Report: Town V Sunderland

By Aston
November 21 2004

Ipswich Town failed to capitalise on Wigan’s draw with Leicester yesterday and go top, instead losing 2-0 against Sunderland.

Ipswich Town failed to capitalise on Wigan’s draw with Leicester yesterday and go top, instead losing 2-0 against Sunderland.

Tow goals in the second half, one from Stephen Elliot and one from Chris Brown were enough to end Town’s 11 game unbeaten run and leave Town a point behind league leaders Wigan.

Sunderland were the better team from start to finish, with Thomas Myhre in the Sunderland goal having very little to do, Darren Bent scuffing what was probably Town’s best chance of the afternoon with his left foot mid way though the first half.

Dean Bowditch and Ian Westlake also had a couple of efforts between them but caused no real trouble.

Bowditch was forced off just before half time with an ankle injury, Pablo Couñago coming on for the youngster.

Town had Kelvin Davis to thank for it being goalless at half time after he tipped Carters 25 yard volley just before Town wasted a great a free kick just outside the Sunderland box, which Jim Magilton rolled to De Vos who had his high powered effort deflected wide.

At the break Sunderland were forced into a change, Jeff Whitley coming off with a hamstring injury, Liam Lawrence coming on.

It was Lawrence who caused most problems for the Town back line the corner he won created then first goal which was deflected in by Stephen Elliot a yard in front of goal on the hour mark.

15 minutes later the black cats wrapped up the points, substitute Chris Brown side footing the ball into the net as De Vos tried to clear off the line.

Town manager Joe Royle introduced 16 year old striker Darryl Knights for the final ten minutes in place of Shefki Kuqi. Knights had little impact on the game but then again none of the 5 strikers that Town used did.

Sunderland Squad: Myhre, Wright, Caldwell, Breen, McCartney, Whitley, Carter, Arca, Whitehead, Elliott, Stewart, Alnwick, Bridges, Brown, Collins, Lawrence.

Ipswich Town Squad: Darren Bent, Dean Bowditch, Aidan Collins, Pablo Couñago, Kelvin Davis, Jason De Vos, Drissa Diallo, Kevin Horlock, Darryl Knights, Shefki Kuqi, Jim Magilton, Richard Naylor, Matt Richards, Shane Supple, Ian Westlake, Fabian Wilnis.

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