Tommy Smith, Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick were on target as the Blues beat Charlton 3-0 at Portman Road to claim their first double of the season. Smith put Town in front in the 31st minute, Murphy added the second just before the hour and McGoldrick, who earlier had hit both posts and the bar, netted the third in the final minute.

Town boss Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side for the third game running, however, left-back Tyrone Mings was back in the squad and on the bench in place of Matt Clarke.

Charlton were forced into a late change when defender Oguchi Onyewu suffered a knock in the warm-up and was replaced by Joseph Gomez. Many in the crowd won’t have realised with the Portman Road PA out of action. Youngster Terell Thomas was added to the bench.

The visitors created the first opening of the game in the first minute when Johann Berg Gudmundsson crossed from the right and Jordan Cousins hit the side-netting from a very tight angle on the left.

But it was soon the Blues putting the Addicks under pressure. A Daryl Murphy shot deflected wide, then from the corner Tommy Smith looped a header into Charlton keeper Neil Etheridge’s arms.

On eight, Murphy was fouled by Andre Bikey just outside the area to the right. David McGoldrick curled the freekick against Etheridge’s left post and rather fortunately to a Charlton defender, who cleared.

Gudmundsson curled a 20-yard shot just past Bartosz Bialkowski’s right post in the 18th minute with the keeper scrambling across his area, but in the main Town were continuing to present the greater threat.

McGoldrick was almost handed a chance in the 23rd minute after Paul Anderson had crossed from the left and the ball was half-cleared to the edge of the area but just beyond the Blues striker, who a minute later dragged a left-foot shot wide from the edge of the box.

The Blues continued to push for the opening goal. On 31 Anderson’s dangerous right-wing cross was turned behind at the near post and from the corner a Charlton boot just prevented Christophe Berra from adding a final touch to skipper Luke Chambers’s header.

And from the resultant flag-kick the Blues went in front. Chambers nodded down Jay Tabb’s ball in from the left, Murphy mis-hit a shot which found Tommy Smith, who hooked into the roof of the net from close range.

The Addicks threatened to get back on terms in the 38th minute when Cousins played George Tucudean through on goal but Bialkowski was off his line quickly to block. Gudmundsson’s looping follow-up was headed off the line by Berra.

Moments later, with the visitors beginning to look more dangerous, Chris Solley crossed from the right and Tucudean turned the ball well over when he ought to have done better.

As the game moved into injury time McGoldrick hit the post for a second time from a freekick. This time the striker curled a shot on to the left post, off the back of the diving Etheridge and wide.

Soon after, the whistle went to warm applause from the biggest home crowd of the season, 26,157, happy with their side’s first-half display and 1-0 half-time lead.

The Blues had been on top for the most part and had deserved their lead when it came via Tommy Smith’s second goal in two games.

Town taking the lead saw Charlton start to play with less restraint and threatened on a couple of occasions, while McGoldrick was hugely unlucky not to have scored with at least one of his excellent freekicks.

The sides took to the field for the second half to cricket-like applause with the PA still silent.

Five minutes after the restart Gudmundsson turned Bishop midway inside the Town half and brought the ball forward before hitting a low shot straight at Bialkowski.

Town, who had started the second half rather slowly, were caught on the break in the 50th minute, Gudmundsson feeding Tucudean but Berra got back to superbly dispossess the Romanian. A minute later, McGoldrick was yellow-carded for a wild lunge at Gomez.

Addicks skipper Johnnie Jackson headed Tucudean’s right-wing cross over at the far post in the 57th minute with the visitors continuing to have the better of the second period.

But just before the hour the Blues increased their lead. Following a Tabb corner on the left, the ball reached Anderson on the right, just outside the area. The winger smashed a low ball into the area, Chambers flicked it on and McGoldrick dived to nod, almost unbelievably, against the bar but Murphy was on hand to head home his 17th goal of the season.

The goal had come against the run of play since the break, but Town were soon looking for a third, Tabb cleverly playing in McGoldrick, who hit his shot well over. The Blues’ number 10 deserved a goal for his overall performance and having claimed an unusual hat-trick by hitting both posts and the bar.

Bialkowski saved from Gudmundsson at his near post on 65, then from the corner Jackson flicked a header across the Town six-yard box but with no one able to add the final touch. On 70 Stephen Hunt replaced Anderson, while Charlton introduced Frederic Bulot for Jackson.

Teddy Bishop shot well over after a Hunt corner had been cleared to him on the edge of the box in the 78th minute with Town’s lead looking in little danger. For Charlton, Vetokele headed well over from a cross from the right.

Smith was booked for a foul on Vetokele in the 82nd minute and from the freekick Berra cleared after the Angolan international striker had knocked the ball back across the six-yard box.

Two minutes later, Kevin Bru replaced Bishop, then Tucudean was booked for a dive inside the Blues box.

In the final minute of scheduled time McGoldrick finally got the goal his performance had deserved, his first from open play since November 1st.

Murphy turned the ball into his strike partner’s path and McGoldrick flicked it past Etheridge and into the net for his seventh of the season.

With the game over as a contest, Charlton heads dropped and the Blues went looking for more goals, Tal Ben Haim doing well to get in ahead of McGoldrick from Murphy’s left-sided cross.

McGoldrick should have made it 4-0 moments later when he tricked his way past a defender and into the area but scuffed his chip at Etheridge. The Blues striker got to the loose ball and cut it back to Bru but his low shot was blocked.

Noel Hunt replaced McGoldrick for the final moments and wasn’t far from repeating his dramatic late goal at the Valley a month ago when he flicked a header just wide. Soon after Town’s ninth home victory of the season was confirmed by the referee’s whistle.

The second-placed Blues - who were being watched by their biggest home crowd in almost four years - were well worth the win, which sees them move a point behind leaders Bournemouth, although it was mostly a case of winning a battle rather than playing fluent football.

Having established their lead in the first half, they repelled Charlton’s brief fightback after the break and once Murphy had made it 2-0 there was little doubt where the points were going.

McGoldrick fully deserved his goal when it came and in the end the scoreline could have been even more comfortable.

Third-placed Derby, who are at Portman Road a week on Saturday, beat Leeds 2-0 at home and are two points behind the Blues, who are now unbeaten in 11, having won eight.

Before the Rams are in Suffolk, the Blues have the diversion of an FA Cup third round tie at Southampton on Sunday and given their current form, who’s to say they won’t pull off an upset?

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Parr, Skuse, Tabb, Bishop (Bru 84), Anderson (S Hunt 70), Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Ming, Ambrose, N Hunt, Sammon.

Charlton: Etheridge, Gomez, Bikey, Ben Haim, Solly, Gudmundsson, Buyens, Jackson (Bulot 70), Cousins, Vetokele, Tucudean. Unused: Pope, Wilson, Fox, Pigott, Thomas, Ahearne-Grant. Referee: Christopher Kavanagh (Lancashire). Att: 26,157 (Charlton: 1,023)

Photo: Action Images

Cakeman added 23:43 - Dec 30 Difficult to pick out man of match as all worked really hard again as a unit. I cannot believe how much Tommy Smith has improved over the last two seasons. Back in the dark days I really thought his days at Championship level were over but how wrong I was and what a turnaround. Really well done Tommy for the obvious effort you have evidently put in to improve your game to this very high level. I also thought Tommy was up there with the best of the performers tonight. PS I really hope we can somehow come to an agreement with Leeds to get Noel Hunt to return. We haven't seen much of him but I think he is the ideal type of squad player we need and with such enthusiasm.

4

Hatman added 23:47 - Dec 30 Consistent opinion here which I agree with - not at our best, so still coming away with a 3 - 0 win is a great outcome! Dids so unlucky striking woodwork 3 times, had the look of a man that it just wasn't going to happen for him tonight, then he finally tucks away a great finish. Well deserved, hopefully that will set him off on a run now. Berra MOTM, all the back 4 superb. Southampton will be fun..., Derby is huge!!

4

IvorFeeling added 23:52 - Dec 30 Professional and as most have said without us being at our best. Cleary Noel Hunt doesn't want to leave judging by his reaction at the end but who could blame him? Happy days are back at PR. 12 months ago Burnely travelled to Southampton in the 3rd round of the FA Cup on 47 points having lost 3 just 3 games (sound familar) They put up a good fight but went down 4-3 but then did't lose another match until late March. Coincidence or not there are many of us now that totally believe in the team and the club again and that feels great. COYB

6

BlueMachines added 00:03 - Dec 31 Jeez. Some people on here! Keyboard warriors spring to mind! I haven't agreed with all MM's decisions as I've said before. I didn't like Hyam and Skuse as our centre midfield partnership and that was from day 1 of last season at Reading away. I think most would agree that a more forward thinking player has brought a different dimension to our team. However, I don't think MM cared what I thought as I've been accused of before, yet also being proved right on the Hyam/Skuse partnership also doesn't mean I think I know better than MM. But, let people have their opinions and stop bickering. It's worse than a playground on here. Blueboy/Pinewoodblueboy you are clearly the same person, but I respect that you have your opinion, whatever that may be. Warktheline, how about commenting on the team rather than your first post which is so immature! Let people have an opinion, by all means debate it but for goodness sake grow up! Back onto football, Murphy always looked better in my eyes under Jewell when he was played up front and not on the wing. Now full of confidence and playing with an excellent partner he is really blossoming. Great to see!!

5

nelsontractor added 00:16 - Dec 31 my first game in almost 2 season,s,i was so nervous today,i have had season tickets in the keane and jewell days,i was so happy to see almost every seat taken in the ground tonight,hope it stays that way for the rest of the season,i now have a man crush on mr berra,the man is a beast,ipswich till we die
6

tractorkent added 00:20 - Dec 31 how does this sound to everyone peeps? sell Mings for 8 to 10 million and use the money to buy a couple of quality players. I was so impressed with Parr tonight.Don't all jump down my throat, i'm just thinking out loud.
1

IvorFeeling added 00:29 - Dec 31 Looking from a pure business perspective TractorKent the PL is worth about 60mil so keep all of your best players is the best policy and try to add where possible. We are a very attractive proposition at the moment but any player ther comes in must be better and also not affect the team spirit. Selling Mings or any of the current 15/16 matchday squad would send out the wrong signal to the players and the opposition. ME knows that he has, for the first time a shot at the PL - can't think he will give that up lightly.

9

BillBlue added 00:36 - Dec 31 BlueMachines. I concur. I very seldom bother to come on here these days simply because of that selfish brat who goes on and on and on. And on. Grow up is far too weak an expression for a person of that nature but well said anyway. All of this nonsense because he does not understand that Blueboy has, and is sometimes entitled to express, a different opinion to the one he holds but which, in all likelihood, goes way over his head in any case. Blueboy, please do not leave you are one of the articulate people on here who can express a different opinion and sometimes you do! Do not let that little turd effect you, drive him away and remember no fight is over until you have won it! This is a very exciting time for all true Town fans and we must not let one or two very selfish people divide us, it is our team who are doing well so while we regain our pride let us all put a stop to this bickering and get fully behind The Town MM, TC and the boys and, yes, I am a convert too, I did not want him either but at this point in time I am very pleased he is HERE! COYB

-1

carsey added 00:58 - Dec 31 On a totally different subject - has anyone else read the so called match report on the BBC Sport site? Thought I would have a look at the stats and it seems their reporter must have been at a different match, either that or he/she has no idea what they were watching. "Daryl Murphy headed home David McGoldrick's corner from close range to double Ipswich's lead after the break." - I thought Tabb took the corner and DM headed it onto the bar. "Mick McCarthy's men were dominant and McGoldrick, who hit the crossbar three times during the match, completed a satisfactory evening for the hosts as he slotted home....." I'm sure he hit each post with free kicks and the bar once with the above mentioned header. I may be accused of being picky but why bother writing anything at all if you can't get the basics correct.

6

clint_eastwood added 01:24 - Dec 31
2

bohslegend added 02:22 - Dec 31 BillBlue glad you're enjoying following Ipswich again. Huge credit to MM and TC for restoring your faith apart from managing and coaching the team to success, not sure which was more difficult. "We must not let one or two selfish people divide us" you say. Isn't that precisely what the noisy minority were trying to do in the early days of the season when MM was laying the foundations for this great season? Now the blue-tinted specs brigade members such as myself and a few others would sincerely like to see you Realists now eat some humble pie without making excuses. You are welcome back to the ranks of supporters who support through thick and thin; hope it doesn't look like you are jumping on the bandwagon now...

-1

KiwiTractor added 02:37 - Dec 31 Well done lads, great result. Just loving these clean sheets at the moment - how much of a difference has Bart made since he came in .......... surely not a coincidence. We have 5 quality defenders to choose from in this squad, and Bart is certainly complementing them. So happy to see Didsy score again too.
4

BillBlue added 05:10 - Dec 31 Bohslegend. Well here you go again! A total lack of understanding what a Forum is all about. No one is meant to slavishly agree with everybody else and if you see something with which you disagree the sole object of the Forum is to give you the opportunity of saying what your disagreement is. You are harping back to the days of MM's favouritism, lack of ability in making substitute changes work, his getting a goal very early on then letting them overrun us until we lost, THAT was the type of thing I for one was going on about. Fortunately, he has aquired some good players and briliantly moulded them into a good solid team and i have given him credit for that and will back him right through to the next level. He is a good Championshio Manager no doubt and as I have aleady said he has given us our pride back into our Club which had been missing for years. However, no matter how far he takes us he will only be able to take us so far because IMO there is a limit to his ability so he will never, ever, be able to get us into the Champions League (everybody's dream) for he is lacking in one area, he does not have the 'Killer Instinct' to finish the oposing team off when you have them down and that is probably due to a deep down fear of going for it and losing, Sorry, but they are my thoughts and I believe I am right to express them but that in no way will stop my excitement of what is happening right now and how well he is doing. Now, why don't you people understand that all people are different, start maturing and stop taking the pleasure away from what is so ectingly happeningarund us?

-2

Derdunka_ITFC added 07:33 - Dec 31 Honestly think we should be thinking one step at a time we got derby next who are probably the best side that we will play against and as for MM taking us into the champions league i think theres alot more than just his ability stopping us from that like the 100s of millions the bigger clubs spend to get there one dream at a time lets just get promoted
4

warktheline added 07:34 - Dec 31 Bluemachines, it's very immature to call people deluded, foolish and living in cloud cookoo land, when some of us were attempting to express our support and faith in a manager who from day one, has quite clearly been leading us in the right direction, therefore people like yourself who have been happy to chuck in your immature comments, more often than not, knee jerk, without a clue for the overall picture, can jog on!!!!!!

0

warktheline added 07:50 - Dec 31 Blueboy, if that is you using different names, and I believe, it is not the first time you've done this, then any respect I had for you has gone. Your ego may think its needed on this forum, but believe me, it isn't.
0

bobble added 08:03 - Dec 31 we finally have a very good goalie and a decent defence..but beware the rams . but they do owe us a league championship due to points changes..........it feels like the ipswich of the 80s when us fans never really thought about losing...
3

DiamondGezzer added 08:31 - Dec 31 Adds a whole new meaning to a Happy New Year !
2

buddsterblue added 08:32 - Dec 31 Sorry blue boy sausage fingers I don't have an opinion on the argument mistake just scrolling through, I'm a believer in say what you feel;)
2

dirtydingusmagee added 08:36 - Dec 31 another good result, this team are producing the consistency we have lacked in past, and they all play for each other.Hopefully we can keep the players and a settled team.Its great to see the gate numbers are on the up too.Still only halfway ,but its looking promising, Other years we have started poorly and improved after Christmas,We've missed out on playoffs because of poor starts.I think that now McGoldrick has scored again he will get back to scoring,he could have had more last night . Keep it up Big Mick COYB .

3

bluelady added 08:39 - Dec 31 We are not a team built on flair, no big names or big money players, far better than that we are a team built of players who believe! Players who wear the shirt with pride and who want to be part of this journey. Gone are the days of our team built on loan players who could give a scoobie about playing for us. The entire squad is built on players who play for the team not individual glory. I felt proud of my team last night, a feeling I haven't had in many years now. You only have to look at Murhpy towards the end of the game, he could have had a chance of goal 18 but he wanted to give his striking partner a chance to regain that confidence I'm front of goal, didn't quite pay off I'm sure it helped to further cement that partnership. Happy happy days!

9

Orraman added 08:57 - Dec 31 In the event of the unthinkable and either Daryll or Didz gets injured, then move Tommy Smith up front with a back line of Parr Chambers Berra and Mings. Sorted!! Seriously though what a fantastic atmosphere at PR last night. It was reminiscent of long gone European nights. The football might not have been nearly as good but the atmosphere from start to finish was unsurpassable. An amazing final 10 minutes saw Portman Rd rocking and I would think the whole of Ipswich was rocking at around 9.35 last night. This level of performance from the crowd will go a long way to lifting us to the Premier League. Fantastic team spirit too as the players were lining up to provide Didz with the chance to score and as he left the field he must have been very aware of the love the fans have for him. Now need to reinforce all this hard work by beating Derby on 10th Jan and giving a bit more breathing space between the top two and the chasing pack.

3

StochesStotasBlewe added 09:15 - Dec 31 BlueMachines. I,m just me, not blueboy. Isn,t it great we all have different opinions though, would be boring as hell otherwise. Onwards & hopefully continue upwards for this great club of OURS. COYB,s.
1

Steelmonkey added 09:30 - Dec 31 Wishing our great Team, all our fans, and the guys who put this site together a Very Happy New Year. COYB'S.
3

TomGarneys added 09:31 - Dec 31 Any similarities to the early days when Bobby Robson was building his magnificent teams?
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls