IPSWICH Town boss Paul Jewell has described today’s 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace as a “kick in the teeth”.

Patrick McCarthy’s 54th minute winner was the difference as the Blues lost their first match in seven in front of the biggest crowd at Portman Road this season.

Speaking after the match, Jewell said: “We didn’t perform today. Let’s give Crystal Palace some credit, they played well. They caused us problems with their pace but we didn’t cause them any.

“Certainly on this little run we have been on, we have been creating chances and having good movement but we just looked flat. It is a shame, we get a terrific crowd in today and we don’t perform the way we like to.”

But Jewell refused to be too downhearted by the defeat, following a fantastic few weeks for the Blues.

He added: “People have been saying nice things about us and I have been saying just keep a lid on it. There is a long way to go this season.

“We have come a long way in a shortish space of time and this is a kick in the teeth but we have to bounce back from it.”

The Town boss admitted that Ibrahima Sonko was never likely to feature today after his hamstring strain with the defender a doubt for next week’s trip to Millwall. while his replacement, Damien Delaney, was brought off after suffering a foot injury.

And Jewell, who had no complaints about Aaron Cresswell’s late red card for dissent following a first half booking, confirmed that Jimmy Bullard was not brought off in the second half with an injury, the manager just wanted to freshen things up.