A decade and a half of disappointment have at long last come to an end for Ipswich Town. A curse that had persisted for longer than many forgotten places was broken in conclusive fashion as East Anglian rivals the visitors were beaten 3-1 and generally outplayed in the home side’s first triumph in fifteen derby matches.
Match-Winning Goals and Key Displays
Goals from Cédric Kipré – the standout performer – the skillful Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke were the decisive moments of the match, with the away team's kamikaze attacking another factor. But the presence of Marcelino Núñez, who found the net against Ipswich for Norwich in the previous derby two years ago then completed a multi-million pound transfer to Ipswich in the summer, loomed all match. Appearing on the front of the programme and in the chants of the Ipswich support, even as he began the match on the bench, this was a high-profile signing that ultimately achieved the intended outcome.
Match Summary and Key Moments
After a energetic mood in and around the stadium before the match, the opening half hour was as disjointed as chip paper. But the hosts took the advantage in the 32nd minute with a cleverly executed dead-ball situation. The delivery came from Philogene: a deep outswinger that found O'Shea at the back post. The defender headed the ball into the area to the penalty spot and, after something of a scramble, it came to Kipré who took a touch and slammed the ball into the goal.
This was what the home crowd had been after and Ipswich looked in a strong position to kick on, but the visitors fought their way back into the game. A series of lost possessions by the away side ended with one reaching Ante Crnac who burst behind Leif Davis to win a corner. Fisher's cross was aimed at Harry Darling at the back post, but was headed out to Oscar Schwartau who hit a driven effort directly at goal and, via a minor deflection, past a helpless Palmer.
Norwich were euphoric and Ipswich’s fans became a little volatile. This was a script they had seen many times before, while the Ipswich's showing was increasing worries over a scratchy start to the campaign following demotion. But one consistent factor during the opening rounds has been the prolific streak of Jaden Philogene, and he was about to score again.
Philogene’s Stunning Goal
Norwich were passing neatly in the centre of the park with the clock having just reached to 45 minutes when Oscar's fellow Dane, the midfielder Pelle Mattsson, inexplicably let the ball pass between his legs and through to a lurking Philogene. From there Philogene wasted no time. He ran direct on goal and, after two touches, let fly a rising drive from long range that clipped the top of Vladan Kovacevic’s hand but burst into the upper net of the goal. His celebration – a taunting chant with his hands in his ears – may need refinement.
After the Break Action
At half-time the Ipswich legend 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. Before long he was vindicated. The home side were more and more able to send runners into the space left open by their rivals' advanced full-backs. George Hirst ought to have netted 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 60-minute mark Hirst opted against shooting at all and passed the ball into no one.
Marcelino's Impact and Jack's Decisive Goal
With a quarter-hour to go both teams made a series of changes but attention were on one specific individual. Núñez came on to the pitch to a round of loud singing and within minutes he had made the decisive contribution the storyline had forewarned. The visitors were trying to hustle into some offensive play, but a forward burst from Harry Darling ended in a bad control and Cajuste robbed the player before rolling the ball immediately to Núñez. The Chilean needed just an moment to read the play and lofted a ball over that defensive line into his teammate Iván Azón on the left flank. His driven shot went past Kovacevic and on to a upright, but Jack Clarke (also a substitute) was on handy to tap the loose ball home calmly.
Final Moments and Reactions
The final quarter-hour were a dominant spell for the away team but there was no more damage to be suffered. Not during active play. At the full-time whistle, as the stadium erupted, the midfielder was given his own victory lap of the stadium, accompanied by the lenses. Stroking the team banner and carrying a sign of a tweet from a opposing fan calling for a memorial at Norwich's ground, the midfielder appeared to be having the moment of his career.
