It is a few years now since the Championship was described as a dog of a division and since then, ugly word for a mean place, it has only got doggier. A week ago, Ipswich were in fourth place with a game in hand. But before the start of this game, having garnered one point from two away trips, they were in ninth.

Way ahead of them were the West Country arrivistes Bristol City. To many, they are the surprise package but, here, they were receiving rather than giving shocks as Ipswich strolled to their 11th consecutive home win.

A quarter of a century has passed since they last won so many in a row. And they did so playing pleasing football, for manager Jim Magilton has fashioned a team in his own image. If their form away was half as good as it is at home, they would be in an automatic promotion place.

'You don't often get days like this, so you've got to enjoy it,' said Magilton. 'We passed the ball fluently with good tempo and quality. It was a good day at the office.'

'We've just got to say how well Ipswich did,' said City manager Gary Johnson. 'We were poor. They started like a house on fire and we didn't handle it. We are always humble in victory and we will be resilient in defeat. Bad day at the office but we will redecorate and be back.'

Ipswich started, as they finished, with a wonderful goal from Jonathan Walters. The ex-Bolton midfielder cut in from the right and his slightly deflected shot arrowed into the bottom corner of the net. It was his fifth goal of the season.

They continued to dominate and could have been further ahead before they actually did. A period of pressure was followed by Alan Lee dispossessing Bradley Orr and being given as long as he liked to tee up his cross. When completely settled he sent the ball unerringly to his rather small right-back David Wright who, unmarked on the penalty spot, popped his header into the corner of the net.

Matters deteriorated further for City when captain Louis Carey hobbled off injured to be replaced by Jamie McCombe. The visitors were thoroughly bamboozled. Their best, and pretty much only chance, fell neatly to Michael McIndoe who found the ball at his feet with Town keeper Neil Alexander 15 yards out of his goal. A lob would have put his side back in the game, instead he gave Alexander a simple catch.

Ipswich have failed to capitalise on a few 2-0 leads this season, but this time they played with increased vigour after the interval. And when a rampaging Danny Haynes was brought crashing to the ground by Orr, it had to be a penalty and the defender had to go. Adriano Basso dived the right way but neither fast nor far enough and Miller made it 3-0. Party time.

The fourth was special. Billy Clarke showed great muscle in regaining the ball next to his own penalty area and great skill in hitting a 40-yard ball to Garvan who, with City stretched, found Walters in acres of space on the right. His finish was unerring.

The fifth was as good as Spanish striker Pablo Counago walked the ball in from the right and passed it into the net. Number six was also Walters's hat-trick, Counago produced a delightful through ball and this time he went through the middle.

It was all witnessed by Premier League chief Richard Scudamore who earlier in the week had attended 'a packed Ipswich Town networking business breakfast'. Perhaps Ipswich will be joining him in the top flight. Their home record for the season now reads: played seven, won seven, goals for 23, goals against four, points 21. Now, if only they could start winning away from home.

Will Buckley (Guardian Unlimited)