A powerful West Brom side, inspired by a Kevin Phillips hat-trick, showed why they are among the promotion favourites with a commanding victory at Portman Road.

The Baggies had the luxury of starting with internationals John Hartson, Steve Watson and Nigel Quashie on the bench as well as £3m rated Nathan Ellington.

Arsenal target Curtis Davies made his first appearance of the season in the heart of the defence, while new boss and former Town skipper Tony Mowbray watched from the Directors' Box.

Mogga would have been impressed with what he saw, with Kevin Phillips grabbing a superb hat-trick and strike partner Diomansy Kamara bagging a brace.

Town's goal - an equaliser in the first-half - came in bizarre fashion, Davies making a challenge on Billy Clarke, only to see the ball fly off Chris Perry and into the net from well outside the box.

Clarke replaced John Macken in the Town attack at kick-off with Alex Bruce coming in at full-back, Sito making way.

Albion started the stronger and Jason De Vos did well to twice head clear from Jason Koumas deliveries. At the other end, Alan Lee sent a drive just wide.

Darren Carter tested Lewis Price from 25 yards, then Dan Harding diverted a Koumas cross behind for a corner.

Clarke went down in the box under pressure from Davies but referee Andy Woolmer waved away the lukewarm appeals from Blues and Albion broke at pace, Koumas sending a curler over the bar after Carter's pass.

Phillips was inches away from putting Albion ahead on 25 minutes, just failing to get on the end of Kamara's cross.

But the visitors made the breakthrough three minutes later, Kamara latching on to Carter's pass and firing low past Price.

Town were level on 34 minutes in bizarre circumstances. Clarke chased De Vos' header, Davies made the clearance at full stretch but the ball cannoned off Perry and past bemused 'keeper Pascal Zuberbuhler from 25 yards.

Albion were ahead again two minutes later, though. Richard Naylor gave away a free-kick out wide and Koumas' in-swinging free-kick was glanced home by predator Phillips.

The former England international almost got on the end of Zoltan Gera's short pass seconds later as the midlanders threatened to extend their lead before the break.

At the other end, Mark Noble escaped Paul Robinson's challenge but his cross beat everyone. Gera's header at the far post was diverted over by Phillips as Albion finished the half on top.

A sweeping West Brom move on 53 minutes involving Welsh international Koumas and Hungarian international Gera saw Phillips brilliantly power a header past Price for his second of the match.

Dean Bowditch immediately replaced Darren Currie, Simon Walton then picked up a yellow card for a late challenge and within seconds Albion were 4-1 up, Phillips turning provider for Kamara who rounded Price to score with ease.

A Jonathan Greening foul on Bowditch sparked a melee midway through the second-half, the Albion culprit and Naylor yellow carded.

Noble persevered down the right flank, his cross headed behind for a corner, Walton then firing over the bar.

A delicate chip from Clarke almost put Bowditch in, then Zuberbuhler had to be quick off his line to deny Clarke.

Koumas became the fourth booking of the game, quickly followed by a fifth, Bruce catching Kamara late.

Matt Richards came on for Walton on 77 minutes, Scotland international Nigel Quashie doing the same for Koumas.

Carter had the ball in the net on 86 minutes but picked up a yellow card for his troubles, the referee blowing for offside moments before he put the ball in the net and then penalising the midfielder for time-wasting.

Town kept battling to the end and had chances to reduce the arrears, Lee just failing to make solid contact but it was Phillips who had the last word, cutting inside to fire expertly past Price.