Holt's first ever League hat-trick came in front of another record - Carrow Road's largest all-seater attendance of 26,532. Mark Burchett and John Maiden report on the 4-1 victory that ended a run of four consecutive draws for Norwich and in no way flattered Paul Lambert's men.
The Canaries just about deserved to be ahead at half-time with first Holt putting the home side in the driving seat in the 14th minute, with Damien Delaney getting the Blues back into it in the 29th minute, before Holt's glorious second gave City a 2-1 lead. The biggest talk-point of the half though was Delaney's sending off for pulling back man-of-the-match Holt, for although level with his defenders, he was the last man giving referee Keith Hill no option but to produce the red card.
After the break City looked comfortable in possession without hurting ten-man town. That all changed with the 63rd minute introduction of Wes Hoolahan for the tiring Surman, who gave the home side a creative edge.
Less than two minutes after Holt's 76th minute shot effectively sealed the three points, Hoolahan then exquisitely put the icing on the cake chipping the ball over the keeper from a very tight angle.
Surprisingly, emergency loan-signing Henri Lansbury who only arrived this week from Arsenal, had come straight into Paul Lambert's starting line-up. Despite watching the game from the directors box, as he served the first of his two-match touchline ban, Lambert will have enjoyed the role and impact that Lansbury had.
Roy Keane made three changes to the side that lost at Hull last week, with Tamas Priskin, Marton Fulop and Gianna Zuiverloon starting.
In the 13th minute Grant Holt robbed Darren O'Dea as he attempted to clear Simon Lappin's lofted through ball. He then ran on to beat Marton Fulop low to his left with a carefully placed right foot shot from some 14 yards.
The visitors looked decidedly shaky in defence, but equalised fifteen minutes later when Priskin headed Leadbitter's free kick from the left to Delaney at the near post and his close-range header gave John Ruddy no chance.
Holt put Norwich in front for the second time in the 35th minute when he timed his run perfectly to get on the end of Henri Lansbury's low through ball. His cool right foot finish from seventeen yards slid under the Ipswich Keeper's boots as he spread himself in a desperate attempt to block the shot.
With the score at 2-1 Grant Holt's run on goal was stopped by Delaney's foul and referee Keith Hill had no hesitation in producing a red card.
HALF-TIME: City 2 Town 1
The home fans had to be patient in the second half as neither side seemed to be willing to go in search of further goals. However, they were eventually rewarded with two goals in as many minutes.
Chris Martin set up Holt in the 76th minute to complete his hat-trick with another low right foot shot that beat the keeper to his left. Then Chris Martin played in substitute Wes Hoolahan on his left and the Irishman's clever left foot chip from the corner of the six-yard box sailed over Fulop and into the far corner of the net as the keeper spread himself in a desperate attempt to narrow the angle.
The BBC TV pundits may have argued long and hard about the fairness of the red card shown to Delaney, but there can be little doubt that the referee was justified in deciding Holt had been denied a goal-scoring opportunity. In fact, Norwich should have been awarded a first-half penalty when Chris Martin had his legs taken from under him by Zuiverloon.
Substitute Simeon Jackson was also denied a penalty when he went down in added time under a challenge from Carlos Edwards. To add insult to injury, Mr Hill booked Jackson for an alleged dive.
Fortunately, by that stage of the game, the Canaries had done far more than notch up a memorable victory over their local rivals. They had also overcome the jinx of live television coverage and set themselves up very nicely for the away game against Derby County next Saturday.
FULL-TIME: City 4 Town 1