Town climbed to the top of the Championship table as second-half goals from Freddie Sears and David McGoldrick saw the Blues to a 2-0 victory over Burnley at Portman Road. After an even first half, Sears steered home a Brett Pitman cross in the 66th minute and McGoldrick nodded in the second from an Ainsley Maitland-Niles corner five minutes later.

Boss Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side with Sears, who signed a new contract earlier today, and Daryl Murphy the strikers again getting the nod with McGoldrick and Pitman on the bench.

Town started brightly, Maitland-Niles sending Sears away down the right in the opening minute but Clarets’ keeper and skipper Tom Heaton grabbed the ball ahead of Murphy.

On three, Sears lost his footing on the very wet surface - it had been raining for much of the day - and inadvertently clattered into Ben Mee, who required lengthy treatment before continuing.

Immediately play resumed, Michael Kightly, who played for Blues boss McCarthy at Wolves, cut in from the left past Town skipper Chambers. The former Grays Athletic man’s first effort struck team-mate Jelle Vossen who couldn’t control, but the ball bounced back to the winger and he hit a shot across Bartosz Bialkowski, off the far post and into the grateful Blues keeper’s arms.

In the 13th minute Chambers brought the ball into the Burnley area on the right after good work from Murphy and Maitland-Niles and hit a shot which deflected across the face of goal and wide.

From the corner, the ball deflected towards Christophe Berra but the centre-half was unable to direct it goalwards.

A minute later, Cole Skuse shot over from 25 yards, then Maitland-Niles screwed an effort well wide from a similar distance.

The Blues were starting to look the more threatening side and on 17 Murphy turned Ryan Fraser’s left-wing cross over the bar from midway inside the area.

One-time Town target George Boyd volleyed over in the 28th minute before Fraser was replaced by David McGoldrick, the Scottish U21 international having suffered a jarred knee a few minutes earlier. Murphy moved to the left.

On 32 Sears profited from a loose Tendayi Darikwa pass midway inside the Burnley half, the ex-Colchester man bringing the ball forward before hitting a low drive straight at Heaton.

The visitors came close to going in front in the 40th minute when Kightly ran at the Town defence to the right of centre and fed Vossen, one of two Burnley players to his left in space on the edge of the box, but the Belgian’s shot was batted away by Bialkowski.

In the final scheduled minute of the half, David Jones, another of McCarthy’s Wolves squad, curled a freekick not far over the bar from the right.

The game remained goalless at the whistle and the level scoreline was a fair reflection of the half as a whole.

Burnley had come closest to scoring when the dangerous Kightly hit the post and with Vossen’s late strike but the Blues had had more half-chances in what had been an evenly-balanced first period.

The biggest disappointment for Town was losing Fraser, amongst the best performers in the Blues’ three previous games, to injury, however, McGoldrick had already started to show glimpses of his skills.

Pitman replaced Murphy at the restart, the former Bournemouth man joining McGoldrick up front with Sears moving to the left.

On 48 Smith completely mistimed his header from Maitland-Niles’s corner from the left, the ball flying well wide.

Ten minutes after the restart, the Clarets switched Vossen for new signing Rouwen Hennings, who was making his debut having received international clearance.

McGoldrick headed Maitland-Niles’s right-wing cross over in the 57th minute with the Portman Road crowd starting to ramp up the noise.

Chances had been rare in the second half but in the 66th minute the Blues went in front. Maitland-Niles played in Pitman on the right and the half-time sub sent over a low ball which Sears deftly stroked across the keeper and into the corner of the net.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0. McGoldrick rose highest to nod home Maitland-Niles’s corner from the right to grab his first goal since the 3-0 win against Charlton on December 30th last year.

Town were looking more likely to add a third than Burnley were to pull one back, Maitland-Niles winning an 81st minute corner. In the aftermath Douglas muscled his way into the area on the right and hit a shot across goal which wasn’t far away from Heaton’s post.

Maitland-Niles made way to rapturous applause in the 84th minute with Giles Coke taking over as the Blues looked to see out the final minutes.

Darikwa hit a shot which deflected across the face of the Town goal in the 88th minute as the visitors looked to get back into the game.

And from Kightly’s corner they came very close, Bialkowski reacting superbly to keep out Michael Keane’s virtually point-blank header.

In injury time, Kightly was booked for the latest in a succession of transgressions with Chambers having been the most recent man fouled.

The Blues saw the final moments out with none of the drama of the Brentford or Sheffield Wednesday games, Town having most of the ball and the visitors looking very much a beaten side.

After an even first half, the Blues were on top throughout the second half and the three points never looked in any serious danger once the again excellent Sears had steered home the opener.

McGoldrick’s first of the season cemented their lead and Burnley only rarely threatened, Bialkowski making only one real save, his excellent stop from Keane’s header.

It was a battling performance from Town - who kept a clean sheet for the first time since the 1-0 win at Watford in March - more like many of last season’s victories than the swashbuckling wing-based displays against the Bees and Wednesday, the Blues eventually getting on top of a game very similar to the home match against the Clarets during their promotion season.

The win takes Town to the top of the table - albeit on goal difference from Brighton - for the first time since Boxing Day last year - when they briefly climbed to the summit after the lunchtime win at Brentford - with their home campaign having got off to the best possible start with two victories in four days, the latest a confidence boosting win against a much-fancied, former Premier League side. The Blues are next in action away at Preston on Saturday.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Smith, Berra, Skuse, Douglas, Maitland-Niles (Coke 84), Fraser (McGoldrick 28), Sears, Murphy (Pitman 46). Unused: Gerken, Tabb, Emmanuel, Touré.

Burnley: Heaton (c), Duff, Darikwa, Keane, Mee, Arfield, Jones (Taylor 77), Boyd, Kightly, Vossen (Hennings 55), Vokes (Jutkiewicz 66). Unused: Gilks, Sordell, Ward, Anderson. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Att: 18,353 (Burnley: 470)

Photo: Action Images

PJH added 22:51 - Aug 18 Very good team performance,think we have found another very good left back in Knudsen. AMN looks like a star in the making. Bart has looked good for last game and a half,hopefully he can continue like that. Didz,as usual,looked class. Skuse,also as usual,put in another very good performance. Smith very solid. Lets build on this on Saturday. COYB
9

runaround added 22:57 - Aug 18 We are top of the league! I know it's only after 3 games but let's enjoy it while we can! A quite even match against a very good Burnley side but we matched them and I think deserved it in the end. Skuse & Douglas magnificent, Sears superb & Bart solid in goal. Hope Fraser is okay. Early days I know but we really look a serious contender & are still looking to strengthen

6

buntITFC added 22:57 - Aug 18 Another 3 points which is the most important thing. A scrappy old game and possibly one that we may have only have got a point from during last season. Shows that th team is always improving. Sears was excellent again, constantly being a nuisance. Murphy still needs time to get back into things and looked undercooked still compared to rest of squad. ANN was fantastic once again. Such talent on the ball and a great outlet for us. But it was the 2 subs that turned the game for us. Pitman and Mcgoldrick. Pitman's ball control and aerial ability really surprised and impressed. Matched Murphy on form last season. He will be great for us this season. And Mcgoldrick is coming back to form. Hope that Fraser is fine and will be okay for Saturday. What a start to the season! One more signing would be the cherry on the cake. Was also v impressed with their CB Keane, came through United academy, he looked v solid.

4

Macquarie added 23:19 - Aug 18 G'day from an exile in the Midlands. Any Wolves supporter would have told you that MM would do a good job for us, and he is. What's best is that it's steady, has a proper foundation.
3

Roola added 23:27 - Aug 18 Niles was fantastic tonight! Cannot believe he is only 17! Some lovely touches and good runs at defence. Made a few errors but was straight up and winning the ball back. He thoroughly deserved the standing ovation when he went off. Still a few loose balls being put about but hope that improves as the team start to gel. Knudson coped with Boyd really well this evening and think he's a good bit of business. Some good saves from Bart tonight, however 2 things still concern me about his game. 1. He needs to command his box better, bit of a mix up tonight with Berry, not the first time this season. 2. His kicking under pressure, he doesn't look comfortable with them at all, hence Burnley were chasing down every back pass. Overall I'm really chuffed! We have a much less 1 dimensional team this year, less hoof ball and more running at defences and Crosses. Team looks solid and they all work hard for each other. Bring on Preston.... let's just hope we don't bottle it.

4

StowTractorBoy added 23:43 - Aug 18 Fantastic work effort tonight slowly but surely won the match for us. I know we cry out for creativity in the centre of midfield but Skuse and Douglas did fantastic jobs tonight by closing down the opposition and giving them so little space. Maitland-Niles was a breath of fresh air and at last a player who can take a corner. Murphy again looked way off the pace and not wishing any player an injury the introduction of McGoldrick made a massive difference. We did get lucky early on when Kightley should have scored but we slowly took charge and were well worth the three points. Must keep our feet on the ground as Preston is not a happy hunting ground for us and they havn't conceded a league goal yet. Really hope Fraser is ok with his knee injury and Murphy with his tight calf. The introductions of McGoldrick and Pitman tonight however shows how much stronger we are this season and lets hope we can keep it going.

3

NSL added 23:59 - Aug 18 Bart is clearly a good shot stopper but there will always be a mix up in him. For some reason his catching of crosses never seems convincing and he sort of juggles with the ball a bit, looking like he's about to drop it. Does he just do that for a laugh???!!!
2

Palestine added 00:06 - Aug 19 Wow, what a result, and not even any late scares!! Great that Pitman is looking class and Didz is back on it. Great header. It's crazy to think we have Murph AND Sears starting, and can bring on Pitman and Didsy. Last year we had likes of Nouble, then Sammon, and Hunt. I mean you cannot compare. That's a whole division better quality. Really encouraging, and would be great if we can get a couple more. Reckon AMN is gonna have 1 hell of a season.

2

GiveusaWave added 00:18 - Aug 19 Fantastic start to the season. Well done! This was a tough one. Burnley will expect to be (at least) in the top 6 at the end of the season....
2

WeWereZombies added 01:31 - Aug 19 First home game I have been to in four years (before you start, I do live six hundred miles away) and having bought my ticket at three o'clock I put my hand in my pocket at twenty past seven...and couldn't find it! Eventually went to ticket collection office under the Cobbold Stand expecting to have to fork out another thirty quid and they just checked my address and reprinted the ticket, no fuss. This is another turnaround at the club, even the admin seems much more efficient these days. Thought Maitland-Niles deserved his ovation and the man of the match comments on BBC Radio Suffolk. He was not just tricky and pacy, he tackled back, tracked back, niggled and harried. Not all of his corners were deadly but the one that McGoldrick connected with for the second goal was. But after seventy minutes his legs looked like they were starting to go. Also thought Knudsen was really handy tonight, not just in defence and supplying the long throws but as an attacking wing back. Bialkowski made three or four very good saves but did seem to lose his footing when kicking, maybe he just needed longer studs on his boots tonight after all the afternoon's rain. Longer studs might have helped Skuse too. I'm wondering if the quality of play improved as the match went on because the pitch dried out more and it became easier to keep balance and play the ball on the floor.

4

blueherts added 03:14 - Aug 19 What makes this start even more pleasing is highlighting the depth in quality we now have Fraser is an outstanding player and we can replace. Him with one equally as talented When u think we have Bru and Bishop to come back it is a tasty looking squad with so much attacking intent through it Gt job MM et al All is good
4

yun added 04:28 - Aug 19 Freddie Sears - what a great finish! His signing looks like a really fantastic bit of business. Still only 24, too.
4

battyblue added 08:28 - Aug 19 Pitman should have started make all the difference when he came on,Murph for some reason half the player of last season whether its in his head or in his fitness whatever should be on the bench until up to speed,, Sears superb complimented by Pitman and Mc goldrick These three should start on Saturday Mick,,Bart looks to have upped his game as well success breeds confidence,,but as we have been saying since i don't know when proper right back needed address this and we can be quite confident of success this season

1

WashbrookBlue added 09:20 - Aug 19 Outstanding whole team performance to front up to and ultimately dominate an ex prem side. We should feel very good about what the collective management group at the club are achieving, building steadily piece by piece. The width and pace we were crying out for last year is there ( but , like MM, I wish they were our players proper!) and we have options to burn going forward. Hope Dids goal can light the fuse in terms of his form, he is gradually looking sharper. Glad posts have recognised Skuse's contribution, thought he was absolutely fantastic last night and Saturday at doing what he does best. Feel the additions to midfield have taken pressure off him and allowed him to focus on role he is best at. After a shaky start, Chambers got the better of Kightly and did well alongside Smith (though I still believe we need strengthening there). And finally, isn't it time we had a bit more traffic on these pages - amazing how lighter it is when we win and are top of the table??!! These are good times at P Rd and may even get that little bit better.....

2

brittaniaman added 09:24 - Aug 19 Just to remember those awful days before MM. & TC. stepped in to the breach, the week before he came we had 7pts from 13 games and bottom of the league !!!! NOW we have 7pts. from 3 games and top of the league !! We all know it is early days, but MM, has certainly got something right !!!!!!!! Congratulations on last nights win and performances, enjoyed it.
2

Slambo added 09:35 - Aug 19 Sears's finish was so deft that from my view in the Bobby lower it looked like Pitman's cross had gone straight in..! I had to do a double take when Sears's name flashed up on the scoreboard... Not really much to add! Not as pretty as our performances so far this season, but we've still got the grit and mettle to see us through in games like that. I echo the concerns about Fraser's injury. Get on the Irn Bru laddie and shake that knock off. And speaking of Bru, same goes for Kevin. This could be his stand out season. Jeez, if he played in the middle with the deadly duo out on the wings, we'd be hitting teams for 5 or 6...

2

essexbluey added 11:23 - Aug 19 I loved the game last night and it was made all the better because i gave 2 burnley fans a lift up to the game.
1

masetheace added 11:50 - Aug 19 Who is the genius who continues to find quality left backs ? Skuse outstanding , Douglas a bonus and an all round solid team performance . Carry on the good work
3

Marcus added 12:01 - Aug 19 If we win all of our remaining games we will go up. Simple.
0

ChestnutSe added 12:10 - Aug 19 Really good game and a great performance from the whole team. Brilliant.
1

MathieandMarshall added 12:42 - Aug 19 you can tell things are going well at Portman Road, the comments on this board are down to less than 50! :) Great performance last night against a team who play some nice football and are big and powerful at the back. Impressed by Knudsen, AMN, Fraser (hopefully he wont be out for long) Skuse, Sears and Bart... oh and the rest of the back 4... and Dougie... Ok... Everyone played their part!! Didz and Pitman when they came on made a difference. Pitman won everything in the air second half against some big guys! Didz just has that touch of class and holds onto the ball so well Exciting times!! - too soon to book the open top bus? ;) COYB!

2

cowboynickblue added 14:03 - Aug 19 Any truth in the lad Moncur coming to town phil?
0

TimmyH added 15:56 - Aug 19 Very pleasing win!...and a clean sheet which should give the back 4 and the goalie some confidence. Top of the league as well and very early days but something I don't think we achieved last season. Well done all, long may it continue!
3

jas0999 added 16:50 - Aug 19 A good impressive performance. Thought we dominated after a tricky start and restricted them to only a few chances. The left back was excellent, whilst AMN the man of the match. Great finishing from the two strikers, whilst Skuse/Douglas controlled things without being spectacular. Great to be top of the league even if it is after just three games! Still think we need to build on this and add a couple of quality players. Mick clearly wanted another winger as he bid for Dallas after signing Fraser and Niles. With Fraser injured id look to bring in another option. It's great seeing quality players and unfortunately, despite his hard work, Tabby just doesn't compare to our current players. Murphy is a concern. Looks totally out of form and now injured. Looks a shadow of the player from last season. Luckily we have three other quality strikers! Nice isn't it?! Overall, very pleasing.

5

TimmyH added 20:01 - Aug 19 Have to say it's a good job our midfield is somewhat stronger in depth than last season...just look at the amount of injuries we're picking up already! Agree with jas0999 - a few more signings need to be made, at least another defender (RB) and cover out wide, lessons need to be learnt from last season where we started running into trouble in the New Year..
3

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls