Michael Chopra ended his long wait for a goal with a last-minute winner as Ipswich took the points from Gianfranco Zola's Watford.

Chopra had gone 12 games without a goal - a run stretching back to March - but was on the end of a flowing move.

In a scrappy first half Lee Martin went close for the visitors, before Jay Emmanuel-Thomas drove wide from a cleverly worked free-kick.

Chopra's long wait

Michael Chopra's last goal also came in a 1-0 win for Ipswich - against Burnley on 21 March

Chopra then missed from six yards out before finding the late winner.

Paul Jewell's Ipswich side had lost their last five matches against the Hornets and were without a victory over their Championship rivals in their previous 15 meetings.

But they started strongly and held the upper hand for long periods.

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel-Thomas was a particular threat, testing his former Gunners team-mate Manuel Almunia on three occasions in the first half.

Watford improved with the introduction of Chris Iwelumo, and the big substitute immediately created an opening for Almen Abdi, who fired over the crossbar from 12 yards.

But a 0-0 draw still seemed likely until stoppage-time, when Carlos Edwards put a ball across the face of goal and Chopra slid in to steer in the winner.

Watford manager Gianfranco Zola told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"It was disappointing (to concede such a late goal) but, frankly, they played better than us and deserved to win.

"They kept the ball better than us and that was the difference.

"In the first half especially, in midfield we couldn't keep the ball as a unit - we were losing the ball when we were coming out (of defence) with it and they caught us out of position all the time.

"It was difficult for us to get the rhythm of our game until probably 20 minutes to go. When Chris (Iwelumo) came on, it caused some problems for them, but it wasn't enough."

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Watford

  • 01 Almunia
  • 02 Hodson
  • 05 Taylor
  • 33 Nosworthy
  • 07 Yeates Booked (Beleck - 90' )
  • 08 Hogg
  • 16 Murray (Anya - 68' )
  • 18 Pudil
  • 22 Abdi
  • 20 Vydra
  • 25 Garner (Iwelumo - 57' )

Substitutes

  • 30 Bond
  • 03 Dickinson
  • 12 Doyley
  • 21 Anya
  • 28 Smith
  • 10 Iwelumo
  • 13 Beleck

Ipswich Town

  • 01 Loach
  • 03 Cresswell
  • 04 Chambers
  • 20 Smith
  • 22 Carson (Scotland - 76' )
  • 07 Edwards
  • 09 Emmanuel-Thomas (Drury - 79' )
  • 11 Martin
  • 15 Luongo
  • 19 Hyam
  • 10 Chopra (Delaney - 90' )

Substitutes

  • 12 Lee-Barrett
  • 05 Delaney
  • 29 Ainsley
  • 16 Stevenson
  • 17 Drury
  • 14 Scotland
  • 28 Murray
Ref: East
Att: 12,422

Match Stats

Shots

7 14

On target

5 4

Corners

4 5

Fouls

12 7

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:48 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +4:01

Ikechi Anya takes a shot. Lee Martin gets a block in. Short corner worked by Almen Abdi.

90:00 +3:48

Lee Hodson sends in a cross.

90:00 +2:04

Luke Chambers restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +2:04 Substitution

Substitution Mark Yeates goes off and Steve Beleck comes on.

90:00 +2:04 Booking

Booking Booking for Mark Yeates for unsporting behaviour.

90:00 +1:59

Foul by Mark Yeates on Damien Delaney, free kick awarded.

90:00 +0:14 Substitution

Substitution (Ipswich) makes a substitution, with Damien Delaney coming on for Michael Chopra.

89:09

The assist for the goal came from Carlos Edwards.

89:09 Goal scored

Goal - Michael Chopra - Watford 0 - 1 Ipswich A goal is scored by Michael Chopra from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Watford 0-1 Ipswich.

89:02

The ball is sent over by Carlos Edwards,

87:32

The ball is crossed by Andy Drury, Jason Scotland takes a shot. Manuel Almunia makes a save.

87:09

Mark Yeates challenges Lee Martin unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Luke Chambers.

85:33

Matej Vydra takes a shot. Save made by Scott Loach.

84:55

Effort from a long way out by Lee Martin goes wide right of the target.

83:02

Carlos Edwards gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Pudil. Mark Yeates crosses the ball in from the free kick.

82:18

Effort from deep inside the area by Massimo Luongo misses to the right of the target.

81:02

Mark Yeates sends in a cross, Header by Almen Abdi from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

80:18

The ball is delivered by Lee Martin, save by Manuel Almunia.

79:59

Unfair challenge on Tommy Smith by Chris Iwelumo results in a free kick. Scott Loach takes the direct free kick.

78:51 Substitution

Substitution Jay Emmanuel-Thomas goes off and Andy Drury comes on.

77:53

Corner taken by Mark Yeates played to the near post, Daniel Pudil takes a shot. Blocked by Tommy Smith.

76:24

Corner from the left by-line taken by Lee Martin, clearance made by Nyron Nosworthy.

75:58 Substitution

Substitution Jason Scotland replaces Josh Carson.

72:16

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas produces a left-footed effort from long distance that goes harmlessly over the bar.

71:22

The assistant referee signals for offside against Michael Chopra. Indirect free kick taken by Manuel Almunia.

68:30

The ball is crossed by Lee Martin, Shot by Michael Chopra from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

67:47 Substitution

Substitution Sean Murray goes off and Ikechi Anya comes on.

65:38

Corner taken by Sean Murray played to the near post.

65:11

Matej Vydra takes a shot. Blocked by Luke Hyam.

64:00

Aaron Cresswell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sean Murray. Free kick taken by Lee Hodson.

62:30

Almen Abdi delivers the ball, clearance made by Tommy Smith.

59:32

The assistant referee signals for offside against Matej Vydra. Indirect free kick taken by Scott Loach.

58:09

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas concedes a free kick for a foul on Daniel Pudil. Manuel Almunia restarts play with the free kick.

57:34

Daniel Pudil delivers a pass corner to short, clearance made by Aaron Cresswell.

57:10

Almen Abdi produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

56:09

Manuel Almunia takes the free kick.

56:09 Substitution

Substitution Chris Iwelumo on for Joe Garner.

56:09

Lee Martin is ruled offside.

55:30

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Tommy Smith by Joe Garner. Scott Loach takes the free kick.

54:24

Corner taken short by Lee Martin.

54:06

Massimo Luongo takes a shot. Save made by Manuel Almunia.

52:03

The assistant referee signals for offside against Joe Garner. Free kick taken by Scott Loach.

48:14

Shot from just outside the box by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas misses to the right of the goal.

46:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Joe Garner on Luke Hyam. Carlos Edwards takes the direct free kick.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:00 +1:03 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

44:34

Almen Abdi fouled by Luke Hyam, the ref awards a free kick. Martin Taylor restarts play with the free kick.

41:08

The ball is sent over by Mark Yeates, Carlos Edwards manages to make a clearance.

40:50

Centre by Matej Vydra, Aaron Cresswell makes a clearance.

39:53

Sean Murray fouled by Michael Chopra, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Nyron Nosworthy.

37:12

The ball is swung over by Carlos Edwards.

33:48

Free kick awarded for a foul by Almen Abdi on Aaron Cresswell. Free kick crossed right-footed by Lee Martin from left channel, Manuel Almunia makes a save.

31:41

Luke Hyam delivers the ball.

30:44

Foul by Nyron Nosworthy on Lee Martin, free kick awarded. Lee Martin takes the direct free kick.

30:27

Foul by Joe Garner on Luke Chambers, free kick awarded. Carlos Edwards takes the direct free kick.

28:30

Massimo Luongo produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area and misses left.

27:48

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas takes the inswinging corner, save by Manuel Almunia.

27:32

The ball is crossed by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Nyron Nosworthy manages to make a clearance.

27:10

Lee Martin sends in a cross, save by Manuel Almunia.

26:22

Aaron Cresswell produces a cross, clearance made by Martin Taylor.

25:59

Mark Yeates challenges Massimo Luongo unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Luke Chambers.

24:02

Almen Abdi challenges Lee Martin unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Lee Martin. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty box that goes wide left of the target.

22:53

Lee Martin produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the goal.

20:58

Michael Chopra has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

20:23

Effort from outside the penalty area by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas goes wide left of the target.

18:42

Almen Abdi takes a shot. Save by Scott Loach.

18:04

Daniel Pudil sends in a cross, Luke Chambers manages to make a clearance.

11:58

The ball is delivered by Aaron Cresswell, clearance made by Nyron Nosworthy.

10:32

Corner from the right by-line taken by Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Nyron Nosworthy makes a clearance.

7:13

Almen Abdi concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Loach. Direct free kick taken by Scott Loach.

6:50

Daniel Pudil produces a cross, Scott Loach makes a save.

6:16

Lee Martin challenges Sean Murray unfairly and gives away a free kick. Daniel Pudil restarts play with the free kick.

4:40

Foul by Almen Abdi on Lee Martin, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Aaron Cresswell.

4:13

Tommy Smith gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matej Vydra. Sean Murray restarts play with the free kick.

3:00

Lee Martin takes a shot. Save by Manuel Almunia. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Lee Martin played to the near post, Joe Garner makes a clearance.

0:00

The match begins.

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