Ipswich undone by second half display

And like Phillips, former Bristol Rovers and Hudders-field striker Stewart continues to look the part in the most demanding of company.

His 11th goal of the season, five minutes into the New Year action, was taken with the cool aplomb with which he has become associated after a classy right-wing move led to skipper Matt Holland squaring for Stewart to clip the ball in with the outside of his left foot.

It was a great finish but, unfortunately for Ipswich, they failed to create enough openings for Stewart to exploit his current rich vein of form further.

'We did not give him enough service in the second half,' said Ipswich manager George Burley. 'In spells today he showed he's right on top of his game.'

Stewart was also the first of five visitors to be booked, confirming they can mix it.

However, their willingness to embrace the physical requirements cost Ipswich dear in the 25th minute. A push by Mark Venus on Danny Dichio, who partnered Phillips up front in place of the rested Niall Quinn, allowed Julio Arca to curl a left-foot free-kick high past goalkeeper Richard Wright's left for a deserved equaliser.

Ipswich still pleased Burley, though, so much so in the first half that he felt they were unlucky not to be ahead at the break.

'We were the better first-half team,' said the Scot.

'All credit to Sunderland, though, for their second-half performance.

'Kevin's a smashing striker. It's quite well documented that I almost got him a few years ago before he came here. I always thought highly of him and I knew him as a player at Watford. He has developed into an international-class player.'

Burley was less complimentary about some of his own players' defending.

'We gave away two bad goals, the second and third.

Then we got ragged at the back.

'It's incredible that we have done so well this season. Nobody expected this but we dropped our standards in the second half.

'Sunderland are a very powerful side. They got a tremendous result to draw at Arsenal on Saturday and I can see them staying near the top of the table at the end of the season.'

Phillips had not taken advantage of three first-half breaks but his 12th goal of the season - his fifth in three games - was tucked away with almost ridiculous ease in the 57th minute after Dichio headed on Jody Craddock's long ball. Six minutes later a terrific move brought a 3-1 lead.

Emerson Thome's long pass was headed by Don Hutchison and Phillips ignored his own chance of scoring by setting up Dichio for a goal on his first Premiership start for Sunder-land.

From that moment on there was only going to be one team in it and Alex Rae's persistence and good cross resulted in Schwarz's well-struck goal two minutes from time.

'We're going well at the moment,' added Reid. 'Another three points and I think we're safe from relegation!

'I thought they started well and were giving us problems but we always looked dangerous and in the second half I thought we were outstanding.'