Town hit five at Portman Road under Mick McCarthy for the first time as the Blues thrashed deep-in-trouble Sunderland 5-2. Martyn Waghorn opened the scoring against his old club in the sixth minute, Billy Jones equalised four minutes later but Spence restored the impressive Blues’ lead when he headed home Waghorn’s corner on 27 to make it 2-1 at the break. In the second half, Waghorn created the best of the night for Bersant Celina and then Town’s fourth for David McGoldrick, Aiden McGeady pulled one back for the Wearsiders, then sub Grant Ward added the fifth a minute from time.

On-loan Manchester City man Celina was handed his first Championship start and Waghorn returned to the XI against the club where he started his career. Tristan Nydam and Ward dropped to the bench.

The Blues started in a 4-2-3-1 system with Cole Skuse and Tom Adeyemi in the deeper midfield positions and Celina in a number 10 role with McGoldrick to his left, Waghorn to his right and Joe Garner the lone out-and-out striker.

With Flynn Downes out until after the international break Kevin Bru was on the bench for the first time this season having been told he could move on in the summer. Michael Crowe was the sub keeper with Dean Gerken not in the squad.

Sunderland made five changes from the team that lost 2-1 at home to Cardiff on Saturday with Jones, Jason Steele, Callum McManaman, Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson replacing Robbin Ruiter, Tyias Browning, Didier Ndong, George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch. Former Blues loanee Jonny Williams, who has been ill, wasn’t included in the 18.

There was a late change to the referee with Tim Robinson from West Sussex taking charge not Darren Bond as initially announced.

McManaman hit an early shot which Bartosz Bialkowski saved comfortably down to his left but the Blues quickly began to get on top, Waghorn making a strong run into the area before Marc Wilson stabbed behind. Then, from the resultant corner, Skuse saw a shot deflect wide.

And in the sixth minute Town took the lead. Iorfa laid the ball back to Garner on the right, the striker whipped over a cross and Waghorn flicked a header across Steele and into the net for his fifth goal in seven league games for the Blues, almost certainly perhaps the most memorable as it came against the club he joined as an eight-year-old.

But then lead lasted only four minutes. McGeady sent over a corner from the left and Jones headed into the ground and then the net at the near post far too easily.

On 15, after a long spell of Blues possession, Waghorn hit a shot from the edge of the area which was too close to Steele.

Town continued to dominate and on 19 Garner’s header from Celina’s right-sided corner was nodded out of the six-yard box. The Kosovo international sent in another cross and Steele punched away ahead of Jordan Spence. Adeyemi picked up the loose ball but shot over.

The Blues should have gone back in front in the 23rd minute when Celina, by now having switched positions with McGoldrick, fed the overlapping Knudsen on the left and the Danish international cut back to Waghorn, who diverted the ball wide of the far post from eight yards.

Four minutes later, Celina nodded on to Knudsen 30 yards out and the Dane’s shot deflected wide.

And from the corner on the left the Blues restored their lead. Waghorn sent the ball into the box and Spence headed home his second goal of the season unchallenged.

Having added an assist to his earlier goal, Waghorn went looking for a third Town goal and almost immediately after the restart was sent away on the right. However, Steele was quickly off his line to claim ahead of the Blues’ number nine, subsequently requiring treatment for a knock sustained as he dived at the striker’s feet.

Town continued to have most of the ball and prodded and probed with McGoldrick far more involved having switched into the middle.

They came close to adding their third goal in the 33rd minute when Celina crossed from the left and Adeyemi headed powerfully goalwards but straight at Steele. Moments later, Waghorn struck a shot on the turn from the edge of the box, which flew only just wide.

As half-time approached Sunderland began to regain something of a foothold in the game, Lamine Koné heading a left-sided McGeady corner beyond the far post.

At the other end, Celina cut in from the left and hit a shot which Steele missed but Adam Matthews cleared from behind him. A minute later, James Vaughan was yellow-carded for catching Knudsen with a high boot.

It was still virtually all Town as stand-in referee Robinson ended the half to warm applause from a thoroughly impressed and entertained Portman Road crowd.

The Blues more than deserved their first-half lead after their best home display since the opening day of the season and could easily have been more than the single goal in front.

The performance was a continuation of the second half at Leeds only more so, passing the ball around confidently and creating plenty of chances with Waghorn, McGoldrick and Celina, who was working well with Knudsen down the left, causing the Wearsiders’ backline considerable problems throughout.

The visitors had rarely threatened aside from their goal, which came against the run of play and was the one blot on the first-half display.

Three minutes after the restart the Black Cats came close to getting on terms for the second time. Spence intercepted McManaman’s cross from the right but it only reached Cattermole. The Sunderland skipper headed goalwards but Bialkowski showed superb reactions to tip over.

From the subsequent corner the Blues keeper came but failed to claim, however, the ball bounced wide at the far post off a Sunderland player.

At the other end Garner across the face and wide from the right after the ball had been stabbed away from Waghorn as he broke into the area, prior to Wearsiders defender Wilson made way having picked up a knock with John O’Shea taking over.

Four minutes later, Town made it 3-1 via the goal of the night and the best of the season so far.

Garner flicked a header on to Iorfa on the right - as he had in the run up to the first goal - and after possession was lost won the ball back and cut it across to Waghorn, who deftly flicked into the path of Celina with the inside of his left heel as the Kosovo international broke into the box and the on-loan Manchester City man confidently slammed home.

On the hour the rampant Blues made it 4-1 with Waghorn picking up his third assist of the night in addition to his goal.

The summer signing from Rangers was sent away on the right by Garner and crossed towards McGoldrick who slid the ball goalwards, the ball hitting Steele then rebounding off the Town striker before crossing the line.

The goal took McGoldrick’s tally for the season to six, already one more than the Republic of Ireland international scored last season.

It appeared the remaining half an hour would be a case of how many Town could score but in the 65th minute McGeady pulled a goal back out of the blue. The Ireland international cut in from the left and struck an unstoppable shot into the top left of Bialkowski’s net.

The Blues immediately went about looking to restore their three-goal lead, McGoldrick hitting a 25-yard freekick off the wall and wide after Garner had been fouled.

On 76 Town switched Celina, who was tiring, for Nydam and Waghorn for Ward the withdrawn pair receiving a warm ovation from the Blues support after outstanding performances.

Despite the two-goal deficit and an eighth game without a win looking all but certain, Sunderland showed no signs of giving up and in the 79th minute McGeady hit a 25-yard freekick over the bar off the top of the Town wall.

The Blues were briefly and for the first time pegged back in their area, Sunderland subs Lynden Gooch and George Honeyman both having made an impact, and in the 81st minute the Wearsiders weren’t too far away from their third of the night, Cattermole turning a cross from the left well wide at the near post.

Sub Nydam was booked for a foul as the match moved into its final scheduled five minutes, then the England U19 tried to audaciously chip Steele from well inside his own half but his attempt fell well short.

With a minute left on the clock Town made it 5-2. McGoldrick brilliantly ghosted his way past Sunderland defenders midway inside the visitors’ half before superbly playing in Ward. The sub rounded the keeper and confidently smashed into the net from a tight angle on the right.

The once again excellent McGoldrick made way moments later to a standing ovation, Freddie Sears taking over.

Referee Robinson eventually put Sunderland out of their misery after five additional minutes, the Blues having put in as good a home display as at any time under McCarthy’s management.

Town continued their first-half display after the break, scoring two goals which will be remembered for a very long time.

There were fine performances throughout the side with McGoldrick again perhaps the standout performer, while Waghorn will be delighted with his display, goal and three assists against his old club and Celina with his impressive first Championship start.

At the other end Bialkowski made one fantastic save at a crucial point in what was largely otherwise a quiet game for the Polish keeper.

The result is only the second time Town have scored five under McCarthy’s management - the 5-2 win at Rotherham in November 2015 - and the first time they’ve netted five at home since the 5-1 hammering of West Ham in January 2012.

Town, the top scorers in the division with 19 goals, are now fifth, five points off the leaders with a game in hand and Bristol City - who beat Bolton 2-0 at home tonight - at Portman Road on Saturday.

Town: Bialkowski, Iorfa, Spence, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Skuse, Adeyemi, Celina (Nydam 76), Waghorn (Ward 76), Garner, McGoldrick. Unused: M Crowe, Connolly, Sears, Bru, Kenlock.

Sunderland: Steele, Jones, Oviedo (Gooch 56), Cattermole (c), Vaughan, McManaman (Honeyman 66), McGeady, Matthews, Koné, Gibson, Wilson (O’Shea 51). Unused: Ruiter, Ndong, Browning, Asoro. Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex). Att: 14,907 (Sunderland: 740).

Photo: TWTD

KiwiTractor added 10:15 - Sep 27 Get in! Well done lads, awesome result.
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midastouch added 11:11 - Sep 27 @ bobbyrobsonisgod Couldn't agree more. Sadly while Freddie gives his all and runs his socks off (nobody can fault his commitment) he's just not a natural winger and there are better options for that position. I would have Celina starting and Rowe (when fit) on the bench for that position ahead of Sears. Sears came here as a striker and really hit the ground running and looked such a snip for just 100k. Sadly (and through no fault of his own) he got asked to perform another role and then when he was eventually pushed back to play as striker he just couldn't find the net anywhere near as frequently like he once did for us. I feel sorry for him in that respect as it wasn't necessarily his fault. However, football is full of hard luck stories and loyalty often cuts thin given the pressure for results. Now DmG is fully fit and pulling up trees (3 cheers!) and we have Wags and Garner, Freddie has been forced down the pecking order. And with the form of the U23s he needs to be looking over his shoulder or he could become the next Bishop or Hyam. While it's not very nice for Freddie it's still good for the club to have all these other options waiting in the wings. I hope Freddie comes good for us again but with the way things are going he may need to be patient and be sure to make the most of the limited opportunities that come his way.

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TimmyH added 11:27 - Sep 27 Actually agree with your post (the reply) @currie10 - would be interesting to see where we stand this summer in expenditure on transfers?...yes certainly positives at this point but more questions to be answered. By the way 'the pop' was that directed at me?
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Ferguson added 11:38 - Sep 27 Didz and Bart Oustanding. Front two great. Goals from all parts of the team. And they look like a team. "The best team won but just wait 'til we get Mc Carthy back". This from a Macken. Heard on Ipswich station.
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jas0999 added 12:05 - Sep 27 Didn't post last night as needed a lie down to recover! Clearly an excellent result and performance. Frankly its all we the fans have been asking for for eighteen months ... entertainment. I'll never understand Micks approach for the past couple of years or the dire tactics against Bolton. If he is prepared to change then great. I don't expect anymore of that negative nonesence ... ever! It will I suspect take time for the stay away fans to forgive and further evidence that Mick has changed once and for all is needed. Great big step in right direction. Well done all.

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Reuserscurtains added 12:57 - Sep 27 Bluemachines aka keyboard warrior and probable loner - i have already enjoyed the win and since then have enjoyed proving people like you wrong again. Cheer up, Christmas is on the way and you'll be getting a bag of coal with this miserable attitude :)
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tempzzzz added 14:02 - Sep 27 Amazing game. What annoys me is the people complaining about moaners. The only thing I moaned about was the negative football. This was so much better than all other seasons, actual entertainment. The people, like me, that stayed away have forced Evans to make changes to spending money and lowering ticket prices, you're welcome. I gave Mick a chance for the first game and there was an improvement so I've gone to the games that I can go to, things have improved, I'm now happy to spend my money because I am being entertained. I'll never be a Mick fan because despite the improvement he still holds a grudge about the way he was, I think fairly, treated last season an he's arrogant and rude. However I'll put up with him if I'm watching games like last nights. Don't change the team, we like what we're seeing.

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prebsa added 15:55 - Sep 27 Unbelievable people like Reuserscurtains etc coming out and having a go at the so called "moaners" and "keyboard warriors". All anyone ever wants on here is whats best for Ipswich. People complained and the lack of attacking line ups, the poor football played and may other thongs and everyone just calls it a moan. Then come on here when we win and slate those people and not even say anything about the game. If you want what is best for the team comment on the match say what you thought about it and leave it at that!

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Gcon added 16:21 - Sep 27 So, that's it then - We're all friends, right?!... See you Saturday and we'll kiss and make up and cheer and encourage and win and drink and dance.
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coolcat added 16:38 - Sep 27 Had a good feeling before the game started we were going to win, especially after seeing our performance at Leeds. I predicted 4-2. Stunning performance. Well done Town!
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BluJu added 16:42 - Sep 27 (McGoldrick's substitution not listed in the Town line up list after the report)
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happybeingblue added 17:21 - Sep 27 nice to walk into work with a swagger because the pride is coming back again, everyone is entitled to an opinion that is what makes football a great game to talk about so why all the schoolboy bitching on here... i find it amusing tbh arent we all itfc after all
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NoelTheDub added 18:07 - Sep 27 kerbmeister.. Your some tulip Ive been a constant critic our our team and the way our club has been decimated in recent years and not like you I comment weather we win,lose or draw as I see it.Firstly a super result last night and was on cloud nine when Mick put out such an attacking team out.Im on record saying how happy Iam in particular with the proper signings of Garner and Waghorn two guys I said will get goals in this league and the mixture of youth and raw talent which Ialso said will make mistakes along the way.I have to also add Mick for some reason has decided to go for it and thats another great thing happening that wasnt there last season or more.Yes we will get good and bad days like last weekend but I was still happy enough with what I saw as it wasnt a bad performance.I do think having those 3 forwards, a bit of pacey youth,1 or 2 old heads is the way to go yes its long overdue but worth the moaning at the time looking forward to the next game for a change.

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Dissboyitfc added 19:16 - Sep 27 Gcon... if you just want to enjoy, then why is your opening sentence a dig at those who disagree with you?? One of the best games in years the best perhaps in MM's time here, but that says it all! We have wanted more entertainment instead of his constant Boring negativity. The fans who refuse to be sheep have been instrumental in the changes we are seeing!!
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blueboy1981 added 19:37 - Sep 27 ....... doesn't take much in the way of observation to realise that Kerbmeister tends to flow with the wind - last season had his fair share of opposite views to current trend ... !!! - enough said. Last night's performance, and result, is what we so called 'moaners' have proudly been campaigning for - nothing more, nothing less. Last night - true IPSWICH TOWN FC returned - as many of us knew it could. Great result one and all - let's keep the mojo rolling, and bring back the crowd.

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Seasider added 19:40 - Sep 27 Am I lost for words, not quite, although Micks zzz tactics seems to be lol. As some have said ,why have a go at each other when all are Ipswich Town supporters( I think ?). Think most of the moans over the last two years have been justified,and could have affected Micks attitude,although he would not admit it. However he has had the brickbats,and now he deserves the praise.I have marked most of the players 8,with Waggy and Didsy 9;and only 2 of the 3 subs on 7. This is because IT WAS A GREAT TEAM PERFORMANCE and the best seen at Portman for a long time. If Town can keep this up who knows ?

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Dissboyitfc added 19:57 - Sep 27 Blueboy...in total agreement with you, cant imagine why anyone would ld disagree!
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warktheline added 20:42 - Sep 27 Tell you something , there's no denying our boys played some good football! Buzzing me!
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Gcon added 21:27 - Sep 27 Yes, of course we all want nights like last night. It's just that some of us have kept the faith and other, more fickle folk, chose to turn on the manager and stop supporting the club. And now they claim they should be given all the credit because they 'campaigned' for more exciting football. Get outta here!....
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Dissboyitfc added 21:45 - Sep 27 are you really that blind? Do you think if we had sold 25000 season tickets and followed blindly and questioned nothing that we would be seeing the changes? Those that love the club enough to protest and complain have helped in no small way. The club and MM had no option but to improve the rubbish on show from last season!! FACT! A successful campaign from the moaners!

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dannyrr added 22:00 - Sep 27 I don't understand where MM thought the you're getting sacked in the morning was about him. This season is completely different to last season. One of the reasons is that Lawrence as good as he was did a lot of the work on his own and we are grateful for those goals but the front line didn't work as a unit they were individuals. You wouldn't bet money on us scoring 2 goals in a game. This season with the new additions from Rangers you can see that they work as a unit. MW was awesome and his work rate is tremendous. He won nearly every ball he went for and was always there. I complained when he got subbed but my son reminded me he'd need a rest for Saturday. Many players have improved including mad dog. Some of the passing was outstanding last night and where we would have allowed a struggling side to beat us last season we took it to them and produced an entertaining game. Exactly what was missing last season and I hope it continues to happen and we stay in the top end of the league especially after having been written off before a ball was kicked as being a favourite for relegation. I sincerely would like to see a canary get stuffed next month. COYB

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Gcon added 22:04 - Sep 27 Ooooohhh! Finally, I get it. It's not the players, the manager, the owner finally putting his hand in his pocket - It's Dissboy, and Blueboy and the handful of other old Boys that have been wanging on with their Mick Outs berating this club, hounding those of a more positive outlook off this site with their eternal misery and put-downs. It's they that want the credit for this turnaround! All hail theseTWDTs

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Dissboyitfc added 22:41 - Sep 27 Its took awhile but finally the penny has dropped and he can see what is obvious. Hallelujah!!!!!!
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bluesman added 22:48 - Sep 27 Another win for the conjurer of great squads from next to nothin! Magic Mick strikes again!
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TimmyH added 23:32 - Sep 27 @Gcon - let's be real here, I think you'll find it's a bit more than some people on the TWTD site when it came to 'moaning' or being disgruntled about the style of Ipswich's football under Mick over the last couple of seasons - crowds/season tickets are down, polls in local papers suggested it wasn't good enough entertainment wise and result wise (after last season) coupled with our worse finish in over 50 years have made the owner put his hand in his wallet for once and Mick possibly changing style in his last season (what's there to lose)? - Many people not just on this site have been asking for a non-negative style of football not just to set up trying to stop the opposition from playing. No body on this site is taking any credit, just wanted to see some more creative football and with Mick's astute signings of Waghorn, Garner, Celina and Adeyemi it looks like his intention to do just so. By the way the 'moaners' 'hounding' more positive people off the site is a classic!! - now you're going over the top.

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