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

GavTWTD added 09:32 - Dec 31 Please stop the abuse towards each other and there was no need for it to start in this thread.
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Hegansheroes added 09:42 - Dec 31 nteresting comments right the way through. Was looking at match summaries after the Norwich game & oh how some people's minds change. The change in fortune of the Town seems to have really come about with the introduction of Bishop & Bart who I think gives the back 4 much more confidence, both were enforced changes I believe. The Skuse-Hyam midfield pairing just did not work. We still need more goals from midfield & I hope Bru gets more playing time as he does look as if he may be good for a few goals. Just looked at MM's post match video & then the spoof vids which are hilarious especially MM & 'Arry. (They come up after MM's interview ends)

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truthhurts added 09:44 - Dec 31 Not our best performance of the season but another good win nonetheless. Also positive when a team can grind out the odd game here and there. Superb crowd of 26,000 which will only help. Only question is where were these extra 8-10,000 'fans' when we were struggling and needed them most... Anyway. Roll on the Prem!!!!
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JoeDickerson420 added 10:26 - Dec 31 Brilliant Result, clean sheet, + GD and 1 point from top! Keep up the Good work! @warktheline - chill out mate and concentrate on the football not so much other peoples opinions? you make your self come across far to negative all the time and also first to jump on someones balls if you dissagree with thier thoughts. converse, be possitive :)
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warktheline added 11:03 - Dec 31 @joedickerson, your right, shouldn't allow others to but a negative spin on my positive thoughts, I will chill, sit back, and totally enjoy the position, Mick McCarthy has put our proud club in.
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jalapenosteve added 11:32 - Dec 31 Another really strong performance last night but any thoughts about Teddy Bishop? Hardly got into the game...only had a few touches in the first half, and didn't do much after that. Good job Tabby and Anderson were running their hearts out!
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Blue_Meanie added 11:37 - Dec 31 Not having a pop truthurts, but a bigger crowd will not bring success to an average team, just ask Newcastle or Dirty Leeds fans. The 8-10k of 'fans' as you call the people who turned up to support clearly Town not Charlton did so due to the league postion and the idea that they would see some entertainment. What would you prefer 2nd in the league playing in front of the same die hard 14k, or a noisy 24k+ crowd mixing new/stay away fans and the old guard? The more the merrier.COYB.

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truthhurts added 11:44 - Dec 31 I agree with you Blue Meanie but the fact remains certain fans only turn up when the team is winning/being successful. That isn't support. That's glory hunting. Do love the stadium being full though! Happy New Year to all
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bluelady added 11:54 - Dec 31 Truthhurts - just remember it feels so much sweeter to those who have sat through the dross year on year :-).
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Lord_Mac added 11:57 - Dec 31 Respect to the hard core supporters, but it's hard work forking out loads of cash to see a club managed by clueless people and making kindergarten mistakes in tactics and man management, leading to defeat by ordinary sides. You have to question why you are doing it. Success breeds success and it's great to see the two seats to my left no longer empty but filled by a young lad and his Dad having a great night out. I started supporting Ipswich in the 1960s because it was a successful side playing good football, so nothing has changed really.

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Walk_the_Wark added 12:06 - Dec 31 Walktheline= silly teenager?? The so-called 'realists' are Town fans, happy that we are doing well, but aware that McCarthy has his limitations. I think he will take us up, and I'll be happy as larry. I always thought he would as he is an excellent Championship manager. However,I think big changes of playing staff, and also manager will be required if we are to stick in the Prem. That is what's called critical thinking- what this forum is here for!!!!

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bohslegend added 12:20 - Dec 31 Walk the Wark, are you kidding? Apologies Gav, don't mean to make this thread something it wasn't supposed to be, but this continually veiled threat of OTT criticism of our manager cannot go with comment. It seems that those who were 100% certain that we should sack MM at the start of the season or towards the end of last season, now say he will take us up but he won't keep us there. And if/when he does keep us there they'll say "Yeah, but he won't get us into Europe", and if/when he does that they'll most likely say "How we going to win European silverware again with this dinosaur?" It's non-stop no matter how well he does, and how many times he proves them wrong. Blue Machines thinks I don't understand that the forum is about opinions, well I do, and I'm as entitled to express my opinion as he is or anyone else, including when I disagree with him.

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beech1972 added 12:48 - Dec 31 Every time i bet on us not to win, we win, costing me a fortune, can you all have a whip round so i can keep doing until the end of the season!!!
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bluedude added 12:50 - Dec 31 Listen to the game last night it was impressive ....... I think for the Southampton game lets rest all vital players let's see the likes gerks Baiijer Stewart henshall hyam Clarke ambrose and let's see what they can do and stake their claim .... They should go out and play with no fear and that just might cause an upset
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EssexTractor added 13:06 - Dec 31 Jalapeñosteve...re your Teddy Bishop comment...it was a quiter night for the talented youngster , a part of his learning process which I am pleased to see MM allowing to continue in the first team. Because the team is playing so well and as a team it is possible for him or indeed any player to have an under par performance without seriously harming the overall outcome, and I am sure that MM knows now exactly how to use Bishop, when to sub him for his own good and that of the team. It is a long time since ITFC had such a naturally gifted young playmaking midfielder, it is a delight to see him there, but let's not expect too much of him every game.

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Macquarie added 13:21 - Dec 31 Walk the Walk - greetings from the Cotswolds, where, astonishingly, Wolves fans lurk. They'll tell you not only that McCarthy is a good manager whom they wish was at the Mol still, but that he did an excellent job of keeeping the side in the Premiership.
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warktheline added 14:38 - Dec 31 Well said Macquarie, don't waste your time on Walk the wark ,aka goal post mover. Just one of the anti-Mick bridgade, who branded him a dinosaur. One day these boys will wake up and realise what a huge task this man took on, and succeeded, where most would have failed. Bottom of the league, well adrift, no money, squad full of highly paid wasters, many on loans, attendances falling, and confidence at Rock bottom.

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NoelTheDub added 15:08 - Dec 31 Im delighted to be kept quiet over the last number of months and long may this last but reading some posts I have to say when I and some others were calling for a change of keeper,break up the negative partnership of Hyam/Skuse,dont bring on defenders at 1 0 with 15min to go and we all agree what happens then.I do believe that sometimes a suspension or an injury in some cases the manager has to throw a kid on and sees something maybe you didnt see on the training ground that forward minded midfielder we were crying out for,and that makes a huge difference to our team in my view.Micks subs over the last months have changed its more positive and great to see.Its amazing times at our club and boy have we all suffered but lets enjoy this, try stick together even if we dont see eye to eye.Have a super New Year everyone enjoy.COYB..

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mickymacsbarmyarmy added 15:28 - Dec 31 Have some of you no idea just what m.m & t.c have accomplished since they came here..I honestly believe that with the resources hes had to work with after the calamitous spells of keane & jewell, mouriniho wouldnt have been able to achieve what mick has under the same constraints.would go as far as saying there probably wouldnt have been an itfc as without doubt relegation would have followed & probably bankruptcy to!!!..Maybe if the ultimate is achieved come may 2nd maybe one of the two stands not named after previous managers could be the mick mccarthy stand

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crossyIP2 added 16:56 - Dec 31 http://forum.charltonlife.com/discussion/65587/ipswich-good-luck-to-em An interesting read plus the odd spur grapes comments of course ;-) Happy new year to all twtd members, best fan site around keep up the good work! 👍
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dusth added 18:39 - Dec 31 Truthhurts. I have been a supporter since 1961 (First game Sheffield Wednesday I Town 4 at Hillsborough). Supporters come and go but if blue is in your veins you will always come back and always know the score on Saturday evening. Anybody who turns up and cheers their guts out for ITFC is a supporter, whenever. End of.
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oldegold added 19:20 - Dec 31 These posts should be a lot of fun as they are expressions of peoples opinions...we agree and we can disagree but we don't take to offending people who are Town supporters and cut from the same cloth. I think bohslegend and warkthe line need to chill out, cut out the hate element of their jibes and respect without resorting to offending fellow supporters. Come on chaps we all love our team and let's just be thankful that we have for the first time since 2004/2005 aseason which can go all the way to the wire. Happy new years ALL Blues fans wherever you are and greetings from Milan, Italy..

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BillBlue added 09:01 - Jan 1 warktheline added 11:03 - Dec 31 "@joedickerson, your right, shouldn't allow others to but a negative spin on my positive thoughts, I will chill, sit back, and totally enjoy the position, Mick McCarthy has put our proud club in." Very well said Warky, this is what a lot of people have een asking for, including your old sidekick who comes over like a red rag to a bull to you, keep it up and you will bring this Forum back to what it used to be - an enjoyment to be anticipated. I think I have mentioned on here before that I am housebound so Phil's report and fellow commentators words on here are my 'Match Day' ecperience so, to me, they are important and I am certain you will enjoy expressing your comments more too and the Town remain just as importaant to me as they always were. Good luck. COYB

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BillBlue added 09:18 - Jan 1 bohslegend. You are still biting the bullet, totally unbeccessaerily, people are submitting their well considered opinions and you immediately react. We all love the Town and we all want the very best for it and that is the cement which should hold us together. Please take a leaf out of Warky's book and follow his lead - it might even save you a stomach ulcer - and it wou;d certainly brighten our day up too, reading all this aggravation is not pleasant, so why not just try chilling out for a while and I bet you will feel happier.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 10:26 - Jan 1 Let us remember the forum is for debate, It's how that debate is sometimes conducted that's the issue. Name calling is not needed and is indeed childish, we can't however all agree on everything. A lot if rhetoric on here but so often people dodge or ignore points that people raise and sling mud instead. Lets not call each other losers, right now we are winners all of us and lets hope it continues to be the case for the next 22 games. Happy new year to all Super blues fans everywhere. COYB!

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