The best pictures from Ipswich Town’s 5-2 win over Sunderland

Grant Ward scores Ipswich's fifth against Sunderland. Picture: PAGEPIX LTD (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

Mick McCarthy’s men crushed the struggling Black Cats in a scintillating showing at Portman Road which got fans feeling that the good times could really be on the way back.

Bersant Celina celebrates scoring against Sunderland. Picture PAGEPIX LTD (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

Martyn Waghorn was the star of the show with a goal and three assists against his old team, while Jordan Spence, Bersant Celina, David McGoldrick and Grant Ward also got on the scoresheet.

Jordan Spence celebrates his goal with Martyn Waghorn. Picture: PAGEPIX LTD (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

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Martyn Waghorn, Bersant Celina and Dominic Iorfa celebrate during Tuesday night's 5-2 home win over Sunderland. The Blues had five different goalscorers in a swashbuckling display. Photo: Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

Afterwards, Mick McCarthy said: “I don’t know what happened! We don’t score five do we? We don’t play that way. I really enjoyed it.”

Jordan Spence celebrates his goal against Sunderland Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

He continued: “If that doesn’t enthuse the fans I don’t know what will.

Bersant Celina celebrates scoring against Sunderland Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

“I’ve always tried to create an attacking team. I won the league at Sunderland with 4-4-2. We scored a lot of goals when I was at Wolves too. I got in the play-offs here.

David McGoldrick celebrates his goal against Sunderland. He's netted three in three now. Photo: Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

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Bersant Celina and the rest of the Town team celebrate scoring against Sunderland. Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

“I’ve always tried to do it, but sometimes had to play with a means to an end. Now we’ve got a few more attacking players and different options.

Grant Ward gets a hug from David McGoldrick after scoring Ipswich Town's fifth against Sunderland on Tuesday night. It took the Blues until December 13 to net their current tally of 19 league goals last season. Photo: PAGEPIX LTD (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

“I thought they would play the likes of (Aiden) McGeady, (James) Vaughan and (Callum) McManaman and I just thought that Garner, Bersant, McGoldrick and Waghorn were be better than whatever front four they put out. Thankfully that’s how it turned out.

- Our Town player ratings from the Sunderland win

“You’ve got to have that security too and I thought (Cole) Skuesy was terrific and Tom Adeyemi too. It was a really good performance.

“We could have had more. They blocked one on the line and the keeper has made saves. It was an outstanding attacking performance.

“It won’t work every week, but it’s nice it worked tonight.”

- Fans react to Town’s big win