Ipswich show signs of rejuvenation

Watford 0 Ipswich Town

The Football League's last surviving unbeaten home record came to an end at Vicarage Road yesterday as Ipswich displayed the pedigree that made them pre-season favourites.

Ipswich, who have badly under-performed so far this season, can expect to progress up the First Division table if they maintain the discipline and application they showed against Watford.

"I said at the start of the season that if we were to lose then the other team must play well to beat us," the Watford manager Ray Lewington said. "Ipswich certainly did that and I would say they are the best team we have played this season – and that includes Portsmouth and Leicester."

His Ipswich counterpart Joe Royle said: "It's very kind of Ray to say that, but this was not a one-off. We have been showing progress over all five games and if we continue to play in this way then I think we can make progress up the league. It's going to be a long haul and we have to beat everyone to do it."

Ipswich handed a debut to new signing Paul Gerrard, who has joined up with his former manager on loan from Everton, although he was a virtual spectator in the opening skirmishes.

Alun Armstrong was the first to threaten for Ipswich, but he failed to find the target from outside the area, with Thomas Gaardsoe also firing wide from further out just moments later.

The Watford keeper Alec Chamberlain then had to act quickly to cut out a cross from Fabian Wilnis, before saving a header from Jim Magilton after a cross by John McGreal. Magilton again tested the Watford rearguard with an inswinging corner that was well dealt with by Heidar Helguson, before Chamberlain got safe hands to his next effort.

Ipswich started the second half in the ascendancy, and the visitors did take the lead on 51 minutes. Darren Bent provided the killer pass, and Armstrong drilled in a right-footed effort from outside the box that flew into the top left-hand corner.

Bent then headed over as the home side struggled to hang on, before Town did add a second goal on 57 minutes when Jamie Clapham unleashed a shot from the edge of the area that flew past Chamberlain.

Clapham almost added a third shortly after, before Matt Holland hit the woodwork from outside the box 15 minutes from time.

Tommy Smith, Marcus Gayle and Jermaine Pennant had late chances to pull one back, but Ipswich held on for the win that goes some way towards making up for the disappointing Uefa Cup exit on Thursday.

Goals: Armstrong (51) 0-1; Clapham (57) 0-2.

Watford (4-4-2): Chamberlain; Doyley, Cox, Gayle, Robinson; Ardley (Johnson, 75), Nielsen, Hyde, Glass (Tommy Smith, 63); Helguson, Pennant. Substitutes not used: Mahon, Foley, Lee.

Ipswich Town (4-4-2): Gerrard; McGreal, Makin, Gaardsoe, Wilnis; Magilton, Holland, Clapham, Hreidarsson; Darren Bent, Armstrong (Counago, 79). Substitutes not used: Venus, Wright, Ambrose, Pullen.

Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).

Bookings: Watford: Hyde, Cox. Ipswich: Hreidarsson, McGreal.

Man of the match: Chamberlain.

Attendance: 16,184.