Championship: Norwich 4 Ipswich 1

A hat-trick from captain Grant Holt fired Norwich City into the top six of the Championship after a 4-1 defeat of Ipswich Town on Saturday.

The first East Anglian derby of the season was largely a one-sided affair with the sending-off of Ipswich defender Damien Delaney after 37 minutes crucial in determining the outcome of the match.

Norwich boss Paul Lambert dropped playmaker Wes Hoolahan in place of Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury while Gianni Zuiverloon and Rory Fallon made their first Ipswich appearances after joining the club from West Bromwich and Plymouth Argyle respectively.

The match started at a frantic pace with both sides eager to claim early ascendancy but it was the home fans who were celebrating at Carrow Road after Holt notched his first.

A mistake from former Celtic defender Darren O’Dea allowed Holt to steal the ball, before he charged towards goal and smashed an impressive right-footed shot past Marton Fulop.

Ipswich produced an equaliser through Delaney who nodded home from barely a yard out after 29 minutes, only for Holt to add to his account six minutes later.

And just eight minutes after his goal, Delaney turned from hero to villain when he hauled down Holt as the last man in defence, receiving a red card in the process.

Holt completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute, converting from 15 yards after terrific build-up work from Chris Martin.

Martin was involved again just two minutes later, setting up substitute Hoolahan who produced a delicate chip over Fulop to seal the 4-1 result.

Norwich’s victory sees them move into the playoff places while Ipswich remain in 16th.