. Elliott Ward gets a block in.

90:00

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andrew Crofts by Josh Carson. Elliott Ward takes the free kick.

88:35

The ball is delivered by Henri Lansbury, Effort from the edge of the area by Andrew Surman goes wide of the right-hand upright.

86:42

Effort from deep inside the area by Simeon Jackson misses to the left of the target.

86:02

Carlos Edwards sends in a cross.

85:55

The ball is delivered by Andy Drury, Zak Whitbread manages to make a clearance.

84:32

Centre by Andy Drury, Josh Carson takes a shot. Save by John Ruddy.

84:21

The ball is delivered by Darren O'Dea, Henri Lansbury gets a block in.

83:33 Substitution

Substitution (Norwich) makes a substitution, with Daniel Pacheco coming on for Wesley Hoolahan.

82:59

The ball is crossed by Carlos Edwards, save made by John Ruddy.

82:49

Jimmy Bullard takes a shot from 35 yards. Blocked by Zak Whitbread.

81:47 Substitution

Substitution Sam Vokes joins the action as a substitute, replacing Grant Holt.

79:45

Assist on the goal came from Wesley Hoolahan.

79:45 Goal scored

Goal - Russell Martin - Ipswich 1 - 4 Norwich Russell Martin finds the net with a goal from the edge of the area low into the middle of the goal. Ipswich 1-4 Norwich.

79:43

The ball is delivered by Wesley Hoolahan,

79:08

Outswinging corner taken by Jimmy Bullard, Marc Tierney makes a clearance.

77:32

Assist on the goal came from David Norris.

77:32

Assist by David Norris.

77:32 Goal scored

Goal - Jimmy Bullard - Ipswich 1 - 3 Norwich Jimmy Bullard scores a goal. Ipswich 1-3 Norwich.

76:39

Foul by Josh Carson on Wesley Hoolahan, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Wesley Hoolahan.

76:21

The ball is delivered by Carlos Edwards, Russell Martin manages to make a clearance.

75:27 Substitution

Substitution Henri Lansbury joins the action as a substitute, replacing David Fox.

74:05

Effort on goal by Andy Drury from long range goes over the crossbar.

72:56

Assist by Grant Holt.

72:56 Goal scored

Goal - Simeon Jackson - Ipswich 0 - 3 Norwich Simeon Jackson finds the net with a goal from close range low into the middle of the goal. Ipswich 0-3 Norwich.

72:52

The ball is delivered by Grant Holt,

71:17

Grant Leadbitter produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.

69:57

Darren O'Dea produces a cross, Zak Whitbread manages to make a clearance.

68:59

The official flags David Norris offside. John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.

68:21

Josh Carson takes a shot from 30 yards. Elliott Ward gets a block in.

67:35

The ball is sent over by Andy Drury.

65:32

A cross is delivered by David Norris, blocked by Andrew Crofts.

64:23

Effort by Andrew Crofts from a long way out goes over the target.

63:39

The ball is crossed by Darren O'Dea, clearance by Marc Tierney.

62:41

David Norris delivers the ball, save by John Ruddy.

61:46

Unfair challenge on Grant Holt by Gareth McAuley results in a free kick. Elliott Ward takes the direct free kick.

60:59

The ball is swung over by Darren O'Dea, blocked by Russell Martin.

60:18

Marc Tierney challenges Josh Carson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Carlos Edwards takes the free kick.

59:52

Wesley Hoolahan fouled by Grant Leadbitter, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Elliott Ward.

56:43

The ball is delivered by Josh Carson.

55:38

Strike on goal comes in from Jimmy Bullard from the free kick, save by John Ruddy. Jimmy Bullard takes a outswinging corner.

55:38 Booking

Booking Marc Tierney booked.

54:55

Unfair challenge on Josh Carson by Marc Tierney results in a free kick.

53:57

Free kick awarded for a foul by Damien Delaney on Grant Holt. Free kick taken by Wesley Hoolahan.

52:37

The ball is sent over by Josh Carson, Russell Martin manages to make a clearance.

49:53

A cross is delivered by Carlos Edwards.

48:17

Shot by Andy Drury from outside the box goes over the net.

47:35

Corner from the left by-line taken by David Fox, Damien Delaney manages to make a clearance.

47:27

Simeon Jackson crosses the ball, blocked by Damien Delaney.

46:14

Jimmy Bullard has an effort at goal from outside the area which goes wide right of the goal.

46:08

David Norris produces a cross, Zak Whitbread manages to make a clearance.

45:47

The ball is sent over by Carlos Edwards, clearance by Zak Whitbread.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Andy Drury on for Jason Scotland.

45:00 +2:00 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

45:00 +1:32

Centre by David Norris, save made by John Ruddy.

44:47

Effort from just outside the area by Jimmy Bullard goes over the bar.

42:24

Wesley Hoolahan takes a shot. Blocked by Grant Leadbitter.

41:42

Centre by Carlos Edwards, save by John Ruddy.

38:23

Grant Holt challenges Gareth McAuley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Arran Lee-Barrett takes the direct free kick.

37:54

Centre by David Norris, clearance made by Zak Whitbread.

36:35

The ball is sent over by Russell Martin.

34:10

Foul by Jason Scotland on Elliott Ward, free kick awarded. John Ruddy restarts play with the free kick.

30:40

Shot from deep inside the area by Jimmy Bullard clears the crossbar.

30:34

The ball is swung over by Connor Wickham, Elliott Ward makes a clearance.

27:18

Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Jimmy Bullard.

27:18 Booking

Booking Zak Whitbread is given a yellow card.

27:09

Zak Whitbread concedes a free kick for a foul on Josh Carson.

24:49

Andrew Crofts sends in a cross, Gareth McAuley makes a clearance.

24:43

Russell Martin sends in a cross, Damien Delaney makes a clearance.

23:09 Goal scored

Goal - Gareth McAuley - Ipswich 0 - 2 Norwich Gareth McAuley puts the ball into his own goal. Ipswich 0-2 Norwich.

22:35

Corner taken by David Fox from the left by-line.

21:50

Effort from the edge of the area by Josh Carson goes wide of the right-hand post.

21:06

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andrew Crofts on Jimmy Bullard. Free kick taken by Jimmy Bullard.

20:59

Darren O'Dea crosses the ball, Marc Tierney makes a clearance.

19:36

The ball is sent over by Jimmy Bullard, clearance by Zak Whitbread.

18:10

Grant Leadbitter has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the target.

14:15

Shot from 30 yards from Jimmy Bullard. Save made by John Ruddy.

12:30

Assist on the goal came from Wesley Hoolahan.

12:30 Goal scored

Goal - Andrew Surman - Ipswich 0 - 1 Norwich Goal scored by Andrew Surman from inside the box low into the middle of the goal. Ipswich 0-1 Norwich.

12:29

Wesley Hoolahan produces a cross, save by Arran Lee-Barrett.

11:55

Grant Leadbitter has an effort at goal and missed to the left of the net.

10:35

Effort on goal by Connor Wickham from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.

10:03

The ball is crossed by Jimmy Bullard.

9:23

Free kick taken by Darren O'Dea.

9:23 Booking

Booking David Fox is booked.

9:18

Foul by David Fox on David Norris, free kick awarded.

8:32

Shot by Jason Scotland. Save made by John Ruddy.

3:26

Foul by Grant Leadbitter on Russell Martin, free kick awarded. David Fox restarts play with the free kick.

2:02

Gareth McAuley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andrew Surman. Direct free kick taken by David Fox.

0:58

Centre by Andrew Surman, Grant Holt takes a shot.

0:21

Corner taken left-footed by Wesley Hoolahan, clearance made by David Norris.

0:10

Grant Holt takes a shot. Gareth McAuley gets a block in.

0:00

The match begins.

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