First-half goals from Daryl Murphy and Jay Tabb saw the Blues to an impressive 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Portman Road to return to second in the Championship. Murphy netted a rebound from close range in the 25th minute and Tabb headed home the second deep into first-half injury time.

Jonny Parr replaced Tyrone Mings at left-back in an otherwise unchanged Town side. Mings missed out with an infected toe, along with Noel Hunt who took a knock in training. Former Blues skipper Grant Leadbitter started for the visitors.

Tommy Smith headed an early Paul Anderson freekick not far wide as the Blues started the stronger.

Anderson went close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute when he latched onto Murphy’s header on the right, lobbed a defender as he cut in but looped his left-foot shot over.

The Teessiders first threatened in the 14th minute but Daniel Ayala’s header flew well wide of Bartosz Bialkowski’s goal.

On 21 Boro striker Jelle Vossen was booked for blocking an Anderson freekick with his hands at a distance of only around six yards. The subsequent freekick was laid short to McGoldrick, who lashed well over.

The Blues went ahead in the 25th minute with Murphy once again the man on the scoresheet. Teddy Bishop played a clever pass down the left to Tabb, who cut the ball back to McGoldrick 10 yards out.

Boro keeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos stopped his low shot with his toe, but Murphy slammed home his 14th goal of the season from the edge of the six-yard box.

Three minutes after the goal Boro defender Ken Omeruo was booked for tripping Anderson and then McGoldrick as the Blues broke.

Boro were exceptionally fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty in the 38th minute when McGoldrick cut inside Omeruo, who tripped to the Town striker.

It looked the most blatant of blatant spotkicks but incredibly referee James Linington gave a freekick against McGoldrick and booked him for diving, much to the frontman’s amazement.

Had Omeruo been penalised the on-loan Chelsea man would almost certainly have been shown a second yellow card.

Boro, who had been somewhat underwhelming throughout the opening period, weren’t too far from an equaliser when Albert Adomah glanced Adam Reach’s left-wing cross wide.

Deep in injury time, moments before the referee’s whistle, the Blues increased their lead.

After an exchange of passes also involving skipper Luke Chambers and McGoldrick, Bishop, who had been outstanding throughout the half, whipped over a cross from the right and smallest-man-on-the-pitch Tabb threw himself between the Boro centre-halves to power home a superb header.

The two-goal lead was the least the Blues deserved after a half which they had dominated.

The third goal which might have come had referee Linington awarded what was a clear penalty when McGoldrick - who along with Murphy had given the Boro backline a very difficult 45 minutes - was fouled.

At the other end, Boro, who could well have been down to 10 men after that incident, had rarely threatened Bialkowski’s goal.

Boro replaced Adomah with Lee Tomlin at half-time and four minutes after the restart Chambers headed an Anderson freekick straight at Konstantopoulos.

In the 51st minute George Friend played a one-two and broke into the area but scuffed his shot to Bialkowski. Two minutes later Cole Skuse was replaced by Kevin Bru, the former Bristol City man having picked up a knock.

The Teessiders had started the half on the front foot and created an opening in the 54th minute when Bamford found Reach in space on the left. The midfielder’s low cross found Vossen, who flicked the ball across goal but to no one and Tabb cleared.

Omeruo astonishingly avoided a second yellow card for a second time in the 62nd minute when he felled Bishop as the youngster broke through at pace as he latched onto a McGoldrick pass. Much to the continued frustration of the Town players and crowd, referee Linington gave the freekick but kept his cards in his pocket.

While the Blues prepared to take the freekick Boro manager Aitor Karanka sensibly removed Omeruo, replacing him with Milos Veljkovic. Kike also took over from Vossen.

On 64, Christophe Berra headed a Reach effort from distance out of the six-yard box with Bialkowski out of his ground. The ball looked to be going wide in any case.

Town were twice within a whisker of making it 3-0 in the 70th minute when Leadbitter cleared Murphy’s header from Tabb’s left-sided corner off the line. The loose ball fell to Smith but his shot across goal struck the foot of the post and bounced away from Berra.

Darren Ambrose replaced the tiring but excellent Bishop in the 71st minute prior to ex-Norwich defender Daniel Ayala hooking a corner well over for the visitors, who had shown more fight after the break but had never seriously tested Bialkowski.

Anderson shot just wide from distance on 77, then two minutes later McGoldrick chested the ball to Ambrose who also hit an effort wide from well out.

After Kike had flicked Reach’s cross from the left wide, Parr turning the ball out at the far post, Conor Sammon replaced Anderson, who looked to have suffered a knock. From the corner, Friend headed well wide.

As the game entered its final three minutes Friend was booked for a foul on Bru. Ambrose hit a powerful, low 30-yard freekick but Konstantoulos was equal to it.

In injury time, Tomlin shot straight at Bialkowski but the Blues weren’t to be denied their eighth home win of the season and second place in the table going into Christmas.

The victory was never in any real doubt once Tabb had netted his brilliant first goal of the season just before the break.

Town had been well on top in the first half - when they might have been three in front had they been awarded the penalty - and comfortably repelled Boro’s second-half fightback with Bialkowski rarely significantly tested.

Given the quality of the opposition and their previous record on the road, the result is as good as any achieved by the Blues this season and Mick McCarthy’s side look more and more like serious promotion challengers with every game that passes.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Parr, Smith, Berra, Skuse (Bru 46), Bishop (Ambrose 71), Tabb, Anderson, Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Clarke, S Hunt, Bajner.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Nsue, Ayala, Omeruo (Veljkovic 62), Friend, Reach, Clayton, Leadbitter, Adomah, Vossen (Kike 62), Bamford. Unused: Mejias, Gibson, Kike, Tomlin, Whitehead, Wildschut. Referee: James Linington (Newport, IoW). Att: 21,187. (Boro: 1,111).

Photo: Action Images

Fatcatevans added 19:48 - Dec 20 Blues and Trues. U need to read alter karankas comments before prejudging him! He was excellent in defeat and praised the town, the bish in particular . Fair play to the man and the boro fans
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warktheline added 20:01 - Dec 20 One word.....FORTRESS.
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chepstowblue added 20:04 - Dec 20 Even i am now starting to believe that a top 10 finish is well within us( take with a pinch of salt you sensitive souls!!. Terrific win today. What we are achieving at present is remarkable,that lovely feeling of belief and confidence is growing each week,backed by a steely resolve. Its been many years since i looked forward to a game as much as i do boxing day. Fantastic effort and huge credit to all. Lets keep it going.

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BillBlue added 20:06 - Dec 20 Fatcat. This is actually what Karanka had to say. "Aitor Karanka said he was "embarrassed" by his team's performance against Ipswich Town. The hosts ran out emphatic 2-0 winners at Portman Road as Boro slipped from second to fourth in the Championship table. It was only the club's second defeat in 17 matches and the result ended an eight-game unbeaten run. Ipswich took the lead through Daryl Murphy in the 25 minute and Jay Tabb made it 2-0 in first half stoppage time. Karanka pulled no punches in his assessment of his team's performance but did admit the result could proved to be a useful reality check after several impressive victories. "I have two feelings about this game," he said. "Firstly, I am embarrassed because the performance was very, very poor and, secondly, I am — not pleased, because when you lose a game you can't be pleased or happy — but I think we needed a result like this. "That's because one week ago we were at the Riverside and I think the players were thinking we are a Premier League team or a Champions League team, but now I think this is a good alarm for us to wake up and know where we are and who we are." What particularly angered Karanka was the nature of Ipswich's goals and the fact that 18-year-old Teddy Bishop was one of their best players. Everything was wrong," said the Boro boss. "We showed the players many images of Murphy and told them for 10 or 15 minutes in a meeting that he is their top scorer. Then, the first ball he gets, he scores one goal. "Then, Bishop, 18-years-old, is the best player on the pitch and he is joking with our players because he was playing in the way that he wanted to play. "Also, the player who scored with a header (Tabb) was something like 5ft 5 ins. They wanted to win the game and we again have thought we are better than we are. "That's the most important message, the attitude has to be right. "The attitude was not good and that is something that we have to change for the next game on Friday. "We have seen that when this team has a bad performance the following one is good so I would like to think we will be good against Nottingham Forest. "It's impossible to take anything good from today - but this is a good alarm to wake us up. I can see no single word of praise there, can you? What I wrote in response to this lack of character was: "I am rather surprised and disappointed that Mr Karanka has not offered a word of praise nor goodwill to Ipswich for their good performance. This was a very big match for both sides and openly admitted as such and a 2-0 win with that clear sheet is a good victory by any standards and, add to that a very clear penalty which would have led to the first of two Red Cards, it might have become a mighty upheaval which would have left something of which to be embarrassed. Not enough Manager's offer praise when beaten and for us this year? Only two so far! Good luck to all of you 1,111 Boro fans who braved that relentless journey especially the A14 bit, I take my hat off to you. You are a very good team and will still be there when it matters so good luck to you all."

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Cakeman added 20:15 - Dec 20 Tremendous win and thoroughly ruthless. Grant Deadbeaters team resorted to numerous fouls to try to stem the tide but failed miserably. I thought all wearing the Blue shirt with pride played very well, the effort from all was there to be seen. Very well done lads. We are playing with much confidence and fear no-one. Hopefully we can continue. We are beginning to play with the belief that Leicester had last season when they built up a good head of steam. My only grizzle of the afternoon was with that apology of a referee! What a complete incompetent piece of soil (polite and certainly not the word I used this afternoon) he was. He was a prime example of a small time Charlie trying to make himself noticed and be bigger than the game. Rest assured ref, you were noticed and hopefully by the assessors who must have thought they were watching Basil Fawlty instead!

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Steelmonkey added 20:16 - Dec 20 No Karanka, you are a good side, but today we were a class above them. At no point did i think they would get back at us, we contained any threat they could throw at us. MM and TC what a team you are building. COYB's.
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warktheline added 20:16 - Dec 20 Surely no doubting Mick's credentials now boys! Sunderland, Wolves, and now Ipswich. A hatrick of promotions looks on the cards. me thinks.
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Lord_Mac added 20:19 - Dec 20 @BillBlue - Well, I guess you can read what Karanka said in different ways. It's tunnel vision really, seeing it just from his perspective. but I think there's a backhanded complement in there somewhere. At least he didn't complain that we didn't conform to the opposition's preferred way of playing, like most of them do. I love the image of them studying photographs of our players - with all those beards they all look the same, so no wonder the opposition are confused!

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runaround added 20:23 - Dec 20 One f the most complete performances I have seen from an ITFC team in a long time. Every player played their part, all played well & we made a very good Middlesbrough side look ordinary. A long way to go yet but we really do look like a promotion team. Long may it continue & it's just great, after 10 years of mediocrity to be looking at promotion challenge. Well done to all concerned & a happy xmas to all ITFC fans & employees, players & mangement

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BillBlue added 20:28 - Dec 20 LordMac. Yes that tickled me too! But as far as a back handed compliment, as I read it he is blaming his player's for being inferior to ours. As a comparison read his opposite numbers comments though of course he did win. However, in view of what had been said I felt FatCat wrong to take BlueandTrue to task, not that I necessarily agree with either of them!
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runningout added 20:29 - Dec 20 if we keep the pressure on the clubs around us by nicking 3 points, then who knows where we will be come the end of this season..
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TimmyH added 20:29 - Dec 20 @warktheline - can certainly understand your optimism, very consistent with only 1 defeat in 18 but we're only half way through the season and our mental toughness will be tested as we particularly head in towards February/March - saying that though it's the same for other clubs. I'd be very surprised to see Brentford in the top 3 come that time. So far what I've seen so far this season it will be about what 2 clubs can 'grind' out the points for automatic qualification from these: Bournemouth, Derby, Boro and ourselves (I wouldn't rule out a run from the budgies either). All looking great for a interesting end of the season!!

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carsey added 20:39 - Dec 20 Couldn't get to the game today but for a change I didn't feel like we were going to concede once we had taken the lead. Have been looking at the 'boro forum and they are being very complimentary about Ipswich Town , how organized we are and how much the boys in blue wanted it. Sounds like everyone should be well pleased with themselves. A win at Brentford on Boxing Day and I will start believing automatic promotion is a reality. COYB

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BillBlue added 20:39 - Dec 20 So why just a negative response FatCat? Do you not agree with what I am saying? You were quick enough of the mark with your previous comment.
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IITFC1948 added 20:48 - Dec 20 No Mings to-day and we beat a team that where 2nd in the table, that cost NOTHING Not bad that
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rexron added 20:49 - Dec 20 Jay Tabb, what a lovely little player Mick has made of him. Every team needs a player like that.
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Jimmy86 added 20:59 - Dec 20 That there is a promotion winning team. Absolutely fantastic and Mick and TC have done a fantastic job with limited funds. Everyone today was at least a 7 out of 10. Tabb, Anderson, Murphy and Bish stood out for me and Skuse also played very well before he was forced off with injury. Didz is still classy on the ball, but Def needs a goal to get himself going. Hope if we are still top 2 in January Evans will release some funds, only needs to be a small amount, to aid us in the final push. Brilliant result and performance against the team with the best away record. See leadboots still hasn't learnt to take a corner!!! Ref was also pretty poor too. Looking forward to the festive period. COYB!

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blue added 21:17 - Dec 20 FORM TABLE WE WANT THIS SPOT , HAPPY XMAS AND NEW YEAR !!! 1 Brentford 6 3 0 0 9 2 2 0 1 7 6 8 15 2 Ipswich Town 6 3 0 0 7 1 1 2 0 3 2 7 14 3 Birmingham City 6 2 1 0 8 2 2 0 1 2 1 7 13 4 AFC Bournemouth 6 1 2 0 9 7 2 1 0 8 2 8 12 5 Bolton Wanderers 6 2 1 0 4 1 1 2 0 2 1 4 12
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RRanger added 21:21 - Dec 20 Almost a complete performance today by the whole team. Wonderful stuff.MM and TC are definitely building something special here and if we can keep reasonably injury free over the holiday period I see no reason why we can't still be right up there at the end of the season. I think mention should also be made of our owner who obviously has a great relationship with MM and I am sure will provide funds in the next transfer window if the right player become available and this includes salary money if the right loan (young backup striker like Bamford perhaps- I don't mean Bamford who I think is at Middlesbro for the season). Happy Christmas to all at ITFC and all fans and see you at my local club, Brentford who are NOT a flash in the pan and will be very tough next Friday. I saw them come from behind to beat Derby a few weeks ago and they were excellent.

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warktheline added 21:25 - Dec 20 @timmyH, you know me, always looking for the positve angle. Our momentum at present is breathtaking, and of course, there will be blips, but this season, teams are beginning to fear us, or at the very least respect us. Added in to this, is we have a manager, who has been in this position more than once with other clubs, and proved very successful at managing the situation. I believe will get promoted this season, automatically, but if we don't, surely no team would fancy playing us over 2 games? When Evans appointed Mick, I stated it would turn out to be a pivotal time in our club's history. Isn't it just wonderful how the man has transformed our club, I could go on and on, and I usually do, but tonight I wont, instead I'm going to sit back with a few beers, and enjoy the moment. Have a good Xmas TimmyH.

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Downsouthborofan added 21:25 - Dec 20 Firstly congratulations to ITFC for a thorough and comprehensive performance today, you did to us what we did to Derby last week I am disappointed that we could not show you guys how good we can be and for a better game from the Boro fans point of view. Managed to acknowledge your performance on talk Sport Radio with Danny Baker. Positive for me was the 1111 (how on earth did that total happen) Boro fans who despite everything gave a good account of themselves both verbally and afterwards. Good luck for rest of the season and see you on the return game where I hope honours are evened out. Finally many thanks to all ITFC fans who signed up to the oneBoro forum hence known as "the polite" site

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BlueandTruesince82 added 21:26 - Dec 20 Sit back down in your rocking chair fat cat, twas only tongue in cheek. If it pleases have happily withdrawn said comment on the managers reaction page
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DerryfromBury added 21:57 - Dec 20 Absolutely fantastic result, I don't think many people saw that coming, Mboro are a good side and will be there or thereabouts come end of season, we were just to good for them on the day, nullifying everything they tried. The lead up to the second goal was some of the best play you'll see not only at PR but anywhere in the league. it would be an injustice to try and pick anyone as the MOM solid performance all-round. Good crowd nice and load throughout, really got behind the team. Happy Christmas to all, roll on Boxing Day. COYB

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miltonsnephew added 22:22 - Dec 20 MINGS injured? Erm let's hope this is genuine and hasn't been left out because of a January transfer in the offing!! We have to keep our best players to maintain our push for the premiership!
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Elizabeth added 00:04 - Dec 21 Amazing result .... COYB .. Happy Christmas to all Town supporters !!
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