An action-packed encounter at Portman Road saw West Ham win an eight-goal thriller against Ipswich.
England star bags hat-trick
An action-packed encounter at Portman Road saw West Ham win an eight-goal thriller against Ipswich.
England striker Dean Ashton was the star of the show as he claimed a hat-trick for The Hammers.
Ashton opened the scoring after just four minutes when he smashed home from the edge of the box after good work from Matthew Etherington.
The lead lasted just a couple of minutes though as Town levelled through Veliche Shumlikoski, but West Ham were soon back in the lead as Craig Bellamy scored with a sublime chip after being sent clear by Lucas Neill.
That was the last action for Bellamy - who ten minutes later was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury.
Rebound
While West Ham re-organised their side Ipswich levelled as Owen Garvan slotted home after Robert Green saved his initial effort.
Ashton restored West Ham's lead and grabbed his second on the hour. He picked up on a rebound form Kyel Reid's shot and powered the ball home.
17 minutes from time and Ashton wrapped up his treble with Reid involved again. The young midfielder swept a cross into the box and Ashton met the ball first-time to beat Wright once more.
West Ham claimed a fifth on 78 minutes with Mark Noble firing home a spectacular strike from 25-yards.
Ipswich's Alan Lee completed the scoring as he headed home with just a minute left on the clock.
