Ipswich Town 2 Norwich City 0

BLISS it was to be an Ipswich Town supporter last night. Deserved victory over Norwich in the most eagerly awaited game at Portman Road since the clubs were relegated together two years ago consolidated the home team's prospects of a play-off place while demolishing those of the old enemy.

Goals by natives of those passionate football cities Buenos Aires and Liverpool, Mauricio Taricco and Paul Mason, settled a predictably fractious East Anglian grudge match in which seven Norwich players were booked.

It was the second time this season that local pride had been subsumed by even more important considerations. Norwich's victory in the corresponding fixture at Carrow Road in October took them to the top of the table and sent Ipswich on a slide that only halted when they reached 19th position.

The subsequent revival had petered out, then flourished again with successive 4-0 victories before last night's encounter, so Suffolk's confidence was high. It soared still more with two goals in the last 15 minutes of the first half.

In the 31st minute, Taricco, taking a neat pass from Steve Sedgley, kept his head admirably in placing a right-footed shot wide of the goalkeeper.

Portman Road shook and was still vibrating 10 minutes later when an elaborate free-kick routine misfired, only for Geraint Williams to hook the ball back into the danger area. Mason reacted fastest to strike his 15th goal of the season.

Daily Telegraph