The Ipswich player was shown a yellow card by referee but Peter Bankes brandished red to Lambert, who had to be restrained by a police officer before order was finally restored.

"Do I regret it? No I don't," said former Norwich boss Lambert, who had to watch the second half from the directors' box.

"I am not going to stand back and watch when people are running 30 yards to try and get one of my players booked.

"And I don't want members of the other coaching staff in my technical area. I stood my ground – and then a steward put his hands on me and I objected to that.

"As for the police officer and I had no problems with him, he was just trying to make sure I was OK. All I do know is the wrong Norwich person was sent off. It wasn't him I had the issue with."

On the game itself, Lambert added: "We gave away a poor goal early on but after that I thought we were in the ascendancy.

"I can't fault the effort and commitment of the players – it was absolutely top class and that's exactly the sort of fight we will need from them between now and the end of the season.

"There was nothing in it. We had a lot of the ball, played well and made a real fight of it and the difference was just at the top end of the pitch.

"We weren't going to come here and be shrinking violets, that's for sure. I also thought our support was incredible – and we have all just got to keep believing."

Norwich took a firm grip on proceedings after just 80 seconds, with Hernandez firing home from close range after his initial effort had been blocked.

Town did not fold after such a dreadful start, and had their moments in what was a feisty local derby.

However, the hosts generally kept them at arm's length and doubled their advantage midway through the second period when Pukki latched on to Emi Buendia's superb pass to guide the ball into the bottom corner.

Pukki added a third from the same source 10 minutes from time, with the Finnish frontman sliding the ball past the onrushing keeper to confirm a winning margin that was tough on the battling visitors.

Norwich coach Daniel Farke was delighted to pass a tough derby test.

"It's great to come away with three points from the derby because I know how important this game is to the supporters," he said.

"There was a tremendous atmosphere, with a fans' march beforehand and lots of banners in the stand and we went out there and gave the people what they wanted, which is a good feeling.

"It was a tough match, which we expected. Ipswich are fighting for their lives and they made it difficult for us.

"They were doing anything they could to get under our skin, to annoy us, but we kept cool and I think it was a deserved win. I don't remember Tim Krul making a save.

"It's something the fans can enjoy – and we can for a short while – but this was the first of three games in six days and we will need to move on to the next one (at Preston) quickly."

On the flashpoint before half-time, he added: "It was not something I was interested in. I turned away. But one thing I will say is that it was not Chris Domogalla getting involved.

"I have a lot of time for Paul Lambert and 95 per cent of the Ipswich staff and players are fine. But a few of them should have shown a bit more class."

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