Little ensures happy end to notable week for Burnley

Burnley 4 Ipswich Town

It does not need the skills of Alistair Campbell, Burnley's most famous supporter, to accentuate the positives of what has been a memorable week for the Lancashire club. Last Monday it was announced that the threat of administration had receded, at least until the end of the season, largely due to the money raised from reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Then on Wednesday the 19-year-old Richard Chaplow became the first Burnley player to play for England Under-21 when he came on as a late substitute against the Netherlands. And on Saturday, they moved a step closer to safeguarding their First Division status with victory over Ipswich Town. In doing so, they went some way to avenging the 6-1 thrashing Ipswich administered at Portman Road earlier in the season.

As long as Burnley continue to attack with the purpose they showed on Saturday, climbing the table should only be a matter of time. The continuing concern for Stan Ternent, their manager, is that his small squad is susceptible to injuries.

"I'm hoping to extend a couple of loan spells and maybe bring another player in because at the moment I've only got 16 players to choose from," he said. Ipswich remain in fourth place despite a third defeat in five games, but with mid-table typically congested eight teams are now within four points of them.

The right-winger and crowd favourite Glen Little was the game's outstanding performer. The 28-year-old opened the scoring, adroitly side-footing home after Paul Weller's shot had been parried.

A second almost followed with a powerful drive flying just wide after a typically thrusting run. Then in injury time he set up Robbie Blake just when Ipswich were threatening to grab an unlikely point.

In between times, David May headed the second and Chaplow met a clearance with a precise volley to give the Clarets a three-goal advantage. Ipswich struck back, through Tommy Miller and a Martin Reuser free-kick.

"I thought once we'd got the third goal that was the important one but we never do things simply around here," Ternent said.

Goals: Little (26) 1-0; May (68) 2-0; Chaplow (61) 3-0; Miller (65) 3-1; Reuser (88) 3-2; Blake (90) 4-2.

Burnley (4-4-2): Jensen; Roche, May, McGregor, Camara; Little, Grant, Chaplow, Weller (Orr 73); Blake, I Moore. Substitutes not used: Rachubka (gk), A Moore, Chadwick, West.

Ipswich Town (4-4-2): Davis; Wilnis (Richards 31), Naylor, McGreal, Diallo (Counago 46); Magilton, Miller, Wright, Westlake; Bent, Kuqi (Reuser 62). Substitutes not used: Price (gk), Santos.

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).

Booked: Burnley: McGregor, Chaplow. Ipswich Town: Richards, Counago.

Man of the match: Little (Burnley).

Attendance: 12,418