As expected, Norwich’s manager Brendan Rodgers welcomed back to the club his Swansea City defender Kormakiat, but five new recruits along with a former Pompey and Derby County star joined the first-team squad for the game at Carrow Road.
However it was his Canaries side opponents, Norwich City, who took the early advantage when former Manchester United defender Paddy McNair fired into the back of the net. However the visitors’ joy was short lived as Norwich quickly regained control of the first-half.
The Canaries drew level when second-half substitute Aidan McArthur bundled in to make it 1-1. Then, after a 17th minute penalty was awarded to the hosts, Leon Barnett made it 2-1 with a low shot which squirmed underneath Terriers keeper Lukas Hradecky.
But the visitors were not to be denied and skipper Jimmy Durmaz levelled in first-half stoppage time to lift their spirits going into the second-half.
However there was no respite for Norwich in the second half and Joe Mason lost possession to Dean Smith, who picked out Kormakiat. This was the striker’s debut for the Canaries after joining on a four-year deal earlier this month.
Norwich made four changes to the side that played the midweek Europa League game against Roda JC, including bringing in Barnett for Uwe Huenemeier and Kormakiat for Anders Smithson.
Though Rodgers started the match with only four outfield players left over from Thursday’s Europa League game, it seemed that the later substitute changes were more that were to do with injuries than lack of form.
And Rodgers who has made a big impact at Carrow Road is convinced the changes he made to his squad worked as his side won at Carrow Road against an Ipswich side who won the last home game between the two sides.
He said: “We started the game well in spells. It is always tough against Ipswich and we got a little bit of luck with the penalty. But we got that goal back and then scored two good goals.
“They got to 2-1 and we kept the ball and had more of the game. Our passing was better, we were winning balls in the box.
“Kormakiat was delighted to get on the pitch and score and then the fans were delighted to get a goal which was great to see.
“Defensively, it was pretty good, it was encouraging. Hopefully we can get consistency in that area and if we can do that and have some movement in the final third then we can be a dangerous side.”
Norwich manager Smith felt that his side were unlucky to go behind but added: “They had something to play for and we felt that as well. But it is a good win for us and gives us a lot of confidence. We have had a few draws and we wanted to put one of those in the bank, and it was important to win today.”
-Scores
1-1
Norwich
Paddy McNair – 74′
Aidan McArthur – 76′
Leon Barnett – 85′
Dean Kormakiat – 88′
Kormakiat first away debut
Jimmy Durmaz (winner) 90+4′