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A decade and a half of frustration have finally come to an end for the home side. A curse that had lingered for more than most forgotten places was banished in conclusive fashion as East Anglian rivals the visitors were defeated 3-1 and thoroughly outclassed in the home side’s first triumph in fifteen derby matches.

Match-Winning Strikes and Pivotal Displays

Goals from Kipré – the standout performer – the skillful Philogene and Clarke were the key turning points of the contest, with the away team's kamikaze attacking another factor. But the presence of Marcelino Núñez, who scored against Ipswich for Norwich in the last derby match two seasons ago then completed a £10m move to Ipswich in the off-season, loomed throughout. Featuring on the front of the matchday program and in the voices of the home fans, even as he started the match on the bench, this was a transfer troll that in the end achieved the intended outcome.

Match Summary and Key Incidents

After a energetic atmosphere in and around the stadium before the match, the opening half hour was as scrappy as chip paper. But Ipswich took the lead in the 32nd minute with a cleverly executed set piece. The delivery came from Philogene: a looping cross that found Dara O’Shea at the far post. O’Shea headed the ball into the area to the penalty spot and, after a brief melee, it came to Cédric Kipré who controlled it and crashed the ball into the goal.

This was what the home crowd had been after and Ipswich looked well placed to kick on, but the visitors fought their way back into the game. A number of lost possessions by the away side ended with one finding Crnac who sprinted behind Leif Davis to win a corner. Kellen Fisher’s delivery was aimed at Harry Darling at the back post, but was headed out to Schwartau who fired a low shot straight back at goal and, via a minor deflection, past a helpless Alex Palmer.

Norwich were euphoric and the home supporters became a somewhat restless. This was a script they had witnessed many times before, while the Ipswich's showing was increasing concerns over a scratchy beginning to the season following demotion. But one consistent factor during the early fixtures has been the prolific streak of Jaden Philogene, and he was set to strike again.

Jaden's Spectacular Strike

The away team were passing neatly in the centre of the park with the time having just ticked to the stroke of halftime when Schwartau’s fellow Dane, the engine-room player Pelle Mattsson, unaccountably let the ball pass between his feet and through to a waiting Ipswich No 11. From there Philogene wasted no time. He advanced straight on target and, after a couple of controls, unleashed a powerful shot from long range that clipped the top of Kovacevic's fingers but flew into the top corner of the net. His reaction – a taunting chant with his hands in his head – may require some work.

Second Half Action

At half-time the Ipswich legend Magilton came on to the field to urge the fans to stick the course, and pledged that the opponent's high defensive line would create more opportunities. Before long he was proven right. Ipswich were increasingly able to send runners into the space offered up by Norwich’s advanced full-backs. George Hirst should have scored from a similar chance soon after the resumption, but fluffed his shot when one on one with the keeper. Given with a identical situation of an opening on the hour Hirst opted against shooting at all and passed the ball into empty space.

Marcelino's Influence and Clarke’s Decisive Goal

With a quarter-hour to go both teams made a series of substitutions but attention were on one specific individual. Núñez emerged on to the field to a chorus of loud singing and soon after he had made the decisive contribution the narrative had forewarned. The visitors were attempting to hustle into some attacking activity, but a forward burst from Darling ended in a poor touch and Cajuste stole the defender before rolling the ball immediately to the Chilean. Núñez needed just an instant to assess the situation and lofted a ball behind that defensive line into his fellow substitute Azón on the left flank. His driven shot went past Kovacevic and on to a upright, but Clarke (another sub) was on handy to tap the loose ball home coolly.

Final Minutes and Reactions

The final quarter-hour were a dominant spell for the away team but there was no more damage to be suffered. At least not in open play. At the final whistle, as the stadium erupted, the midfielder was afforded his own victory lap of the ground, accompanied by the cameras. Holding the team banner and carrying a sign of a tweet from a Norwich influencer demanding a memorial at Norwich's ground, the player appeared to be having the moment of his career.