Goals

1-0: Murphy (25 – reacted quickly to blast home the rebound after Konstantopoulos saved McGoldrick’s shot)

2-0: Tabb (45+2 – headed home Bishop’s cross from the right after some neat passing)

Bookings: Vossen (21, handball), Omeruo (28, foul), McGoldrick (38, simulation), Friend (88, foul)

Referee: James Linnington (Newport): Should have sent Omeruo off and failed to award the hosts a penalty. 5

Attendance: 21,187

Entertainment: **

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-1-1)

6 Konstantopoulos: Made a great save to deny McGoldrick, but was let down by his defenders for the rebound;

6 Nsue: Struggled against the impressive Anderson and failed to really get forward and support in attack

5 Ayala: The usually strong centre-back found life difficult against Murphy and McGoldrick

4 Omeruo: Struggled from the off, could have given away a penalty and was lucky not to be sent off

5 Friend: Had a busy afternoon with a lot of Ipswich’s play coming down his side. Missed a good chance in the second half;

4 Adomah: Gave the ball away a lot in the opening stages and paid the price by being subbed at half time

6 Leadbitter: Started well, but failed to really exert any authority in the middle of the park

5 Clayton: Came up against his toughest test in Ipswich’s effective partnership of Skuse and Tabb in the holding role;

7 REACH: The only Boro player to have a go. Always positive whenever he got the ball

5 Vossen: Marked well, but wasn’t given any favours by his team-mates;

6 Bamford: Ran his socks off, but found himself isolated by several long balls over the top;

Subs

Tomlin (for Adomah, 46): Tried to inject some energy, but didn’t have the desired impact. 6

Kike (for Vossen, 62): Had a few chances, but couldn’t find the goal to get Boro back in it. 6

Veljkovic (for Omeruo, 62): Was always going to be difficult for the Serb to make an impact with Ipswich dominating in midfield. 5

Not used: Mejias, Gibson, Whitehead, Veljkovic.

Ipswich Town (4-2-3-1): Bialkowski 7; Chambers 7, Berra 7, Smith 8, Parr 7; Skuse 6 (Bru, 53, 6), Tabb 8; Anderson 8 (Sammon, 82), Bishop 7 (Ambrose, 72), McGoldrick 7; MURPHY 8.

Subs: Gerken, Hunt, Bajner, Clarke.

MAN OF THE MATCH

DARYL Murphy – The Championship’s top goalscorer caused the tightest defence several problems