Ipswich 4 Coventry 1 - 22/09/2007
Ipswich 4 Coventry 1 - 22/09/2007
Ipswich Town: Neil Alexander, Alex Bruce (Chris Casement 78), Daniel Harding, Jason De Vos, David Wright, Tommy Miller, Owen Garvan, Gary Roberts (Jaime Peters 74), Pablo Gonzalez Counago (Billy Clarke 88), Jonathan Walters, Alan Lee,
Subs not used: Sylvain Legwinski, Shane Supple
Booked: Owen Garvan 34
Goals: Jason De Vos 10, Pablo Gonzalez Counago 24,57, Jonathan Walters 40
Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Marcus Hall, Arjan De Zeeuw, Gary Borrowdale, Stephen Hughes, Jay Tabb (Kevin Thornton 78), Isaac Osbourne, Michael Doyle, Ellery Cairo (Robbie Simpson 83), Leon Best, Dele Adebola (Michael Mifsud 56),
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward
Booked: Ellery Cairo 72, Leon Best 48
Goals: Stephen Hughes 69
Attendance: 18840
Referee: T Kettle
Teamtalk
Jim Magilton earned the bragging rights over his close friend Iain Dowie as Ipswich ran riot at Portman Road in beating Coventry 4-1.
Magilton and Dowie have remained good friends after their playing days together for Northern Ireland but goals from Jonathan Walters, Jason De Vos and a double from Pablo Counago made this a one-sided affair.
The deadlock was broken after nine minutes when Town defender De Vos rose to head in an Owen Garvan free-kick.
The big centre-half climbed above Sky Blues captain Arjan De Zeeuw at the far post to head in from three yards out.
However, the goal came somewhat against the run of play with Coventry, and Dele Adebola in particular, showing the early impetus.
Leon Best should have done better in the 14th minute with a header that failed to trouble Ipswich goalkeeper Neil Alexander.
In-form striker Alan Lee almost doubled the home side's lead in the 18th minute but his volley was comfortably saved by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.
Town fans did not have to wait long for a second though, in fact there was just 24 minutes on the clock when Counago put the home side 2-0 up.
The Spaniard showed excellent composure to beat two City defenders before sliding past Konstantopoulos.
Coventry seemed to be riding their luck going into half-time when Stephen Hughes blocked a goalbound Dan Harding shot on the line.
The miss only spurred Town on and they did make it three a minute later, Walters finding himself unmarked inside the box to head in Gary Roberts' cross.
Dowie decided against making any changes at half-time as his side attempted to reduce the home sides commanding lead.
And they seemed intent on paying back their manager's confidence as they came out after the break revitalised.
A minute after the restart they could have been right back into the match if referee Trevor Kettle had deemed Alex Bruce's challenge on Adebola a penalty.
The City striker appeared to be tripped as Bruce scrambled back to try to atone for an error, but Kettle was unmoved.
The home side then rubbed salt into the wound 10 minutes later by scoring a fourth and putting the match out of Coventry's reach.
The Sky Blues defence again looked at sea as a cross from Garvan caused panic and Counago headed into an empty net after Konstantopoulos had saved from Lee.
This was the 28-year-old's fifth goal in four games against Coventry and his third of the season.
Stephen Hughes scored a consolation for the city with a superb free-kick in the 69th minute, but it wasn't enough as City were condemned to their first away defeat of the season.
CCFC
The Sky Blues suffered their first away of the season in heavy fashion against a clinical Ipswich side at Portman Road.
Stephen Hughes' first goal in nearly a year was scant consolation for Iain Dowie's men as first-half goals from Jason De Vos, Pablo Counago and Jonathan Walters put the Tractor Boys firmly in control before Counago put the result beyond doubt after the break.
Ipswich skipper Jason De Vos smashed open the deadlock in the 10th minute when he planted a downward header beyond Dimi Konstantopoulos after giving Arjan De Zeeuw the slip at the back-post.
Leon Best, one of two changes to the side which drew 1-1 at Crystal Palace in midweek along with right-back Isaac Osbourne, offered City's response as he headed over from a Gary Borrowdale cross.
But the home side could have extended their advantage in the 18th minute when Konstantopoulos beat away a powerful volley from striker Alan Lee.
Best then fired wide from 25-yards before winger Ellery Cairo followed suit after cutting inside from the right.
Pablo Counago fires home Ipswich's second goal
However, poor defending allowed Counago the time and space to fire home a second goal in the 24th minute - the Spaniard latching onto Walters' knockdown and twisting away from Hughes before slotting the ball into the net with his right-foot.
City were then indebted to Hughes as he hacked a 30-yard Daniel Harding pile-driver off the line, but Walters ensured a frosty reception from boss Dowie for City at half-time when he thumped Gary Roberts' left-wing cross into bottom corner with a header via the desperate hand of Konstantopoulos.
Gary Borrowdale and Jonathan Walters battle for the ball in the air
The lively Best almost pulled a goal back when his shot deflected just wide in first-half stoppage time.
And luck deserted the visitors again shortly after the break when referee Trevor Kettle waved play-on after Dele Adebola appeared to be pulled down by Alex Bruce after racing onto a weak back-pass from the defender.
Jay Tabb then sent a fierce long-range shot narrowly wide of the target before more disappointing defending put the game beyond City in the 57th minute.
A teasing cross from Owen Garvan was headed goalwards by Lee at the back-post and forced Konstantopoulos into a superb save but Counago was left unmarked to head home from the rebound.
But the Sky Blues continued to press forward in hope of unlikely fight-back and a moment of magic from Stephen Hughes offered them a glimmer of hope twelve minutes later.
The midfielder left Ipswich 'keeper Neil Alexander with no chance as he slammed a magnificent free-kick from 30-yards into the top corner for his first goal in more than eleven months.
Konstantopoulos then produced a good stop to deny a header from Lee, while at the other end, substitute Michael Mifsud dragged an effort wide.
Best almost pulled another goal back at the death, but headed a Robbie Simpson cross over.
4thegame
Ipswich proved to be Coventry's bogey team once again as they made it 15 games unbeaten against the Sky Blues, dating back to 1994, in handing the visitors their first away defeat of the season.
Town ended their own two-game losing streak and made it seven straight wins at home stretching back to last season in a dazzling display of attacking football.
Spanish striker Pablo Counago, back for a second spell at Portman Road, netted twice while skipper Jason De Vos and Jon Walters were also on target while Coventry at least had the consolation of scoring the goal of the game through Stephen Hughes' screamer.
Coventry actually had the better of the opening exchanges, but it was Ipswich who went ahead on ten minutes when Owen Garvan floated a free-kick to the far post and De Vos beat Dimi Konstantopoulos with a downward header.
The lively Leon Best had an effort blocked by both Alex Bruce and Dan Harding before heading over when well-placed to meet a Jay Tabb cross.
Konstantopoulos parried away an Alan Lee volley before Ipswich doubled their lead on 24 minutes when Walters headed back Harding's deep cross and Counago squirmed away from two defenders before prodding beyond the Greek keeper.
Tommy Miller drew a decent save from Konstantopoulos with a firm low drive before Town netted again on 40 minutes, moments after Harding's fierce 25-yarder was hacked off the line by Hughes.
Coventry couldn't clear their lines though from the ensuing Garvan corner, and when Gary Roberts whipped the ball back in, Walters beat Konstantopoulos with a firm downward header.
Town could have scored a fourth before the break, Lee playing in Walters at the end of a sweeping move which began on the edge of their own box, but Konstantopoulos made a fine save with his outstretched right leg.
There was controversy seconds after the break when Bruce and Neil Alexander were involved in a mix-up and Dele Adebola nipped in only to shoot wide, with replays showing Bruce grabbed at his legs and could easily have conceded a penalty and been sent off.
That could have put a different complexion on the match, but Ipswich sealed the points on 57 minutes when another dangerous Garvan cross was glanced on by Walters to Lee whose firm header was well saved by Konstantopoulos but dropped perfectly for Counago to net from close range with his head.
Counago was denied a hat-trick by a good save from Konstantopoulos, and the visiting keeper also saved well from a firm Lee header after Walters crossed from the right.
Coventry netted a consolation with a fierce 30-yard free-kick from Hughes and with Ipswich 4-0 up the home fans were even able to appreciate it and applauded warmly.
The game petered out after that with Ipswich soaring up the table from 19th at start of play to 10th, with a game in hand on many of those above them, including Coventry, who could have gone second but are now eighth after a second three-goal defeat in a week.
Ipswich Town: Neil Alexander, Alex Bruce (Chris Casement 78), Daniel Harding, Jason De Vos, David Wright, Tommy Miller, Owen Garvan, Gary Roberts (Jaime Peters 74), Pablo Gonzalez Counago (Billy Clarke 88), Jonathan Walters, Alan Lee,
Subs not used: Sylvain Legwinski, Shane Supple
Booked: Owen Garvan 34
Goals: Jason De Vos 10, Pablo Gonzalez Counago 24,57, Jonathan Walters 40
Coventry City: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Marcus Hall, Arjan De Zeeuw, Gary Borrowdale, Stephen Hughes, Jay Tabb (Kevin Thornton 78), Isaac Osbourne, Michael Doyle, Ellery Cairo (Robbie Simpson 83), Leon Best, Dele Adebola (Michael Mifsud 56),
Subs not used: Andy Marshall, Elliott Ward
Booked: Ellery Cairo 72, Leon Best 48
Goals: Stephen Hughes 69
Attendance: 18840
Referee: T Kettle
Teamtalk
Jim Magilton earned the bragging rights over his close friend Iain Dowie as Ipswich ran riot at Portman Road in beating Coventry 4-1.
Magilton and Dowie have remained good friends after their playing days together for Northern Ireland but goals from Jonathan Walters, Jason De Vos and a double from Pablo Counago made this a one-sided affair.
The deadlock was broken after nine minutes when Town defender De Vos rose to head in an Owen Garvan free-kick.
The big centre-half climbed above Sky Blues captain Arjan De Zeeuw at the far post to head in from three yards out.
However, the goal came somewhat against the run of play with Coventry, and Dele Adebola in particular, showing the early impetus.
Leon Best should have done better in the 14th minute with a header that failed to trouble Ipswich goalkeeper Neil Alexander.
In-form striker Alan Lee almost doubled the home side's lead in the 18th minute but his volley was comfortably saved by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.
Town fans did not have to wait long for a second though, in fact there was just 24 minutes on the clock when Counago put the home side 2-0 up.
The Spaniard showed excellent composure to beat two City defenders before sliding past Konstantopoulos.
Coventry seemed to be riding their luck going into half-time when Stephen Hughes blocked a goalbound Dan Harding shot on the line.
The miss only spurred Town on and they did make it three a minute later, Walters finding himself unmarked inside the box to head in Gary Roberts' cross.
Dowie decided against making any changes at half-time as his side attempted to reduce the home sides commanding lead.
And they seemed intent on paying back their manager's confidence as they came out after the break revitalised.
A minute after the restart they could have been right back into the match if referee Trevor Kettle had deemed Alex Bruce's challenge on Adebola a penalty.
The City striker appeared to be tripped as Bruce scrambled back to try to atone for an error, but Kettle was unmoved.
The home side then rubbed salt into the wound 10 minutes later by scoring a fourth and putting the match out of Coventry's reach.
The Sky Blues defence again looked at sea as a cross from Garvan caused panic and Counago headed into an empty net after Konstantopoulos had saved from Lee.
This was the 28-year-old's fifth goal in four games against Coventry and his third of the season.
Stephen Hughes scored a consolation for the city with a superb free-kick in the 69th minute, but it wasn't enough as City were condemned to their first away defeat of the season.
CCFC
The Sky Blues suffered their first away of the season in heavy fashion against a clinical Ipswich side at Portman Road.
Stephen Hughes' first goal in nearly a year was scant consolation for Iain Dowie's men as first-half goals from Jason De Vos, Pablo Counago and Jonathan Walters put the Tractor Boys firmly in control before Counago put the result beyond doubt after the break.
Ipswich skipper Jason De Vos smashed open the deadlock in the 10th minute when he planted a downward header beyond Dimi Konstantopoulos after giving Arjan De Zeeuw the slip at the back-post.
Leon Best, one of two changes to the side which drew 1-1 at Crystal Palace in midweek along with right-back Isaac Osbourne, offered City's response as he headed over from a Gary Borrowdale cross.
But the home side could have extended their advantage in the 18th minute when Konstantopoulos beat away a powerful volley from striker Alan Lee.
Best then fired wide from 25-yards before winger Ellery Cairo followed suit after cutting inside from the right.
Pablo Counago fires home Ipswich's second goal
However, poor defending allowed Counago the time and space to fire home a second goal in the 24th minute - the Spaniard latching onto Walters' knockdown and twisting away from Hughes before slotting the ball into the net with his right-foot.
City were then indebted to Hughes as he hacked a 30-yard Daniel Harding pile-driver off the line, but Walters ensured a frosty reception from boss Dowie for City at half-time when he thumped Gary Roberts' left-wing cross into bottom corner with a header via the desperate hand of Konstantopoulos.
Gary Borrowdale and Jonathan Walters battle for the ball in the air
The lively Best almost pulled a goal back when his shot deflected just wide in first-half stoppage time.
And luck deserted the visitors again shortly after the break when referee Trevor Kettle waved play-on after Dele Adebola appeared to be pulled down by Alex Bruce after racing onto a weak back-pass from the defender.
Jay Tabb then sent a fierce long-range shot narrowly wide of the target before more disappointing defending put the game beyond City in the 57th minute.
A teasing cross from Owen Garvan was headed goalwards by Lee at the back-post and forced Konstantopoulos into a superb save but Counago was left unmarked to head home from the rebound.
But the Sky Blues continued to press forward in hope of unlikely fight-back and a moment of magic from Stephen Hughes offered them a glimmer of hope twelve minutes later.
The midfielder left Ipswich 'keeper Neil Alexander with no chance as he slammed a magnificent free-kick from 30-yards into the top corner for his first goal in more than eleven months.
Konstantopoulos then produced a good stop to deny a header from Lee, while at the other end, substitute Michael Mifsud dragged an effort wide.
Best almost pulled another goal back at the death, but headed a Robbie Simpson cross over.
4thegame
Ipswich proved to be Coventry's bogey team once again as they made it 15 games unbeaten against the Sky Blues, dating back to 1994, in handing the visitors their first away defeat of the season.
Town ended their own two-game losing streak and made it seven straight wins at home stretching back to last season in a dazzling display of attacking football.
Spanish striker Pablo Counago, back for a second spell at Portman Road, netted twice while skipper Jason De Vos and Jon Walters were also on target while Coventry at least had the consolation of scoring the goal of the game through Stephen Hughes' screamer.
Coventry actually had the better of the opening exchanges, but it was Ipswich who went ahead on ten minutes when Owen Garvan floated a free-kick to the far post and De Vos beat Dimi Konstantopoulos with a downward header.
The lively Leon Best had an effort blocked by both Alex Bruce and Dan Harding before heading over when well-placed to meet a Jay Tabb cross.
Konstantopoulos parried away an Alan Lee volley before Ipswich doubled their lead on 24 minutes when Walters headed back Harding's deep cross and Counago squirmed away from two defenders before prodding beyond the Greek keeper.
Tommy Miller drew a decent save from Konstantopoulos with a firm low drive before Town netted again on 40 minutes, moments after Harding's fierce 25-yarder was hacked off the line by Hughes.
Coventry couldn't clear their lines though from the ensuing Garvan corner, and when Gary Roberts whipped the ball back in, Walters beat Konstantopoulos with a firm downward header.
Town could have scored a fourth before the break, Lee playing in Walters at the end of a sweeping move which began on the edge of their own box, but Konstantopoulos made a fine save with his outstretched right leg.
There was controversy seconds after the break when Bruce and Neil Alexander were involved in a mix-up and Dele Adebola nipped in only to shoot wide, with replays showing Bruce grabbed at his legs and could easily have conceded a penalty and been sent off.
That could have put a different complexion on the match, but Ipswich sealed the points on 57 minutes when another dangerous Garvan cross was glanced on by Walters to Lee whose firm header was well saved by Konstantopoulos but dropped perfectly for Counago to net from close range with his head.
Counago was denied a hat-trick by a good save from Konstantopoulos, and the visiting keeper also saved well from a firm Lee header after Walters crossed from the right.
Coventry netted a consolation with a fierce 30-yard free-kick from Hughes and with Ipswich 4-0 up the home fans were even able to appreciate it and applauded warmly.
The game petered out after that with Ipswich soaring up the table from 19th at start of play to 10th, with a game in hand on many of those above them, including Coventry, who could have gone second but are now eighth after a second three-goal defeat in a week.
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 10:20 pm
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