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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 forgotten places was banished in decisive fashion as East Anglian rivals Norwich City were defeated 3-1 and thoroughly outclassed in the hosts' first triumph in fifteen derby matches.

Match-Winning Goals and Pivotal Performances

Goals from Kipré – the man of the match – the skillful Philogene and Clarke were the decisive moments of the contest, with Norwich’s risky offensive play also contributing. But the presence of Núñez, who found the net against Ipswich for the Canaries in the last derby match two years ago then completed a multi-million pound transfer to Suffolk in the off-season, was felt all match. Appearing on the cover of the programme and in the voices of the Ipswich support, even as he began the game on the bench, this was a transfer troll that in the end achieved the desired effect.

Game Overview and Key Moments

After a peppy atmosphere in and around the stadium before the kickoff, the first thirty minutes was as disjointed as yesterday's news. But Ipswich took the advantage in the 32nd minute with a cleverly executed set piece. The cross came from Philogene: a looping cross that found Dara O’Shea at the back post. O’Shea nodded the ball down to the penalty spot and, after a brief melee, it came to Cédric 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 kick on, but Norwich fought their way back into the game. A series of lost possessions by the visitors ended with one finding Crnac who sprinted behind Davis to win a corner. Fisher's delivery was aimed at Harry Darling at the back post, but was headed out to Oscar Schwartau who fired a low shot straight back at goal and, via a slight touch, past a helpless Alex Palmer.

The Canaries were elated and Ipswich’s fans became a somewhat restless. This was a story they had witnessed repeatedly before, while the home side’s performance was increasing concerns over a scratchy beginning to the season following demotion. But one consistent aspect during the early fixtures has been the prolific streak of Jaden Philogene, and he was about to score again.

Jaden's Stunning Strike

Norwich were playing triangles in the midfield with the clock having just reached to 45 minutes when Schwartau’s fellow Dane, the engine-room player Mattsson, inexplicably let the ball roll between his feet and through to a waiting Philogene. From there the attacker wasted no time. He advanced direct on target and, after two touches, let fly a rising drive from long range that clipped the top of Kovacevic's fingers but burst into the upper net of the goal. His celebration – a na-na-na-na-na with his hands in his ears – may require some work.

After the Break Action

At the interval the Ipswich legend Magilton came on to the pitch to urge the supporters to stick the course, and vowed that the opponent's advanced backline would produce more chances. Soon enough he was proven right. Ipswich were more and more able to spin attackers into the space left open by Norwich’s pushing defenders. Hirst ought to have netted from one such opportunity three minutes after the resumption, but fluffed his effort when facing with the keeper. Given with a mirror image of an opportunity on the hour Hirst chose not to shoot at all and passed the ball into no one.

Núñez’s Influence and Clarke’s Decisive Goal

With 15 minutes to go each side made a number of changes but attention were on a particular player. Marcelino Núñez came on to the pitch to a round of raucous chanting and soon after he had made the key involvement the narrative had anticipated. The visitors were trying to push into some offensive play, but a forward burst from Darling ended in a poor touch and Cajuste robbed the defender before rolling the ball immediately to Núñez. Núñez needed just an instant to read the situation and spun 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 Jack Clarke (also a substitute) was on hand to turn the rebound home calmly.

Final Minutes and Celebrations

The last 15 minutes were a battering for the visitors but there was no further embarrassment to be suffered. Not during active play. At the final whistle, as the stadium exploded, Núñez was given his own victory lap of the ground, followed by the cameras. Holding the team banner and carrying a sign of a social media post from a Norwich influencer demanding a Núñez statue at Norwich's ground, the midfielder appeared to be having the moment of his career.