Bristol City 0-3 Ipswich: Sunday Mirror match report

Michael Chopra’s ­deadly finishing touch set Paul ­Jewell’s promotion campaign off to the perfect start.

Jewell has swopped ­potential for guaranteed goals by selling teenager Connor Wickham and ­buying Chopra – and putting £6.5million profit in the ­coffers at the same time.

Former Newcastle and Sunderland striker Chopra finished last season losing in the play-off semi-finals with Cardiff, and showed he’s not lost his hunger to get back to the Premier League.

And the man who could be Jewell’s key summer buy at a bargain £1.5m twice made a mug out of former England goalkeeper David James.

With just 13 minutes gone he ran on to Lee Martin’s perfectly flighted pass and chipped the ball over the 41-year-old.

Then in the second half he pounced when Jamal ­Campbell-Ryce underhit a back pass and James tried but failed to dribble the ball round him.

By that time Jewell’s team were already two up thanks to a cool finish by former Manchester United winger Martin just after the break.

For City – and James – it was a horror reminder of the opening day of last season when they lost 4-0 at home to Millwall.

It could have been a ­similar scoreline ­yesterday had Grant ­Leadbitter’s late shot not hit the post. Keith ­Millen’s side were ­unlucky when Nicky ­Maynard’s ­effort in the 46th minute was ruled out for a marginal ­offside.

But they struggled against the strength down the spine of Ipswich’s team, where Republic of Ireland defender Damien Delaney won ­everything in the air and both Lee Bowyer and Mark Kennedy showed their ­experience in midfield.

And when City did think they had half a chance of getting back in the game, England squad keeper David Stockdale produced a ­stunning point blank save to keep out Maynard’s close range shot.