A Mexican masterclass from Giovani dos Santos ensured Ipswich saw off local rivals Norwich to send the Canaries a step closer to relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship.

Bryan Gunn's visitors had forged ahead thanks to a fine header from David Mooney but Alan Quinn fired the home side level after an inspired touch from the on-loan Tottenham youngster sent him clear.

Giovani then converted a contentious second-half penalty to cap a performance of Premier League quality which illustrated why Spurs were willing to spend over £4million to bring him from Barcelona last summer.

Substitute Jon Stead then hit a late third to confirm a costly defeat for Norwich, who grabbed a last-minute consolation through Sammy Clingan.

Norwich are a point adrift of safety with just two games remaining and could be left to rue the soft penalty decision for Giovani's goal if they find themselves in League One next season.

But the visitors started well and had already gone close through Alan Gow before they took a 16th-minute lead.

Clingan whipped in a free-kick from the right and Mooney was left unmarked to send a fabulous header beyond Richard Wright and into the far corner from 15 yards.

They were unable to build on the goal however and found themselves pegged back in the 25th minute.

Pablo Counago turned Gary Doherty on the left touchline and fired a splendid crossfield ball to the edge of the area where Giovani showed real class to volley a deft lay-off perfectly into the run of Quinn.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder did not have to break stride as he lashed home under the body of David Marshall with his left foot.

Giovani then sent Kevin Lisbie clear with another sublime pass but the City defence scrambled it clear before Ben Thatcher was injured in a 50-50 challenge with Lee Croft.

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton had no defenders among his substitutes so Jaime Peters was asked to do a job at left-back for the remainder of the contest.

Magilton's half-time team talk should have been to give Giovani the ball at every opportunity and the 19-year-old Mexican called Marshall into action within the first few minutes of the second half.

Peters did well to play the ball into the former Barcelona man and he wriggled past a bemused Jason Shackell before firing in a shot which Marshall beat away at his near post.

Doherty then had to block yet another effort from Giovani before Pim Balkestein fired over after the teenager's cross caused havoc in the City defence.

It appeared inevitable that Giovani would eventually create a third goal and he did so on the hour mark.

After floating in off the wing he sent Lisbie clear with a beautiful pass and Marshall rushed out to narrow the angle.

Lisbie hurdled the challenge and after waiting for an age referee Niall Swarbrick pointed to the spot.

Giovani stepped up and calmly rolled the penalty into the bottom corner to the delight of the home crowd.

Norwich poured forward in search of an equaliser but it was Stead who grabbed the goal in the 88th minute.

Lisbie flicked on a long ball to send Stead clear and he showed admirable cool to side-foot past Marshall from eight yards.

Swarbrick then awarded the Canaries a penalty in stoppage time after Quinn appeared to climb on Alan Lee and Clingan fired home to ensure a nervy finale.

Teams

Ipswich Richard Wright, Bruce, Campo, Balkestein,Thatcher (Peters 44), Giovani (Haynes 78), Norris,Shumulikoski, Quinn, Lisbie, Counago (Stead 79).

Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Garvan.

Booked: Counago, Bruce, Haynes.

Goals: Quinn 24, Giovani 62 pen, Stead 90.

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Shackell, Doherty, Bertrand,Croft (McDonald 68), Clingan, Russell, Gow, Lee, Mooney.

Subs Not Used: Nelson, Lappin, Leijer, Smith.

Booked: Gow.

Goals: Mooney 16, Clingan 90 pen.

Att: 28,274

Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).