West Ham 2Ipswich Town 2JOE Royle today praised Darren Bent's “big-game performance” as Ipswich moved a slight step closer to the Premiership.Town's promotion dream appeared to be ending when West Ham went 2-0 up in the first 13 minutes but an own-goal from Hammers' keeper James Walker and a strike from Shefki Kuqi gave the Blues a 2-2 draw.

West Ham 2

Ipswich Town 2

JOE Royle today praised Darren Bent's “big-game performance” as Ipswich moved a slight step closer to the Premiership.

Town's promotion dream appeared to be ending when West Ham went 2-0 up in the first 13 minutes but an own-goal from Hammers' keeper James Walker and a strike from Shefki Kuqi gave the Blues a 2-2 draw.

Bent's persistence helped create Ipswich's second goal and Royle was delighted with the young striker's performance.

Royle said: “Darren Bent and Westy (Ian Westake) got better as the game went on.

“I have questioned Darren Bent's performances in big games, but I thought he was terrific.

“That was Darren's best game in a big match. I said to him that he had to be a big-game player and he has done that.”

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