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A decade and a half of hurt have finally been laid to rest for Ipswich Town. A curse that had persisted for more than many forgotten places was banished in conclusive fashion as local adversaries the visitors were beaten 3-1 and generally outclassed in the hosts' first triumph in fifteen derby matches.

Decisive Strikes and Pivotal Performances

Scores from Kipré – the man of the match – the mercurial Philogene and Jack Clarke were the decisive moments of the contest, with the away team's risky offensive play another factor. But the figure of Núñez, who found the net against Ipswich for Norwich in the last derby match two seasons ago then finalized a £10m move to Suffolk in the summer, loomed throughout. Featuring on the cover of the programme and in the voices of the Ipswich support, even as he started the match on the bench, this was a high-profile signing that in the end delivered the intended outcome.

Match Overview and Key Moments

After a peppy mood in and around the stadium before the kickoff, the first thirty minutes was as scrappy as chip paper. But the hosts took the lead in the 32nd minute with a cleverly executed dead-ball situation. The delivery came from Philogene: a looping cross that found Dara O’Shea at the far post. The defender nodded the ball into the area to the penalty spot and, after something of a scramble, it came to Kipré who took a touch and crashed the ball into the net.

This was what the home crowd had been waiting for and the team looked well placed to kick on, but the visitors fought their way back into the game. A number of lost possessions by the visitors ended with one finding Ante Crnac who sprinted behind Leif Davis to win a corner. Fisher's delivery was directed at Darling at the back post, but was cleared out to Schwartau who fired a low shot straight back at goal and, via a slight touch, past a helpless Alex Palmer.

Norwich were elated and the home supporters became a somewhat restless. This was a script they had witnessed repeatedly before, while the home side’s performance was amplifying concerns over a uneven start to the season following relegation. But one consistent aspect during the early fixtures has been the prolific streak of Philogene, and he was set to strike again.

Jaden's Stunning Strike

Norwich were playing triangles in the midfield with the time having just reached to the stroke of halftime when Oscar's fellow Dane, the midfielder 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 target and, after a couple of controls, unleashed a powerful shot from long range that brushed the top of Kovacevic's fingers but flew into the top corner of the goal. His reaction – a na-na-na-na-na with his hands in his head – may need refinement.

After the Break Events

At half-time the club icon Magilton came on to the field to encourage the supporters to keep believing, and vowed that the opponent's high defensive line would produce more opportunities. Soon enough he was proven right. The home side were increasingly able to spin runners into the space offered up by their rivals' pushing defenders. Hirst ought to have netted from one such opportunity soon after the resumption, but mishit his shot when one on one with Kovacevic. Given with a mirror image of an opportunity on the 60-minute mark Hirst chose not to shoot at all and passed the ball into no one.

Marcelino's Influence and Jack's Decisive Goal

With a quarter-hour to go each side made a series of changes but attention were on one specific individual. Marcelino Núñez emerged on to the field to a round of loud singing and soon after he had made the decisive contribution the narrative had forewarned. The visitors were attempting to push into some offensive play, but a surge from Darling ended in a bad control and Cajuste stole the player before sliding the ball instantly to Núñez. Núñez needed just an moment to read the situation and spun a ball over that high line into his teammate Iván Azón on the left hand side. His driven shot went past the goalkeeper and on to a post, but Clarke (also a substitute) was on hand to turn the rebound home calmly.

Final Moments and Reactions

The last 15 minutes were a dominant spell for the visitors but there was no further embarrassment to be endured. At least not in open play. At the final whistle, as the stadium erupted, Núñez was afforded his own lap of honor of the stadium, followed by the cameras. Holding the team banner and carrying a banner of a tweet from a Norwich influencer demanding a memorial at Carrow Road, the player appeared to be having the time of his life.