Ipswich v Burnley reaction

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell praised his side for a vastly-improved second-half performance in their 1-0 victory against Burnley on Wednesday.

The mid-table rivals produced a scrappy, error-ridden first period in the Championship clash at Portman Road.

But Michael Chopra popped up with the only goal 10 minutes after the break to make it five straight home wins for the Blues.

In all fixtures, they have only lost once in 10 games now.

Jewell said: "The first half was scrappy and we just couldn't pass the ball.

"But in the second I thought we were excellent.

"We created a lot of chances, played with a lot of energy and quality and it should have been more than 1-0.

"I can't remember them having too many opportunities in the second half, if any at all, and the final score definitely flattered them.

"Michael's got 14 goals now and some of his movement was excellent. He's not just a good finisher - he's a good player."

Jewell laughed off talk of his side making a late surge for the play-offs.

They are only nine points adrift of the top six but he said: "I've said all along that we're taking it one game at a time.

"We don't want the season to peter out but we're not even thinking about anything other than Watford on Saturday."

Ipswich scored their winner nine minutes into the second half.

Lee Martin capitalised on a wayward pass by Marvin Bartley, surged at goal and saw his low shot parried by Lee Grant.

Lee Bowyer's follow-up was charged down but the ball fell kindly for Chopra, who powered his shot into the net.

Burnley had made the brighter start, going close through Jay Rodriguez, Kieran Trippier and Daniel Lafferty.

It was only in the latter stages of the first half that Ipswich got their act together and Bowyer produced a near-post header that was tipped over by Lee Grant.

Bowyer also appeared to have valid penalty claims after being shoved in the box by Marvin Bartley.

However, the referee was unimpressed and the first half finished goalless.

Chopra's goal provided some welcome cheer after the break and Grant Leadbitter nearly added a second - only for his shot to be blocked just in front of the line by Trippier.

Chopra then went close again 10 minutes from time but his close-range effort was brilliantly saved by Grant.

There was controversy in stoppage-time when Leadbitter received his second yellow card and was sent off by referee James Linington.

Burnley boss Eddie Howe felt his side were in the ascendancy at half-time - only to let their standards slip after the break.

"I felt confident at half-time that we could go out and cause them more problems," he said.

"But the second half was really disappointing and we didn't get going.

"We lacked our usual spark and zip and looked flat.

"Ipswich deservedly won the game because we were well below par in the second half, which was hugely frustrating.

"We've had a lot of games with a small squad, but we're better than that.

"It's rare for us to be that poor in the second half and we've got to get back to scoring goals and creating chances.

"That's a concern. We were free-scoring earlier in the season and need to get back to that.

"I still believe we've got the best four front players in the division but we've got to give them more supply."

Howe admitted that there could be some transfer activity, ahead of tomorrow's loan deadline.

"We're looking at a couple out and a couple in," he said.