Ailing Burnley laid low

Weakened by a flu virus and torn asunder by Ipswich's crisp passing and clinical finishing, Burnley conceded five goals during a devastating 20-minute spell before half-time at Portman Road last night to succumb to their heaviest defeat of the season.

Two goals in two minutes for Ipswich by Pablo Counago had Burnley reeling. Three more came in quick succession before Delroy Facey's face-saver for the visitors. Shefki Kuqi completed the rout for Ipswich late on.

There was nothing between the teams for 20 minutes but then Counago struck. The Spaniard started the move, also involving Kuqi and Alan Mahon, which ended with him putting Ipswich ahead.

Mahon's nod-down led to Counago curling another exquisite shot past Brian Jensen two minutes later. But for Paul Weller getting the merest touch to Mahon's cross, Counago would have helped himself to a five-minute hat-trick. But not to worry. Mahon's shot that was parried by Jensen led to Jermaine Wright beating Jensen on the bounce for Ipswich's third goal.

Chris Bart-Williams exchanged passes with Wright before scoring the fourth, and then Mahon's corner after 39 minutes bounced in at the far post off Richard Chaplow for an own goal.

Chaplow atoned for his blemish by delivering the left-wing cross that enabled Facey to reduce the deficit after 49 minutes. Kuqi, however, gave Ipswich the last word.

Nicholas Harling (Daily Telegraph)