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Michael Chopra's sixth goal in as many games earned on-form Ipswich a comfortable win over Bristol City.

Chopra headed the hosts in front midway through the first half, converting Lee Martin's cross from close range.

Tommy Smith nodded Andy Drury's corner beyond David James after the break.

For the visitors, Liam Fontaine and Albert Adomah had shots saved, before Smith rattled the crossbar and Drury added extra gloss by smashing in a third from long range.

City's afternoon was made worse by injury to Adomah, as the West Country side slipped to a sixth straight away defeat in all competitions.

But Ipswich, who had won four in a row before last weekend's 3-0 defeat by Brighton, rose to 14th in the Championship table.

Chances were sparse early on, with Smith lashing over the crossbar from long range and James producing a fine save to deny Chopra.

City struggled to create any serious inroads, and it took until the 22nd minute for the Robins to test Alex McCarthy, Fontaine seeing his shot from inside the penalty area pushed around the post.

However, Ipswich quickly went down the other end and took the lead. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas sent Martin clear down the right and the midfielder produced a pinpoint cross to pick out Chopra, who headed in his 13th of the season.

Emmanuel-Thomas fired over the bar and then chipped wide, and only two good stops from James to deny Chopra prevented Ipswich from taking a bigger lead into the interval.

City pulled themselves back into the game after half-time, but with 25 minutes remaining, Ipswich put the game beyond the visitors when Drury swung in a corner from the right and Smith rose highest to head beyond James.

Drury then rounded off a successful afternoon with a stunning finish from 25 yards.

Ipswich manager Paul Jewell:

"From start to finish we played at a good tempo and created numerous opportunities.

"My only concern at half-time was that they were still in the game and we should have put it to bed.

"But the whole team, from back to front, was really good."

Bristol City manager Derek McInnes:

"Clearly the best team won. Ipswich were the better team in the first half and we were fortunate to only be 1-0 down.

"But we kept their better players quiet in the second half, got the ball forward quicker and the game was more evenly poised.

"It was a case of whoever scored the second goal. When Ipswich got it, it was always going to be difficult for us.

"One point from six games is poor form from our point of view and we need to generate confidence and belief."

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