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Sixteen years of disappointment have at long last been laid to rest for the home side. An unwanted streak that had persisted for more than many abandoned burial grounds was broken in conclusive fashion as East Anglian rivals the visitors were beaten 3-1 and thoroughly outclassed in the hosts' first win in 15 derbies.

Decisive Strikes and Pivotal Performances

Goals from Cédric Kipré – the man of the match – the mercurial Jaden Philogene and Clarke were the key turning points of the match, with the away team's kamikaze attacking another factor. But the figure of Marcelino Núñez, who scored against Ipswich for Norwich in the last derby match two seasons ago then finalized a £10m move to Ipswich in the off-season, was felt all match. Appearing on the front of the matchday program and in the chants of the Ipswich support, even as he started the game on the bench, this was a high-profile signing that ultimately delivered the intended outcome.

Match Summary and Critical Moments

After a energetic atmosphere in and around the stadium before the kickoff, the opening half hour was as disjointed as chip paper. But Ipswich took the lead in the 32nd minute with a cleverly executed set piece. The delivery came from Philogene: a deep outswinger that found Dara O’Shea at the back post. The defender nodded the ball into the area to the center of the box and, after something of a scramble, it fell to Kipré who took a touch and crashed the ball into the net.

This was what the home crowd had been waiting for and Ipswich looked in a strong position to push forward, but Norwich fought their way back into the match. A number of lost possessions by the away side ended with one reaching Crnac who sprinted behind Leif Davis to win a set-piece. Fisher's cross was aimed at Harry Darling at the far post, but was cleared out to Schwartau who hit a driven effort straight back at the target and, via a minor deflection, past a helpless Palmer.

The Canaries were euphoric and Ipswich’s fans became a somewhat restless. This was a story they had witnessed many times before, while the home side’s showing was increasing concerns over a uneven beginning to the campaign following demotion. But one reliable aspect during the opening rounds has been the prolific streak of Philogene, and he was about to score again.

Philogene’s Stunning Strike

Norwich were playing triangles in the midfield with the clock having just reached to the stroke of halftime when Schwartau’s fellow Dane, the engine-room player Mattsson, unaccountably let the ball roll between his feet and through to a waiting Philogene. From there the attacker acted quickly. He advanced direct on goal and, after two touches, let fly a rising drive from long range that clipped the top of Kovacevic's fingers but burst into the top corner of the goal. His celebration – a taunting chant with his fingers in his head – may require some work.

Second Half Action

At the interval the club icon Jim Magilton came on to the pitch to encourage the fans to stick the course, and pledged that the opponent's advanced backline would create more chances. Before long he was vindicated. The home side were increasingly able to spin attackers into the gap offered up by Norwich’s pushing defenders. George Hirst ought to have netted from a similar chance three minutes after the restart, but mishit his shot when one on one with the keeper. Given with a identical situation of an opportunity on the 60-minute mark the forward opted against shooting at all and crossed the ball into empty space.

Núñez’s Influence and Jack's Clincher

With 15 minutes to go both teams made a number of changes but all eyes were on a particular player. Marcelino Núñez came on to the pitch to a chorus of loud singing and within minutes he had made the key involvement the storyline had anticipated. The visitors were trying to hustle into some offensive play, but a surge from Darling ended in a poor touch and Jens Cajuste stole the defender before rolling the ball instantly to the Chilean. Núñez needed just an instant to assess the play and lofted a ball over that defensive line into his teammate Azón on the left hand side. His driven shot went past Kovacevic and on to a upright, but Clarke (also a substitute) was on handy to turn the rebound home coolly.

Final Minutes and Celebrations

The final quarter-hour were a dominant spell for the visitors but there was no further embarrassment to be endured. At least not in open play. At the full-time whistle, as the stadium erupted, Núñez was given his own victory lap of the ground, accompanied by the cameras. Stroking the Ipswich flag and displaying a banner of a tweet from a opposing fan demanding a memorial at Norwich's ground, the midfielder appeared to be having the time of his life.