Frank Nouble brace secures Ipswich win

Frank Nouble scored a first-half brace for Ipswich Town that helped his side secure a 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace in the Championship.

The hosts began the game well but Nouble should have done better in the final third with his effort as he dragged a left-footed shot wide of the target.

Palace started to get a grip on the game and went close through Glenn Murray, but his header from a corner was well blocked by Town defender Richard Stearman before it could threaten the goal.

Ipswich took the lead through Nouble when a mistake from Palace keeper Julien Speroni allowed the striker to steal the ball and place it into the net.

The hosts doubled their lead as Aaron Cresswell fired a shot out of nothing from 25 yards that flew into the top corner of the net.

It was 3-0 minutes later as another mistake from Palace, this time from Peter Ramage, allowed Nouble to nick away the ball and fire past Speroni into the net.

Guirane N'Daw could have made it four for Town after the break, but he saw his goalbound effort blocked by a rearguard action of the Palace defence.

Murray nearly got his side a goal back but his powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area was well saved by Scott Loach.

Kevin Phillips also saw a late effort hit the post, however, there was to be no consolation for Palace, as Ipswich sealed a comfortable win.