Daryl Murphy scored twice and David McGoldrick (pen) and Christophe Berra once each as second-placed Town came from behind to thrash Leeds United 4-1 at Portman Road. The visitors went ahead via Mirco Antenucci in the fourth minute but Murphy struck back on 12, then McGoldrick netted from the spot on 26, Murphy added his second just before the break and Berra added the fourth three minutes into the second half.

Berra returned from his one-match ban but Mick McCarthy named an otherwise unchanged side. The Scottish international took up his usual central defensive role with skipper Luke Chambers moving to right-back and Jonny Parr dropping to the bench.

Leeds made one change with one-time Town target Jason Pearce coming in at centre-half for the injured Giuseppe Bellusci.

The Blues, who lined-up in a 4-4-2 formation, struck the game’s first shot in the second minute but Daryl Murphy’s scuffed effort failed to test Leeds keeper Marco Silvestri.

A minute later, from their first attempt of the game, the visitors went in front. Skipper Chambers and Tommy Smith appeared to leave Liam Cooper's ball down the Leeds left for one another, allowing Stephen Warnock to escape and send over a low cross which Antenucci turned past Bartosz Bialkowski from close range. It was a poor goal to concede from the Blues’ perspective.

Town looked to get back on terms immediately, but Stephen Hunt could only head Chambers’s cross over from beyond the far post.

But the Blues weren’t behind for too long and on 12 Daryl Murphy - who first joined Town for a trial 10 years ago today - netting his 12th of the season. Jay Tabb laid the ball out to right-back Chambers, who whipped over a cross and Murphy powered a superb header past Silvestri.

Murphy threatened again on 16, Hunt’s left-wing corner landing at his feet eight yards out. Rather fortunately for the Whites the Irishman’s goal-bound shot caught a defender’s heel and deflected away from goal.

Town’s top scorer went rather less close with a strike from distance a minute later which ended up in the crowd before Warnock cleared a dangerous Mings cross from the left from inside the six-yard box. At the other end, Antenucci headed a right-wing Warnock cross straight at Bialkowski.

The Blues had been on top having got on terms and were pressing for another goal when they were awarded a 26th minute penalty. Tabb played a long ball towards Anderson just inside the area and Warnock smashed into the back of him, clattering him to ground.

Referee Mike Dean immediately pointed to the spot and McGoldrick sent a low shot into the corner of the net to Silvestri’s right as the keeper dived in the opposite direction to claim his sixth goal of the season and make it 2-1.

The Blues almost scored their third a minute later when Hunt nodded another deep Chambers cross back across goal to Murphy six yards out. The scorer of Town’s first goal took a touch but shot wide, the ball striking a defender on its way, according to the Blues but not referee Dean who gave a goalkick.

Town continued to have the better of it but without threatening Silvestri’s goal again until the 39th minute when Tabb sent McGoldrick away on the left. The striker cut in but hit his right-foot shot across the face of goal. A minute later, Tabb was booked for a foul on Adryan.

As the half moved into injury time, the Blues went 3-1 in front. Murphy completed a one-two with Anderson and broke into the area on the right before slipping the ball between Silvestri’s legs and into the net for his 13th of the season.

Referee Dean blew his whistle soon afterwards to warm applause from the delighted home support.

Having gone behind, the Blues were the better side and deserved their equaliser when it came. Leeds could have little complaint about the penalty, while Murphy’s well-worked second just before the break came as a welcome bonus.

Town hadn’t previously scored three goals in a game since the 3-0 win at Doncaster on Boxing Day and they most recently netted three times in a half in the 3-2 win at Blackpool in November last year. Striker Murphy has already matched his goals tally for last season.

Three minutes after the restart, it was 4-1. Hunt whipped over a corner from the left which Smith flicked from the near post towards the far corner of the net, Berra adding the final touch at the as it crossed the line. The last time Town scored more than three times in a game was in the 4-4 draw at Derby in October 2013.

Smith was booked for a foul on Antenucci in the 54th minute as the Leeds striker broke but the second half had been almost all Town with the visitors already having made two tactical subs.

On 55 Murphy went close to his third goal of the game, cleverly flicking McGoldrick’s chipped cross goalwards but Silvestri made a good save at his left post.

Teddy Bishop replaced Tabb on the hour with the Blues still well on top and looking for more goals. Two minutes later, Tommaso Bianchi was booked for a foul on the 18-year-old.

Unsurprisingly given their lead, Town were in confident mood, passing the ball around slickly and adding a few tricks here and there as they went looking for an opening which would bring them their fifth goal. Leeds were all over the place, looking a thoroughly demoralised side, quickly losing the ball again whenever they won it back.

On 71 Murphy cut the ball back from the right just behind Bishop, then a minute later Kevin Bru took over from Anderson, who was applauded off the field. Eight minutes later, Hunt was given a similar ovation when Conor Sammon replaced him.

Skuse shot over from 30 yards following a corner as the game moved into its final 10 minutes with the Blues still dominating. With two minutes remaining, Lewis Cook was booked for a foul on McGoldrick, the strike hitting the freekick into the wall.

In injury time, the Blues won a series of corners with Chambers heading not far wide from the last of them. Soon after referee Dean’s whistle confirmed Town’s seventh home victory of the season and probably their most impressive.

Once Berra had netted Town’s fourth goal - although Smith was also claiming it - the Blues win was never in any doubt with Leeds looking a thoroughly shambolic and dispirited bunch.

The Blues, who are now without a defeat in seven and who have lost just once in 16, again showed their character having gone behind so early but quickly got on top in the game and deserved their goals when they came. Murphy's 13th goal of the season returns him to the top of the Championship goalscorers table.

The victory, Town’s first by three goals since the visit to Doncaster on Boxing Day, sees the Blues remain in second with leaders Derby having won 3-0 at home to Brighton.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Mings, Skuse, Tabb (Bishop 60) , Anderson (Bru 72), S Hunt (Sammon 79), Murphy, McGoldrick, Unused: Gerken, Parr, St Ledger, Bajner, Sammon.

Leeds: Silvestri, Byram, Cooper, Pearce, Warnock (c), Cook, Bianchi, Mowatt, Adryan (Sharp 53), Doukara (Austin 51), Antenucci. Unused: S Taylor, Berardi, Del Fabro, Dawson, Tonge. Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral). Att: 21,489 (Leeds: 1,835).

Photo: Action Images

Matthew_Crush added 00:48 - Dec 7 Another great win from the SUPER BLUES , This is most certainly promotion form and gets you dreaming of what possibly could be .......
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muccletonjoe added 02:11 - Dec 7 Onwards and upwards
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linda16 added 06:37 - Dec 7 Another great win, onwards and upwards
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tractorkent added 06:39 - Dec 7 i feelI owe super mick an apology. I walked away from Portman Road thrilled with the performance,good movement and wonderful passing football. I doubted Mick was the man for the job and had visions of the long ball game. Ipswich were excellent today. Every player was comfortablw with the ball, Skuse looked class, Didsy was back to his best and Murph can' do no wrong.It's been a long time but i feel genuinly optimistic now. Thank MM and TC

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warktheline added 07:41 - Dec 7 Well said tractorkent, at least your man enough to admit you were wrong about the big fella. If a few more were like you there would be more than 7 pages on here this weekend. Instead the majority of them have gone into hiding, guess they're rear their negativity when we lose a game or two.
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Akaroablue added 07:45 - Dec 7 Great result, onwards and upwards, been watching the A League Arron Mooy is worth a look at! very impressive in the midfield, watched him a couple of times and has an engine for work like you wouldn't believe, plays for Melbourne City.
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battyblue added 07:58 - Dec 7 Oddball, Walktheline etc Please give it a rest every week you remind us town supporters who were not happy with MM tactics early on we were wrong about him and we don't post when we win or play well its rubbish i and most post every week,yes i am ecstatic to see us win and play how we are now but a lot of us were not happy with previous tactics and that has changed a lot of congrats to Mick and Terry for this but a lot of our earlier faults were rectified by circumstances of certain players injured eg Bishop came in because we had no one else would he have got his chance otherwise? Bart a great improvement on Gerks only got a chance through injury when Gerks really was suspect at times plus we have changed our style of play which has made for a better atmosphere in the stadium so now i a delighted and hop it continues for the rest of the season and we all realize our dreams of a return to the to the premiership so please give it a rest and lets all enjoy the success we are now achieving.

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Fat_Boy_Tim added 08:07 - Dec 7 Did anyone notice (maybe hard not to) that we seem to use the football equivilent of Rugby Union's blitz defence immediately after we've scored? It was really noticable after the penalty. It put us right on the front foot and quelled any thoughts of Leeds making an instant reply. Really impressive detail that, well done MM. (I'm aware I've referenced 3 other sports there, a bit above par maybe, doh!)

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BlueMachines added 08:48 - Dec 7 @ walktheline If you bother to look back at any of my posts in general I have supported MM and not criticised at every blip as you incorrectly state. Perhaps checking your facts would be a good place start before casting aspersions. The progress MM has made has been remarkable and credit to him and TC, but to feel the attacking football could been introduced earlier than it was doesn't make us wrong or mean we don't support the team. Even Mick Mills was saying on Radio Suffolk after tonight's game that MM was too stubborn for too long. I haven't always agreed with MM teams selection, at times always playing his favourites, despite others coming in, playing well and then get dropped again for no apparent reason, but every week I've stood on those terraces singing my heart out, supporting our team.

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warktheline added 09:39 - Dec 7 @battyblue and blue machines, you are typical anti mick, you pat the man on the back and congratulate him and then state rubbish about injuries that forced the big fella into personnel changes, that in turn produced an upturn in results. Check Mick's record at Championship level and you might just about start to realise what a top manager we have! I certainly won't be giving it a rest either, just like you didn't when we started the campaign slowly. People like you actually believe that you could manage the club better than Mick. As for Mick Mills, yes an absolute legend of a player, but not as a manager, and I think if he was honest, he too would admit Mick has proved him wrong. Look at the whole picture boys, from where we were when Mick was installed, up till today, you have no argument.

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buddsterblue added 09:52 - Dec 7 That was so impressive I'm not sure I've seen anything quite like, pass and moving, aggressive hard working, long ball every other team keeps saying, it's called clearing your lines and playing in the right half of the pitch, which Leeds didn't, too much tippy tappy in your own defensive third just asking for trouble, it ain't all barca in this league doesn't work! Fantastic mm, Tc and lads

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BlueMachines added 09:57 - Dec 7 Walktheline. I thought we were having a sensible debate. Check my posts, not anti MM in the slightest. So I'm not sure what argument I don't have???
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warktheline added 10:13 - Dec 7 How many on this forum slated Mick when he kicked out your messi ( Taylor ) and Wordsworth. I don't hear hot air Evans praising them now, oh look, the pair are not even making the first 11. Another big issue Mick got right, getting rid of bad apples.
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blueboy1981 added 10:30 - Dec 7 oddball ........ maybe by name and nature, who knows - totally unfair post to say the least. Well done all - great win - not convinced about MM on appointment, and at times since, but hey, proof of the pudding is in the eating - and who can expect better than what we've currently got ?? -and all on a shoe string budget to be fair. Great performance - keep going one and all - and ENJOY. Happy Days again.

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BlueMachines added 10:32 - Dec 7 Let's remember we are human. We don't always agree on everything. It's natural that we don't. Having a differing opinion on something to someone doesn't mean we can't respect their opinion. (Something you need to note). At the time we were crying out for some creativity and Taylor gave us a glimmer of hope he could provide that, as well as that he was working hard tracking back etc. although disappointed he left for Rotherham ultimately it's been a good decision. BUT because other creativity has been brought in. Which has been welcomed by ALL. It wasn't Taylor the person I liked but what I believed he could offer on the pitch, a spark. I don't believe Sir Alex got it right by playing Rooney in midfield a lot but doesn't mean I thought he was crap. Ultimately my point is although I may have liked to see MM go about it differently earlier than he has done, it doesn't mean I thought he was the wrong man or that I don't support him. Long may MM be in charge and fingers crossed it will be in the Prem.

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bohslegend added 10:36 - Dec 7 I am a bit disappointed that the self-titled 'Realists' can't just admit they got it wrong about MM. @warktheline is right, there are a few who not only seem to accept that MM and the team are doing fantastically well, but also that its only because MM is listening to the Realists and playing the players they wanted all along. Bizarre, @Bluemachines you say "I haven't always agreed with MM teams selection, at times always playing his favourites, despite others coming in, playing well and then get dropped again for no apparent reason" Just how back-handed of a compliment is that? Do you think MM is sitting in his office ahead of each game wondering "Ooh, Bluemachines told us not to play Tabby, do you think he'd mind if we gave him 60 mins? Crikey, I really regret letting Wordsworth go, he's be amaze-balls for us in the centre v Leeds"? FACT: MM has not changed his approach to how the team lines out just because you and the other Realists were continually pi$$ed off. Everything he has done is the mark of a talented manager who knows how to get our team to the Premier League. -Start at the back and become hard to beat? Check -Develop a work ethos which differentiates the team in the Championship from all others? Check - With ZERO CASH bring in outstanding talents that other managers didnt rate? Check - As confidence starts to build and with a solid defensive shape behind you develop a football playing team? Check You Realists wanted to jump straight the last point without appreciating that MICK KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING, and with that in mind, the rest of us with our 'Blue Tinted Glasses' on can justifiably question whether you are giving MM the credit he deserves.

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blueboy1981 added 10:37 - Dec 7 Ever heard of the Wombles - SOME will know my meaning .............
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bohslegend added 10:44 - Dec 7 Ahh Blueboy welcome back
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blueboy1981 added 10:46 - Dec 7 ......... the only so called whingers on here appear to be the forever,whatever, pro MM - having a go at genuine ITFC supporters who just happen to post it as they see it AT ALL TIMES - please or offend. In these people's minds it appears to be a crime to question MM on any front, we are just different to you people and possibly proud to be so. ENJOY
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blueboy1981 added 10:48 - Dec 7 ............... you miserable people - JUST LIKE WE All ARE.
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bohslegend added 10:49 - Dec 7 Go on then, remind us about the Wombles
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 10:51 - Dec 7 I think that most people want negative posters to think a bit more long term than laying into the team with whatever is at hand that week or day. There have been campaigns on here against Gerken, Hyam, MM, Skuse, Tabb, Anderson, Hunt, Sammon, Marcus Evans and the tea lady. Just calm it down and look at the bigger picture. For the last 16 games we have been the best team in the league. We have taken 33 points in those matches and played all of the contenders.

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BlueMachines added 11:07 - Dec 7 Well I'll do my supporting on the terraces as I always do. Our opinions may differ (although if u look at the facts of what I've said they actually don't very much) but that's the beauty of football.
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BlueMachines added 11:09 - Dec 7 And please don't insult those of us with differing opinions by putting us in the same bracket as those such as ITFCRealist who clearly posts just to wind people up. Which far too many of you rise to every week!
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BlueMachines added 11:21 - Dec 7 Fair play to those of you have agreed with every single decision MM has ever made. One day some of you may be man enough to have your own opinion and voice it too. Remember that doesn't automatically mean you don't support Ipswich Town FC!
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