Ince inspires Blackpool to big win
A virtuoso display from winger Tom Ince inspired npower Championship pacesetters Blackpool to a 6-0 demolition of Ipswich.
Former Liverpool youngster Ince bagged a brace in the Seasiders' opening day win at Millwall and he helped himself to two more fine strikes as Paul Jewell's side were put to the sword.
Town held their own for most of the first half, but Aaron Cresswell's own goal and Gary Taylor-Fletcher's strike moments before the break sent Blackpool in two goals to the good.
Ince was the provider on both occasions and he got in on the act with a scintillating double when the action resumed.
Craig Cathcart was the beneficiary of another Ince cross to make it five and Nouha Dicko completed the rout, the on-loan Wigan forward scoring from the bench as he did against Leeds in midweek.
Ian Holloway's side are now the only team in the Championship with a 100% record after three games as they consigned Ipswich's own unbeaten start to rubble.
Jewell's men were the quicker of the two sides out of the blocks and Blackpool full-back Ian Crainey had to be alert to clear when Jay Emmanuel-Thomas burst down the left and fizzed the ball across the six yard box.
But the Seasiders took the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute.
Town centre-back Tommy Smith floundered under a long-ball, allowing Ince to capitalise and fire a low cross that was turned into his own net by Cresswell.
Lee Martin launched a pair of speculative efforts as Ipswich looked to respond, while veteran striker Kevin Phillips sent a 20-yard volley over following a sharp one-two with Portuguese midfielder Tiago Gomes.
It was a rare example of Blackpool shifting their customary passing game into gear, and when Ince drilled a left-footed effort narrowly wide in the 38th minute, it was a product of his own endeavours.
Tangerines goalkeeper Matt Gilks produced a magnificent reaction save from Emmanuel-Thomas in the 42nd minute and Ipswich's disappointment was compounded on the stroke of the interval.
Gomes and Ince produced an intricate exchange of passes for the latter to find the by-line and cut back for Taylor-Fletcher, who emphatically sent a half-volley beyond Town keeper Scott Loach.
Jewell's side had cause to be aggrieved by the half-time score, but they were soon blown away by a rampant Blackpool.
In the 49th minute Ince collected Crainey's lofted pass and befuddled Smith with a dazzling exhibition of skill before driving into the bottom corner.
Phillips should have made it four when Taylor-Fletcher slid him through 10 minutes into the half, although it mattered for little moments later.
At the end of a fine passing move, Gomes' reverse pass found Taylor-Fletcher and he in turn teed up Ince to curl home.
The game's outstanding player turned provider shortly after the hour, crossing for centre-back Cathcart to thump home a header.
The pace eased thereafter, but Ipswich's misery was complete when Matt Phillips sped through on goal and lofted the ball over the advancing Loach for fellow substitute Dicko to apply the finish.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG