Ipswich Town went into tonight’s 2-1 win at Fulham looking for a fast start, but even goalscorer Freddie Sears hadn’t dreamed of coming out the blocks quite so quickly.

After the hosts kicked off, the Blues won the ball back before Sears surged through the middle of the Fulham defence to slot into Andy Lonergan’s bottom left corner after just 16 seconds, sending the 2,500 travelling fans wild.

Ross McCormack levelled 15 minutes later before Brett Pitman won the game for the Blues in the second half, with Sears insisting his side’s fast start set the tone for the rest of the game.

“It was a great start, the gaffer wanted us to start fast but I don’t think he would have imagined we would start as fast as that,” he said.

“It was obviously my first few touches of the ball and it was a great start for us which set the tone early on.

“First half it was hard work, very open and end to end at times so the gaffer told us we should try and put a stop to that. We don’t want it too open, it’s hard work when it’s open.

“In the end we got to grips with it and we got the three points.”

The former West Ham man was also pleased to be able to lay on the winning goal, as his cross from the left allowed Pitman to sweep the ball home.

“I’m playing a bit wider at the moment so assists are something I want to help the team with too. I managed to get the ball in from the left hand side, Brett’s put it in and he got us the winner.”