Middlesbrough record a statement victory over Ipswich Town to go back to the top

Middlesbrough sent a huge statement as they returned to the top of the Championship with a victory over promotion favourites Ipswich Town.

Rebounding from their first defeat of the season last time out, Boro beat the Tractor Boys 2-0 at the Riverside. Cedric Kirpre sent the home side in at half-time happy with an unfortunate own goal in added time. Morgan Whittaker then doubled his side’s lead ten minutes after the restart. Darragh O’Shea’s goal 15 minutes from time made for a nervy finish for the home side, but they managed to get over the line.

Rob Edwards made four changes from the side that were beaten by Portsmouth last time out, with Alan Browne, Morgan Whittaker, David Strelec and Delano Burgzorg all starting. It was a change in formation from the Boro boss, with a back four and three forwards behind Tommy Conway at striker.

Boro were looking to rebound after the defeat at Pompey, which was their first in the league this season. Ipswich, meanwhile, having hit form before the break, were searching for their first win of the season away from Portman Road.

The first half was a superb advert for Championship football, and it was Boro who took a 1-0 lead in at the interval. After a cagey opening 15 minutes or so, the game really opened up and became end to end, with both sides enjoying plenty of chances to take the lead before Cedric Kipre inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net in first half added time.

Sol Brynn was Boro’s saviour as he saved a Goerge Hurst penalty just moments before the Boro goal. That was met by a huge roar from the Boro fans behind the goal. Sammie Szmodics also saw an effort cleared off the line by Boro captain Dael Fry.

At the other end, Alex Palmer made a number of excellent saves to deny Tommy Conway, who should have done better with his finish, Alan Browne, Hayden Hackney and Delano Burgzorg. With the latter, Palmer could only spill back into the dangerzone, however, and David Strelec somehow missed the target with the goal at his mercy in the follow up.

With Kipre’s unfortunate moment just before the break though, Boro had a lead to protect in the second half. But any thought that the hosts would sit back and look to just defend that lead after the break were quickly shot down.

Having enjoyed two early half chances and signalling their intent for a second, Boro doubled their lead ten minutes after the restart. When Palmer could only push Strelec’s low cross back out in front of his goal, Whittaker followed up to fire Boro’s second.

Boro appeared to be cruising from there, and had bright moments on the counter. But falling to sleep from an Ipswich corner, they allowed O’Shea a free header at the near post as the visitors pulled one back.

That made for a nervy final ten minutes for Boro but, nor for the first time this season, they showed their ability to grind out a win. They got over the line and recorded a huge victory to rebound from that Portsmouth setback.

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