Town boss Paul Jewell believes that earlier in the season his side would have lost their home game with Brighton once they had gone a goal behind. However, the Blues have been a different proposition in recent weeks with two stunning Michael Chopra strikes and a header from Ibrahima Sonko securing another three points.

Jewell said: “We played well. I think it was a good football match, both teams tried to pass the ball.

“We went a goal down after probably dominating the first half and, having had plenty of chances and opportunities, we would definitely have lost that earlier in the season.

“But there’s a bit of resilience and belief about the team and the club at the moment and hopefully we can go further.”

The Blues boss felt Chopra was unfortunate not to score with his volley in the first half: “I think you have to say that it was a fantastic save. It was a great cross, great technique but it was a brilliant save from the goalkeeper.

“That’s the third time in three games that the opposition keeper has made a great save from Chops, so you start wondering whether it was going to be his day.”

The Liverpudlian was delighted with the summer signing from Cardiff’s display and said he has deserved his goals: “One I think hit the post and has gone in and the way things have been going for him things have been hitting the post and going out.

“He was terrific. He doesn’t hide. The whole club and all the players you could see were really pleased for him because it’s been a long time since he’s scored, but he’s still contributed to the team.

“He’s a clever player. He’s got a great touch, good awareness about him and hopefully he can now go on a bit of goalscoring run.”

Jewell says he thought his side could have been more ruthless in the first half: “At half-time I was a bit annoyed. We weren’t clinical. We had good opportunities but we didn’t make the keeper make enough saves for all the possession and shots we had. In the second half we probably had fewer chances and scored three goals.”

Jewell admits to being slightly concerned when his side went behind and felt the crowd played their part: “When you go a goal down in the second half you start to fear the worst, but the crowd definitely lifted the players and the players responded.

“The fans can see that the team’s trying and is playing well and I think today we deserved the win.

“But give Brighton credit, they’re not an easy team to play against, they frustrate you, they keep the ball and I think at times in the first half the players were glad of the rest when their goalie had the ball because it was so hot out there.

“I’d rather not go a goal behind but in two out of the last three home games we’ve shown character coming from a goal behind to win games.”

Jewell was pleased with Sonko’s goal but feels he ought to have scored before: “He should have three by now! He missed one at Blackpool and he missed one at Middlesbrough.

“Set plays are very important, we work hard on them. They can win you games but they can also cost you games. It’s always nice when they go your way.”

Brighton boss Gus Poyet admitted his side were inferior to the Blues: “I think for the standards that we’re trying to achieve we were second best.

“I said before to colleagues that I didn’t think we were strong enough physically, mentally, technically, on 50-50s, not strong enough mentally when we conceded the first goal. And when you’re second best you’ve got no chance.

“Saying that, we started well in the second half, it was a bit more open and we were braver on the ball which we weren’t in the first half - we were too content with the scoreline at 0-0. But then you need to hold that and you need to be strong, but at the moment, we are not.”

Poyet confirmed that, as reported earlier, his assistant and former Blue Mauricio Taricco has hung up his boots: “He’s not playing any more, it’s bad news for football. He’s retired.

“At the moment he can’t cope with 90 minutes every game and I cannot keep changing at the back every three games because Tano plays or otherwise.

“It was his decision, I’m not pushing. If you give me the option, of course I would push him to train and play five reserve games, go crazy and make sure he’s unbelievable. But he’s 38, nearly 39, and you need to respect age as well.”

Photo: Action Images

CraigForrestGateau added 20:24 - Oct 1 Paz uses daz, much obliged!
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stoofer added 21:00 - Oct 1 what a great week for results for the town,just a quick note on our centre backs, 1. dont remember delaney and mcaughly looking this good. 2. dont remember (so long ago) us being a real threat from set peices as we are now, great team effort this week,looks like the blues are right behind pj, there is a spirit about the boys not seen at portman road for quite some time, sorry to go on but please thats not hear about part time supporters coming back to p r we need as many blues roaring on the team as possible, huge noise today.

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alfromcol added 21:05 - Oct 1 Could be a near full house for the Palace game with knock-down admission prices.
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jas0999 added 21:10 - Oct 1 Very good performance - who would have thought - winning football matches when playing attacking football and a 4-4-2!!! Long may this continue. Great stuff!
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martleshamitfc added 21:24 - Oct 1 Really enjoyed the game today, we were so much better than Brighton and look solid throughout, it's along time since we have looked like a "team" with some quality players. Really impressed with the defence, such a shame we now have to endure another international break!!
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Lathers added 21:25 - Oct 1 Whisper it.... but I think ITFC are finally back in the Championship race.... (and I'm loving it!)
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poggie added 22:34 - Oct 1 Nice to see how they played as a team. Wow ... I've missed this. Shall go to bed happy tonight. Well done lads!!
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michaeldownunder added 22:40 - Oct 1 Great win shows what can be done when the team ( and the crowd ) are confident of victory even when going a goal down
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Garv added 23:12 - Oct 1 2nd in the form table.
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alex12345 added 01:09 - Oct 2 Sorry "ncharles" but seriously, Etherington? Are you a genuine town fan because to me Ellington and Etherington aren't even close. On a brighter note what a top performance we put in today, a real gutsy display and the players look like they're coming together now. I feel we have a strong team on and off the field now and we could be real contenders this year (touchwood). Lets just keep as injury free as possible and keep going. COYB

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ITFC1978 added 05:39 - Oct 2 As predicted, 3-1 to the town. Coyb closing in on the top, not far to go now, Also pmason is back to fill all our lives with joy. Nosamp!!!!!!!!!!!
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brogansnose added 07:07 - Oct 2 PJ is right we would have been beaten earlier on in the season, however, not afraid of anyone now.
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bobble added 07:25 - Oct 2 blueskysss nothing but blueskyss
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irishtim added 07:41 - Oct 2 great result thanks lads smiles on our faces at last
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DiamondGezzer added 07:45 - Oct 2 To all the Town fans who, season after season and through thick and thin, follow the team, don't days like yesterday taste great ! A great big thankyou to ALL at ITFC for the reminder of why we do it.
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tractorboynathan added 09:22 - Oct 2 Great win town! Defence looks much better now, and everyone wants to get on the score sheet. Most pleasing thing is the team spirit, we have such a great team spirit! Cardiff away next, great record against Cardiff and with chopraaaa looking for more I'm expecting a 3 nil with a chopraaaa hatrick!;)
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IvorFeeling added 11:45 - Oct 2 For 83 minutes we were superb even when we went 1 down. Yes they had the ball at the back but lost it as soon as they went forward and their goal was only the 2nd shot they had after 55 mins. The crowd and the players sensed that we could still get a result and was nothing short of what we deserved. Our formation was great in defence and attack and the atmosphere was superb. This is the best I have felt for a good 6-7 years. As I stated on Friday I knew we would get a result and winning in that manner and picking up some readies was perfect! We tired in the last 10 mins and Super Sonko was out on his feet at the end. I think the break will do us good. Moot point but can anyone tell me why we had 6 mins of added time, I am still scratching my head on that one!

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IvorFeeling added 11:49 - Oct 2 Tractorboynathan - you are spot on. The spirit is there with the players and this has now been replicated in the terraces - long may it continue.
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Garv added 13:02 - Oct 2 IvorFeeling - six minutes added on will probably be due to all the subs. I believe there were six, 30 seconds each. Then there's goal celebrations - the bundles usually take a long time (Jimmy instigated I reckon), plus obvious general stoppages. In fairness like Steve Foley said after the game if you took a stopwatch and counted every second the ball wasn't in play, you would probably get 15-20 minutes added on!

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TractorBeezer added 14:33 - Oct 2 It's been a long time since I have seen so many positive reports. I bet that the entire mood and morale around town has picked up too. Just wish that I could see more games. Think we have to wait for Barnsley for the next one on telly. Meanwhile I did spot this. Great goals...well done Chops and Sonko... and no one will stop Sonko! http://rutube.ru/tracks/4869735.html?v=e9420735766c2f9fb29b18ffe8b2119a

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IvorFeeling added 16:10 - Oct 2 Garv - think you right when put it that way. Love the bundles, be tempted if I was on the lower tier to get involved myself. Lol
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choprawontcome added 22:43 - Oct 2 another great result blue boys,whilst i was watching man utd beat naaaaridge :)))) i will be back next home game for sure, A perfect day allround :)
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ooaahpennyfather added 13:05 - Oct 3 Agree with most posts here.... a bit late to post but would like to say that my optimism is returning. What a great game and result! IMO the squad now looks the best on paper that we've had for many years.... PJ needs to work hard on making all loans permanent where possible.
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