Brentford 2 Ipswich Town 4
Brentford’s final home match of a brilliant 2014 ended in a heavy defeat at a sold-out Griffin Park.
The Bees, so impressive since being promoted to the Championship, started the day in third place, with Ipswich second and both teams knowing a win would move them to the top of the table.
It turned out to be a one-sided affair, with Daryl Murphy putting Town ahead inside 30 seconds and scoring again before Paul Anderson made it 3-0.
Sam Saunders, making his first appearance at Griffin Park since January, scored twice after coming on as a second-half substitute.
That was certainly a plus for the home fans given the popular playmaker’s injury problems, but Ipswich were always in control and their fourth goal was scored by former Brentford loanee Tommy Smith.
Murphy fired into the bottom corner before the Irishman and Jay Tabb missed chances to double the visitors’ lead.
Ex-Brentford star Tabb, who made more than 150 appearances for the Bees, fired over after being set up by Smith.
Murphy’s unconvincing effort was then saved by David Button, but the goalkeeper was unable to rescue the hosts on 21 minutes.
Jonathan Parr played the ball forward and Murphy got the better of Tony Craig before rounding Button and applying a simple finish.
And worse followed for Brentford when Tabb crossed for Anderson to score on the half-hour mark.
David McGoldrick missed a golden chance to make it four before the Bees at least threatened when Andre Gray went close from Alex Pritchard’s cross.
Brentford had a decent spell after the break and Alan Judge had a shot saved following good work by Gray.
Saunders’ deflected shot after good work by fellow substitute Jon Toral gave his team hope, but Ipswich’s three-goal advantage was quickly restored when Smith belted in the fourth following McGoldrick’s corner.
Saunders netted from close range in the final minute but by then Ipswich had made the points safe.
Brentford : Button: Odubajo, Dean, Craig, Bidwell; Diagouraga, Douglas (Toral 65); Jota, Pritchard, Judge (Saunders 75); Gray (Proschwitz 65).
Subs not used: Bonham, Tarkowski, Dallas, Smith.
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This post was last modified on 26/12/2014