Match ends, Burnley 1, Ipswich Town 0.
BurnleyBurnley1IpswichIpswich Town0
Ipswich Town's play-off ambitions have ended after defeat by promoted Burnley.
Realistically, only a victory would have preserved the slim promotion hopes of Mick McCarthy's side but this loss leaves them four points adrift of sixth place with one game remaining.
Chances were scarce for either side at Turf Moor.
But Burnley earned their 26th win of the term when Michael Kightly rolled in to an unguarded net after Dean Gerken had denied Danny Ings.
Given that their Premier League status for next season is confirmed and the title is now out of reach, Burnley might have been expected to allow their ferocious intensity to drop just a little.
But that would be to misunderstand the side Sean Dyche has assembled.
They were afforded two days off after clinching promotion with victory over Wigan on Easter Monday but the hosts' characteristic desire was not dimmed.
Kightly's goal, after 54 minutes, epitomised that.
Twice Burnley players won challenges in midfield before Ashley Barnes flicked the ball into the path of Ings. He veered past Luke Chambers and, although Gerken blocked his effort, Kightly was on hand to guide the loose ball into an unguarded net.
Until then, clear openings had been scarce for Burnley. Ings posed problems with a couple of efforts from the edge of the area, while Scott Arfield appeared to be impeded by Chambers as he strained to reach a Kightly cross.
Indeed, the better opportunities had fallen to Ipswich. Kieran Trippier was forced to divert a Tommy Smith header over his own crossbar and Frazer Richardson volleyed wide after meeting a teasing Daryl Murphy cross.
Then, as McCarthy's men chased an equaliser, Paul Taylor's free-kick was palmed wide magnificently by Tom Heaton.
Yet for all Ipswich's endeavour to haul themselves back into the game, it was Burnley who came closest to scoring a second goal. Unsurprisingly Ings was involved, meeting Dean Marney's cross and cannoning an effort against the crossbar.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche:
"I believe in the way the players work. My personal belief is that if you do it right all of the time, then you don't need to flick that switch and turn it on.
"Tremendous credit to our group as it is difficult with all [the celebrations] going on. The focus on the game was absolutely spot on.
"That is a good thing because there is some of this group that will be competing in the division next year where there will be a lot of stuff going round and different protocols - maybe it was a tiny taster of that here."
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy:
"I thought our performance was very good up until conceding the goal. We were on top, but we missed that one tackle and it changes the course of the game.
"Without doubt, Burnley are outstandingly good value. They have deserved it, well done to them, and they should enjoy it and not listen to all the doom and gloom."
Line-ups
Burnley
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Heaton
- 2Trippier
- 6Mee
- 14Jones
- 4Duff
- 5Shackell
- 19KightlySubstituted forStanislasat 63'minutes
- 8Marney
- 10IngsSubstituted forTreacyat 90+3'minutes
- 30Barnes
- 37ArfieldSubstituted forWallaceat 71'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Wallace
- 11Stanislas
- 12Cisak
- 15Edgar
- 17Baird
- 26Treacy
- 28Long
Ipswich
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 22Gerken
- 4Chambers
- 3Cresswell
- 24RichardsonSubstituted forTaylorat 65'minutes
- 6Berra
- 5SmithBooked at 25mins
- 16Green
- 8Skuse
- 9Murphy
- 25WilliamsBooked at 82mins
- 12HuntSubstituted forNoubleat 66'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Loach
- 15Mings
- 18Tabb
- 20Veseli
- 26Taylor
- 34Marriott
- 35Nouble
- Referee:
- James Linington
- Attendance:
- 14,574
Match Stats
Home TeamBurnleyAway TeamIpswich
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away2
- Corners
- Home2
- Away9
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Burnley 1, Ipswich Town 0.
Substitution
Substitution, Burnley. Keith Treacy replaces Danny Ings.
Post update
Foul by Ross Wallace (Burnley).
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Jonathan Williams (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. David Jones (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Dean Marney with a cross.
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Ross Wallace (Burnley) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Aaron Cresswell (Ipswich Town).
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Attempt missed. Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town) header from very close range misses to the left. Assisted by Paul Taylor with a cross.
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Attempt missed. Frank Nouble (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Jonathan Williams.
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Corner, Ipswich Town. Conceded by David Jones.
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Dean Marney (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Frank Nouble (Ipswich Town).
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Attempt missed. Frank Nouble (Ipswich Town) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Paul Green with a headed pass.
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Foul by Ashley Barnes (Burnley).
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Paul Taylor (Ipswich Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Jonathan Williams (Ipswich Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Kieran Trippier (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jonathan Williams (Ipswich Town).
Post update
Corner, Ipswich Town. Conceded by Tom Heaton.
