Ipswich 1-0 Burnley: Chopra gives Clarets the blues

Michael Chopra fired Ipswich to a fifth straight home win and to within nine points of the Championship play-offs.

Boss Paul Jewell, whose Tractor Boys have lost just one game in 10, declared: "We've just got to make sure that the season doesn't die out.

"We've shown improved form over the past few months and it's been a relief for us all."

Of the performance, Jewell said: "Our win was well deserved. I don't remember Burnley having many chances, especially in the second half."

The visitors' boss, Eddie Howe, said: "Ipswich deserved to win. We were well below par. We hardly got going at all after the break."

Chopra struck with the winner in the 54th minute. He fired in from an angle after a Lee Bowyer's shot had been blocked on the line by Burnley full-back Kieran Trippier.

It was Chopra's 14th goal of the season, and Jewell said of his number one striker: "He not only took his goal well, he played really well for the majority of the game."

Ipswich midfielder Grant Leadbitter was sent off just before the final whistle for a second yellow.

Jewell added: "This was the only low point for us. Grant had been having such a good game."