Sunderland storm past Ipswich

Sunderland celebrate Daniele Dichio's strike

Sunderland 4-1 Ipswich

Sunderland overcame an early setback to win their tie with Ipswich thanks to second-half goals from Kevin Phillips, Daniele Dichio and substitute Stefan Schwarz.

An early goal from Ipswich's Marcus Stewart had left the Black Cats reeling but they were back on level terms 20 minutes later thanks to a free-kick from Julio Arca.

George Burley's men played much the better football in the first 45 minutes but a rejuvenated Sunderland emerged from the dressing room to turn the tables on their opponents.

The tactical switch of Niall Quinn for Daniele Dichio paid off as first Phillips and then Dichio beat Richard Wright with simple finishes.

Ipswich were impressive from the start and played with an air of confidence fuelled by their rich vein of recent form.

On-form Marcus Stewart fired Ipswich ahead on just five minutes after Matt Holland played him in with a cross to feet.

Sunderland had been on the verge of creating an opening themselves when Kevin Philips was dispossessed and Jamie Clapham's clearance set up the break.

Sunderland picked themselves up quickly after the early blow, gradually forcing their way into the Ipswich half.

A couple of clumsy challenges from Ipswich gave Sunderland more chances on goal than their early form had perhaps deserved.

Mark Venus was punished for a challenge on Daniele Dichio as he headed goalward but he was unable to then convert Don Hutchison's free-kick.

This season we have come on strong in the second-half and I think its down to the strength of the players

  Sunderland boss Peter Reid

Kevin Phillips was felled for another free-kick in a similar position seconds later which Hutchison this time shot over the bar.

Sunderland almost gave away a second shortly before the half hour as Jamie Scowcroft's pass across the face of goal was cleverly left by Stewart only to be squandered by Holland.

Perhaps sensing they had enjoyed a lucky escape Peter Reid's men picked up the pace.

A late tackle from Marcus Stewart which floored Don Hutchison incensed the crowd.

The referee had no option but to show Stewart the yellow card and with tempers slightly raised, Dichio was then fouled just outside the box.

If you make mistakes against class opposition you get punished

  Ipswich manager George Burley

The free kick was taken by Julio Arca who made no mistake in curling a beautiful shot into the top right hand corner past Richard Wright.

Sunderland seized the initiative after the restart and should have doubled their goal tally within minutes.

A superb piece of skill from Don Hutchison created space for Kevin Phillips but Daniele Dichio failed to score with just the keeper to beat.

Their determination was duly rewarded when a long ball found Daniele Dichio.

Emphatic

He smartly headed the ball on for a running Phillips who displayed his natural composure in slotting the ball past Wright.

Phillips' repayed the compliment six minutes later when his cross found Dichio unmarked in the centre of the box allowing him to sidefoot home Sunderland's third.

Ipswich were thrust on to the back foot and were lucky not to have Mark Venus sent off when as last man he appeared to have impeded Kevin Phillips.

Sunderland's emphatic second-half performance was sealed with a tap-in from substitute Stefan Schwarz on 88 minutes.

Sunderland's win boosted them to joint second in the Premiership, two points above Ipswich.

Teams:

Sunderland: Sorensen, Makin, Gray, Craddock, Thome, Hutchison, McCann, Rae, Arca, Dichio, Phillips.
Subs: Macho, Varga, Williams, Quinn, Schwarz.

Ipswich: Richard Wright, Wilnis, Bramble, Venus, Hreidarsson, Clapham, Holland, Jermaine Wright, Scowcroft, Stewart, Armstrong.
Subs: Branagan, Johnson, Reuser, McGreal, Magilton.
Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe)