Two goals from David McGoldrick sandwiched a Luke Chambers header as the Blues came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at Portman Road. Albert Adomah put the visitors in front in the 11th minute but McGoldrick lashed in a brilliant equaliser before the break, then in the second half Chambers nodded Town in front before the Blues number 10 sealed the victory in injury time.

Mick McCarthy named the expected unchanged side with keeper Dean Gerken making his home debut, while centre-half Christophe Berra and midfielders Paul Anderson and Ryan Tunnicliffe made their first starts at Portman Road. Chambers, at right-back, wore the captain’s armband.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray included ex-Town skipper Grant Leadbitter, who was to be booed by his old fans, in the centre of his midfield.

Chances were rare in a scrappy early phase with neither side gaining control. In the eighth minute Aaron Cresswell lashed a 30-yard freekick well wide.

The visitors went ahead from the game’s first significant penalty area action. David McGoldrick headed a corner from the right to the edge of the Blues area where Leadbitter sent it back in and Albert Adomah acrobatically turned it on into the net for his first Boro goal after his summer move from Bristol City.

Aside from a few corners the Blues hadn’t really threatened but as the game reached the 20-minute mark they began to get their passing going and were pushing for an equaliser.

First Cresswell’s left-wing cross was blocked just ahead of Frank Nouble, then McGoldrick played in Paul Anderson on the right of the area, Jonathan Woodgate blocking the midfielder’s strike at goal.

On 25 one-time Town target Dean Whitehead was booked for a cynical foul on McGoldrick as the Blues broke.

Town got back on terms in the 34th minute via McGoldrick’s second goal of the season, and what a strike it was. The former Forest man tricked his way past Whitehead 25 yards out before slamming a shot across keeper Jason Steele and into the net. The goal was similar to the one he scored against Leeds last month, although probably slightly bettering it.

The Blues remained on top for a spell after the goal, McGoldrick played in Nouble on the right on 38 but the linesman raised his flag for offside, moments before the Town number 10 was clattered on the edge of the box. On 41 Nouble had the ball in the net but referee James Linington adjudged that the Blues striker had committed a foul.

As the half moved into injury time Mustapha Carayol cut a cross back from the left as the visitors broke, but Tommy Smith, who scored twice in last season’s corresponding fixture, cut it out.

Just before the whistle, Anderson crossed from the right and Chambers hit a shot on the turn but too close to Steele.

The scoreline was a fair reflection of the first 45 minutes with both sides having spells on top but without overly impressing or creating too many chances.

The goals were probably better than the half deserved with McGoldrick’s strike better than his similar effort against Leeds in the last home game.

Nouble was replaced with Daryl Murphy at the break, the Irishman immediately winning an aerial ball, something the ex-Wolves man hadn’t been able to do as regularly as McCarthy would have wanted.

The Blues began the period brightly and within a couple of minutes of the restart Tunnicliffe forced Steele into a save to his left with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.

Murphy headed a Cresswell freekick from deep straight at Steele on 48, then McGoldrick was flagged offside when played in on goal midway inside the Teessiders’ half.

The visitors began to look the more threatening side, George Friend making a strong run forward, the Blues eventually getting the ball away from the edge of the box. Then, soon after, Smith blocked a strike from Carayol.

But on 57 it was the Blues who would go in front. Tunnicliffe laid the ball back to Cresswell on the left and the full-back sent in a deep first-time cross which unmarked skipper Chambers headed back across Steele and into the net for his first goal of the season.

Two minutes after the goal Murphy flicked the ball on for McGoldrick to chase but his first touch was too heavy under pressure from Woodgate.

Boro swapped Whitehead and Carayol for new signing Kei Kamara and Marvin Emnes just after the hour. Emnes was immediately into the action, Gerken coming off his line quickly to claim at the striker’s feet. Soon after, Chambers was booked for a foul on Adomah.

Carlos Edwards replaced Anderson as the Blues went looking for a third goal. On 70 a McGoldrick shot was deflected wide after good work from Tunnicliffe, Cresswell and Murphy. From the corner, Tunnicliffe’s strike was diverted behind for another flagkick.

Boro sub Kamara, making his debut for his new club, shot over in the 72nd minute after a short spell of visitors’ pressure before Berra headed a Cresswell freekick from the left well over at the far post.

McGoldrick tried to improve on his earlier goal in the 74th minute with a superb 30-yard effort which flew just wide of Steele’s left post.

Town continued to press with McGoldrick and Murphy interchanging cleverly. The Irishman just overhit a pass for Tunnicliffe on the edge of the area on 75, then Hyam found Steele’s gloves with a chipped cross having done well to get to the byline.

The Blues continued to press and looked by far the more likely scorers. On 82 Hyam should have sealed it when McGoldrick played in Murphy on the left. The Irishman sent in a low ball which Hyam rushed and missed completely from eight yards.

Jay Tabb replaced the again impressive Tunnicliffe for the final 84th minute, then Kamara shot straight at Gerken before Hyam was booked for a foul on Jacob Butterfield. On 88 Adomah headed a Kamara cross over.

With the game in injury time and with Boro pushing for an equaliser, McGoldrick made it 3-1. The excellent Murphy played in his strike partner on the left and the Blues number 10 brought the ball in on goal before slipping it past Steele.

Late on Lukas Jutkiewicz headed to Gerken but there was no way back for the Teessiders, who haven’t won at Portman Road since 1993.

After an even and not overly exciting first half, the Blues took the game to the visitors from the start of the second half and deserved to win by the margin of two goals.

Once Chambers had put Town in front, Mick McCarthy’s men ought to have had the result done and dusted before McGoldrick, who formed a far more potent strike partnership with the outstanding Murphy after the break, netted his second of the afternoon.

After Town’s slow start to the season, Tuesday’s second home game in a few days against Yeovil gives McCarthy’s men a good chance to add to today’s three points and to push on up the table.

Town: Gerken, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson (Edwards 68), Skuse, Hyam, Tunnicliffe (Tabb 84), McGoldrick, Nouble (Murphy 46). Unused: Loach, Hewitt, Wordsworth, Taylor.

Middlesbrough: Steele, Friend, Williams, Richardson, Butterfield, Leadbitter, Jutkiewicz, Whitehead (Kamara 63), Carayol (Emnes 63), Adomah, Woodgate. Unused: Leutwiler, Hoyte, Halliday, Gibson, Smallwood. Referee: James Linington (Newport IoW). Att: 15,276 (Boro: 472)

Photo: Action Images

TractorBoy666 added 18:51 - Sep 14 Well after an awful first 20 minutes, we deserved the 3 points today. Hyam fluffing his lines just indicates that he isn't a forward thinking player, and too many balls were poor ones from him today. But I was really impressed with Dave like always, he is a class striker and just someone alongside him who can run on his passes and we will away. Murphy looks better to Nouble who didn't turn up. Very pleased with this result as I expect us to get 6 points from this and Tuesdays game. A win against Yeovil now, and all of a sudden the optimism will be back!

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bluefeast added 18:51 - Sep 14 lower the prices lower the prices lower the prices lower the prices
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bluefeast added 18:54 - Sep 14 15000 people in the ground , example drop the prices by 10 quid a ticket. Loss is 150000. However gain another 5000 people makes loss of 100000. So 20000 people need to buy 5 pies each in order to make up the loss. Im up for that ......
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Robbie12345 added 18:56 - Sep 14 Great atmosphere (and game) even with just over 15k, never seen it sooo empty and I've been to like 100 games! Ticket prices must be reduced, if the club has any ambition of the playoffs at all. Whats seemed to be happening is, instead of wanting more crowd, they have been giving those really really anoyying fan-bangy things to try and hide the fact that 1000s of people are missing from the stadium.. Must get sorted asap! Looking forward to Tuesday! Another 3 points please Micky :)

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bluefeast added 18:56 - Sep 14 Buy one ticket get another half price could work well
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Pip50 added 19:24 - Sep 14 It's not the prices but the dross served up. Watched Needham v Brantham FA Cup today far more exciting.
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Y2Grae added 19:27 - Sep 14 Really glad to see us up the game in the 2nd 45 minutes, looks promising
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PimsNumber1 added 19:29 - Sep 14 Murph played the best he has done for a long time. looked up for it. Nouble was terrible, how many more chances will he be given. Nearly 22 and loads of previous clubs. Chambers and berra were superb. Berra looked out on his feet with 20 mins to go. Is he fit ? Mc G , what a clever skilful player. If he had pace he would be as good as some of the top PL players >gerken looks confident and i think I prefer him to loach for that reason . He looks assured

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village_blue added 19:58 - Sep 14 Have to agree that Nouble was abysmal in the time he was on the pitch, poor old Didsy was having to go deep into midfield to pickup the ball while Nouble was on the pitch ,however what a fantastic strike for the first goal.Things improved dramatically when Murphy entered the field of play and I think that he is the best strike partner for Didsy.
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warktheline added 20:06 - Sep 14 Not many post tonight......I guess MM and boys beat boro.Keep grinding Mick.
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StowTractorBoy added 20:07 - Sep 14 Made a change to see a Middlesbrough side come and play attacking football and for the first 20 minutes apart made for an open game. Sadly it does not look as though Nouble is the answer up front in the short term, and Murphy has surely won his place back for Tuesday. Still not absolutely sure whether Berra and Smith is better than Chambers and Smith but Mick can do little else as we badly need a right back. Chambers is doing a brilliant fill in job and great to see his enthusiasm when he scored and at the end with his right arm clenched fist salute. McGoldrick sheer class, jury still out on Anderson but Tunnicliffe impressive. Nice to have a goalkeeper that comes for crosses but my main concern is the centre of our midfield as whilst I like both Skuse and Hyam there is room for improvement from Hyam especially. Knit picking I know as all in all a great win against a Middlesbrough team on paper that looks strong. Three points on Tuesday now please.

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blueherts added 20:18 - Sep 14 Was away for the Leeds game so with our recent tendancy to squander leads was abit edgy And after 20 minutes felt more so - but joked before game that maybe we need to go behind for a change in first half Well abit of 'Dids' magic dids the trick From then on I thought we were well worth the points against a decent team - unlike Millwall who do look relegation candidates Second half we stepped up a gear and Murphy and DM were impressive up top Thought AC and LC pushed up well and some of their overlapping ( which for LC is alien) was impressive The miss by Hyam summed up his day - I like him but felt with Skuse doing his usual good job and Tunnicliffe looking a great prospect - he could have come off for Wordy Agree with the Taylor out wide right post - at least we now have some options and decent ones All in all a good result and follow it up on Tues and confidence will be high Three final points - Nouble offers next to nothing - for a pick man gets pushed off the ball too easily Leadbitter was how I remembered him The crowd in the second half really got some good atmos going and the build up of that coincided with the second goal - so yes 15,000 not great BUT at least we created some atmosphere Carry on playing like second half and maybe just maybe we will have 20k again soon OR maybe ME should go for £20 adult and £10 junior tickets ?

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WashbrookBlue added 20:57 - Sep 14 Big result. Thought back 5 were excellent, when they brought on the heavy artillery at 2-1, it was emnes, Adomah, Jukwhatshisface and Kamara up front. But we stood up to the physical challenge superbly. I thought Berra and Smith were outstanding and Chambers and Cresswell both got forward really well. Gerken's physical presence and willingness to command his box is a plus although I do think Loach is actually a better shot stopper. Hyam criticism bit harsh, thought he did lots of good stuff today but ,yes, his distribution at crucial moments lets him down. Murphy second half showing a big improvement, would have loved...er, Dids 30 yarder to have gone in. Great that Leadboots was...well, Leadboots really, lots of ball and passes but none of them ever hurt you. After a nervy week courtesy of FAI , we can look forward with confidence...who knows , with more wins like this, we may never hear from h32 again............

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stoofer added 21:33 - Sep 14 great result today. who was the drummer , brilliant beat def lifted the players and the crowd
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BrettenhamBlue added 22:16 - Sep 14
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BuckieBlue added 22:38 - Sep 14 Some on here have been crying out for a 20 goal a season man- surely in McGoldrick we have him? 3 already, and overall since he came in his ratio is about as good as DJ's was last season (minus his pens).
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Keaneish added 23:04 - Sep 14 BuckieBlue - some will cry about not having a 20 goal a season striker but McGoldrick could well fit the bill. If he does, they'll cry that the striker next to him doesn't get enough goals or isn't enough his equal. They'll also cry that there's no-one to replace him if he gets injured or they worry where the other goals are coming from. If Taylor started scoring a lot and played up front with McGoldrick they'd probably say they can't play together if they go three games without scoring!! I was sat near some fans today who were moaning after ten minutes and considering leaving after 25!!!! Funny bunch town fans! Interesting Taylor isn't getting the odd 10 or 15 minutes every game...

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essextractorboy93 added 23:18 - Sep 14 Good 3 points today and nice to see us get a few goals. Thought we were solid but not spectacular. Murphy's presence helped us create as he could hold the ball up and win headers. Nouble didn't have a good game but you can see the potential and he is only young. Thought Tunnicliffe and McGoldrick were the stand out performers but generally everyone had a good game. Also well done to the guys in the Sir Bobby Robson stand who got the crowd going, lifted us right before Chambers scored. Only 15,000 but we made lots of noise in the second half!

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kerryblue added 01:35 - Sep 15 Lets push on,great result much needed.
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kerryblue added 01:38 - Sep 15 PS Evans get your hands out of your pockets and do something for the Town Fans before you loose them,theyll never sing for a cheaper ticket.
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Sindre94 added 01:40 - Sep 15 Great win. Looking forward to visit Ipswich again on tuesday for the Yeovil and Wigan games! COYB
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LankHenners added 08:12 - Sep 15 McGoldrick proved yesterday that he is a very good finisher. We just need a bit more creativity through the midfield to help him out as he can't do it all himself (especially against tougher opponents). Cracking delivery by Cresswell for Chambers' goal!
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brittaniaman added 08:52 - Sep 15 Thought Boro looked good for the first 20mins or so, and were going to make up for last seasons thrashing !!! BUT we equalised and from then on we got on top and made sure that they made the long journey home with nothing.. Well done you Blues more of the same on Tues. ????? Good Atmosphere for a smaller crowd than usual. ?? Keep it up !!!!!!!!!!
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ericclacton added 10:07 - Sep 15 Mr Goldtrick is a clever player says i.
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neillrumsey added 10:15 - Sep 15 Great win after being one down . In McGoldrick we have a quality striker who again showed great movement touch and sublim finishing ability. We must build on this win but we need somebody to play alongside him as Nouble and Murphy are well short of what is required albeit Murphy showed up well coming off the bench. We still have no width in the team so I would like to see Taylor given a chance wide. Anderson for me is still a long way from where he needs to be and again Edwrads improved the right side when introduced. Tunnicliffe was excellent but both Hyam and Skuse had quiet games. Defence was solid including Gerken who came for crosses and commanded his box well. Reduce the ticket prices and lets get a few more people in. Ground was near empty

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