Jaden Philogene scores stunning long-range strike as Ipswich claim derby honours

Jaden Philogene scored a stunning 30-yard goal as Ipswich secured a pulsating 3-1 Championship victory over arch rivals Norwich.

Philogene’s long-range shot followed Cedric Kipre’s opener, while substitute Jack Clarke added a third, deep into the second half to seal maximum points.

It was the first time Town had beaten the Canaries in 16 years and the result saw them move up to ninth in the table to sit just two points off the top six.

Norwich – who remain just above the relegation zone in 19th – had equalised through Oscar Schwartau prior to Philogene’s stunner, which was played in a thrilling derby atmosphere inside Portman Road.

The hosts had the ball in the net in the 22nd minute through Philogene but George Hirst was adjudged to have fouled Harry Darling in the build-up, while Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer parried a fierce shot away for a corner following a shot from Schwartau.

Town broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute following a corner from Philogene.

Ipswich skipper Dara O’Shea initially headed the ball across the six-yard area where centre-back Kipre connected with it on his second attempt and fired it high into the net for his first goal for the club.

But Norwich equalised three minutes later through Schwartau, whose shot from the edge of the penalty area took a slight deflection off Kipre.

Hirst almost dragged Ipswich back into the lead when Jens Cajuste put him through on goal but his shot was deflected wide for a corner.

But the home side retook the lead on the stroke of half-time following a thunderous shot from Philogene.

He picked the ball up in midfield and turned Pelle Mattsson, ran forward and fired a rocket of a shot from fully 30 yards out.

Hirst had a great chance to extend Town’s lead following a cross from Sammie Szmodics but his tame effort was safely gathered by Vladan Kovacevic.

Serbia international Mirko Topic had a wonderful opportunity to level the scores when perfectly placed in the penalty area but fired just wide of the goal.

At the other end, Hirst elected to square the ball across the six-yard box rather than go for goal and Philogene fired just over the Norwich crossbar.

Hirst’s header struck the top of the Ipswich goal following a corner and there were huge cheers in the 75th minute when former Norwich midfielder Marcelino Nunez came off the Ipswich bench replace Jens Cajuste.

And Nunez was involved in the third and crucial goal scored by Clarke in the 77th minute. He threaded the ball through to Ivan Azon, who struck the post but Clarke was on hand to put the ball into the back of the net.

Chuba Akpom nearly added a fourth for a dominant Ipswich as they secured the three points and finally ended a long awaited victory over the Canaries.