Daryl Murphy scored twice and Freddie Sears once as the Blues comfortably beat Charlton 3-0 to record their fourth successive victory at The Valley. Murphy put Town in front in the 28th minute, Sears added the second just before half-time and the Irish international sealed the three points on 68.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles returned at right midfield in place of the injured Kevin Bru in an otherwise unchanged Blues side with Freddie Sears again on the left of a 4-4-2 formation.

Winger Larsen Touré, a regular sub in recent weeks, also missed out due to a knock with U21s defender Joe Robinson, 19, on the bench for the senior side for the first time in a competitive match.

Charlton named an unchanged team including former Town loan keeper Stephen Henderson and one-time academy schoolboy Morgan Fox. Another ex-Blues academy youngster Nick Pope, a keeper who was released at 16, was amongst the subs.

The Addicks started on the front foot but hadn’t created an opportunity before the home fans staged their planned protest against the club’s owners with the vast majority holding up A4 cards bearing the legend ‘Stand up for the 2%’ for a minute after two minutes.

Ademola Lookman struck the game’s first shot from the edge of the area in the fourth minute but the ball hit a defender and deflected behind.

Town started to get more into the game and in the 11th minute they had their first shot, Henderson saving Brett Pitman’s low effort from the edge of the box.

Soon after, the Blues went even closer when Pitman crossed from the right and Daryl Murphy rose highest to nod just past the far post. As the Charlton keeper prepared to take the goalkick, Addicks skipper Johnnie Jackson was replaced by Chris Solly having picked up a knock.

The Blues had got themselves on top after making a slow start and on 16 Pitman twice almost conjured a chance with a couple of clever flicks at the near post from Jonas Knudsen’s cross from the left, but the ball was bundled behind.

From the resultant corner, Maitland-Niles’s kick reached Jonathan Douglas but his header, which looked to be on target, hit Sears, who was unable to get in a shot at goal.

Town continued to look the more dangerous side and on 18 Luke Chambers’s cross from deep on the right was deflected up in the air and reached Sears on the left, from where he hit a low volley which Henderson did well to get down to stop.

Referee Scott Duncan was the subject of Town protests in the 23rd minute when he stopped play with the Blues breaking to allow Johann Berg Gudmundsson to receive treatment after he was struck a painful blow in the groin by a Tareiq Holmes-Dennis shot.

Lookman shot wide in the 26th minute for Charlton but two minutes later the Blues went in front.

Charlton repeatedly failed to clear following a corner on the left, during which time Sears had forced Henderson into a save. Maitland-Niles returned the ball back into the area, Christophe Berra headed on to Tommy Smith, who while holding Solly off - illegally according to Charlton - nodded across goal and Murphy headed in his fifth goal in three games from close range to make it 1-0.

The lively Lookman got into a good position on the left of the area just before the half hour but Gerken came off his line sharply to block his shot.

Town, by now with Pitman playing deeper and Sears up front with Murphy in a system similar to Charlton’s diamond, weren’t too far away from a second in the 36th minute, Douglas just failing to get enough on his header from Murphy’s cross from the right.

Jordan Cousins headed Fox’s right-wing cross to Gerken a minute later but without testing the Blues keeper.

Deep in first-half injury time, Town doubled their advantage when Chambers played in Sears in space on the right of the area and the former Colchester man’s effort took a deflection before beating Henderson at his near post. It was Sears’s fifth goal of the season and his first for 10 league games.

Charlton threatened to pull a goal back in the remaining minutes of injury time through a goalmouth scramble following a corner with the danger eventually cleared via Berra and Smith headers.

Once the ball was cleared, Town broke away and Fox picked up the game’s first yellow card for pulling back Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Soon after referee Duncan blew his whistle to end the first half with the Blues having put themselves in a good position to record their fourth successive win at The Valley.

Having started slowly, Town got on top and had created chances prior to Murphy’s goal. The second just before the break was a bonus with the Blues seemingly happy see the half out at that stage. Nevertheless, Sears fully deserved to get on the scoresheet given his excellent recent performances.

Charlton switched Fox for recently-signed former West Ham man Ricardo Vaz Te at half-time.

After Gerken had done well to claim a cross from the right under pressure, the Blues weren’t far away from making it 3-0, Murphy slamming Douglas’s lay-off on the edge of the box just past the post and off the stanchion in the 51st minute.

Two minutes later, Vaz Te, who had made an impression since coming on, hit a low strike through a crowd of players which Gerken saved down to his right.

Charlton striker Simon Makienok was booked for catching Berra with an elbow in the 64th minute, not the first time the Dane’s flailing arms had caught the Town centre-half in the face.The Scotland international lost a tooth in the incident.

Moments later Cole Skuse also took a blow to the face and suffered a nosebleed.

Chances had been rare at both ends since the break with the Blues generally happy to sit back on their lead and soak up whatever the home side were able to throw at them, which for the most part consisted of crosses which Gerken was able to claim or the Town defence clear unchallenged.

In the 68th minute the Blues made it 3-0. Pitman left a Chambers pass for Douglas, who fed Murphy in space to his left and the Irishman smashed in his second of the game and his sixth in three games off the post.

With Charlton looking a beaten side Murphy just failing to find Maitland-Niles with a cross from the left, then after Sears had won a corner, Berra heading over.

On 76 Pitman hit a 30-yard effort but too close to Henderson, who claimed. Three minutes later, Charlton went close to pulling a goal back when Reza Ghoochannejhad headed freekick back across the box and Gerken superbly blocked Patrick Bauer’s diving header.

Gerken made an even better save in the 81st minute, brilliantly getting down and across to his left to palm away Vaz Te’s goal-bound header. Three minutes later, Giles Coke replaced Maitland-Niles.

Vaz Te, by now wearing a pink bandage on his head, was thwarted by Gerken once more in the 87th minute. The striker hit a shot from the edge of the box and the Blues keeper again dived across to his left to save.

Tommy Oar took over from Sears moments before the fourth official indicated four additional minutes with the game already well won.

Holmes-Dennis headed a late opportunity wide but the Addicks had never looked like getting back into the game from the moment Murphy, who is firmly back to his best, put the Blues in front.

Sears’s second goal just before the break was a further blow to the home side and the third cemented the three points at a stage when Charlton weren’t looking like getting back into the game.

There was a late flurry of chances in the closing stages when Gerken made a succession of excellent saves, but overall it was probably the most comfortable of the Blues’ four successive wins at The Valley.

Town are now undefeated in six matches - having ended their winless run of Sky games at 11, their last live TV victory was the corresponding fixture last November - and are up to seventh ahead of this afternoon’s games, level on points with Birmingham in the final play-off place.

Charlton: Henderson, Holmes-Dennis, Bauer, Sarr, Fox (Vaz Te 46), Diarra, Cousins, Jackson (c) (Solly 13), Gudmundsson, Makienok (Ghoochannejhad 73), Lookman. Unused: Pope, Lennon, Ba, Vaz Te, Ahearne-Grant.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Douglas, Maitland-Niles (Coke 84), Sears (Oar 90), Murphy, Pitman. Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Parr, Robinson, Tabb. Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland).

Photo: Action Images

IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:07 - Nov 28 The other results have gone for us, 7th and moving up a gear. Friday's game will be a real test of ability to push for automatic promotion.
2

tractorboykent added 17:25 - Nov 28 Great to see a lot of people acknowledging Gerken's performance today. Long overdue. He's been a convenient scapegoat for the lazy. It's right to give credit to a very impressive looking forward line but we should spread it around and definitely include the keeper.
8

thebeat added 17:35 - Nov 28 tractorboykent ive given him his due credit today but have been critical of him previously. I dont believe he's been a convenient scapegoat for the lazy tho, at fault for forests late equalizer, 2 against Brighton, atleast 1 at Reading and Wolves 1st was outrageously bad keeping by not collecting a simple corner when under no pressure whatsoever. He played well today and gets his credit but please dont label fans who rightly point out his lack of ability which has cost us plenty of points in the past as lazy because thats simply not true.

7

Keaneish added 17:44 - Nov 28 Solid win and a good defensive performance which was needed on the back of last week's result. Good counter attacking display too. Thought the Skuse / Douglas pairing looked disjointed and ropey today though. Men run off them too easily and there was little ball retention from either. Berra was imperious. Gherken excellent. Sears and Murphy quality. Knudsen isn't at it for me. Positioning is off, distribution not the greatest and bit ponderous at times. Parr deserves a run. Next up. Nugent.

0

Seasider added 17:51 - Nov 28 A comprehensive win against a very poor side;but we are despatching them which hasn't always been the case. Must remember that during this good run most of the teams have been in the bottom half of the table;so must not get too carried away just yet. Have never been completely out of the promotion picture but are now tucked in nicely,and with over half the season left could still make the top six easily and even the top two. The game against Boro will show just how far Town have really come since their dip in October though.

10

StowTractorBoy added 18:01 - Nov 28 Think some on here are not giving credit where credit is due i.e. a poor Charlton side and Charlton there for the taking. Ask Sheffield Wed and Birmingham fans if they were there for the taking I think not. Today was a thoroughly professional performance from back to front and we made Charlton look ordinary. MM got his tactics spot on today and our front players were all on song and Douglas is now coming into his own with a more forward approach to his game. Well done to all today - fans were brillo as usual.

10

warktheline added 18:05 - Nov 28 Superb result and 3 points. That said, nobody will convince me,Defensively all is sound! Murphy's return to form is priceless. Acid test coming up, but at present, the league table looks satisfactory. Well done to all, decent run of results.
8

neillrumsey added 18:38 - Nov 28 Great result solid performance. Many good performances today including much critisised Gerken who pulled off 3 great saves. Hats off he had a good game. Both full backs continue to worry me Knudsen who arrived at the start of the season and looked a bright acquisition now looks under pressure with many poor decisions and passes. Berra and Smith very solid today and Douglas and AMN were continually tracking back and winning back possession. All three strikers were excellent. Third goal was real quality. COYB. Thought the Charlton sub at right back looked a proper player well worth tapping up

4

gt81 added 18:45 - Nov 28 Solid away performance. Nice to see Douglas finally looking like a decent player - has probably contributed more than Skuse in recent weeks. Took our chances well and could have had more, though Charlton perhaps unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after we took our foot off the pedal. Good all round performance but will have much harder games to come, still, a win is a win so important to keep the confidence up.

3

happybeingblue added 18:45 - Nov 28 great result not many teams win by 3 goals at the valley... next up boro I honestly believe we can beat them but .... let's please not boo David nugent for once !!! and do you know what he may not actually score against us! really don't get why town fans do it,it just Spurs him on and he loves it, glad holt never came on last week as he probably would have bagged one as well...as he was taking dogs abuse when will the north stand ever learn...

1

Currie10 added 18:54 - Nov 28 " Curious how few posters there are here so far. " That is because we didn't lose. Every defeat this website goes into absolute meltdown. A win - MEH. Still, if we lose to Boro Friday no doubt the haters will be out in force and idiotic comments will get +27 +44 straight after the game.
-2

Currie10 added 18:54 - Nov 28 " Curious how few posters there are here so far. " That is because we didn't lose. Every defeat this website goes into absolute meltdown. A win - MEH. Still, if we lose to Boro Friday no doubt the haters will be out in force and idiotic comments will get +27 +44 straight after the game.
-1

Currie10 added 18:54 - Nov 28 " Curious how few posters there are here so far. " That is because we didn't lose. Every defeat this website goes into absolute meltdown. A win - MEH. Still, if we lose to Boro Friday no doubt the haters will be out in force and idiotic comments will get +27 +44 straight after the game.
-1

alfromcol added 19:05 - Nov 28 Not one of my favourites, but Gerken was awesome.
4

essextractorboy93 added 19:07 - Nov 28 Great win today, travelling fans were a credit to the club, never stopped making noise from the first minute to the last. Absolute scenes when that third goal went in! It does seem very very quiet in here considering we won today..... the constantly negative lot not in tonight
0

Lightningboy added 19:16 - Nov 28 Decent win but crikey Charlton were terrible..our midfield should've kept posession when we were 3 up,yet they just kept hoofing it forward..how we lack a Magilton type to control the game (and ball). Huge test this Friday.
3

ChestnutSe added 19:35 - Nov 28 Really good performance from the whole team today. Well done to everybody (and the travelling fans who did the team proud). Another terrible performance from our unbalanced defence today. Let's hope for more of the same.
-5

KiwiTractor added 20:08 - Nov 28 Happy days ... well done all. If some one had told me 3 games ago that Murph would be our top scorer before December I would have thought they'd had a few too many! Loving it. Happy for Sears that he got back on the scoresheet too, by the sounds of it recent performances deserved it. Clean sheet, 3 goals, Fraser, McGoldrick and Bish all to come back - things are starting to take shape. If we can get that team spirit of last season back, we will be a threat.

3

chepstowblue added 20:15 - Nov 28 Today was another clear indication of why the back 4 must be changed(far too well organised),Gerken must be dropped(producing far too many excellent saves),Chambers( too much passion and fight),and Smith is nowhere near good enough for this level(faultless,didn't put a foot wrong). Go now Mick, I hate the fact that this man really knows what he's doing and we're incredibly fortunate to have him ! Lets start to realise what we've got and be very thankful for it. If ever it needed proving that he's a little bit more clued up than us......

-3

runningout added 20:23 - Nov 28 If Gerken shows what he is capable of with confidence, he and defence will be decent.. Great result
1

bluedickie added 20:35 - Nov 28 First game I've been to for a long time , after seeing a lot of the negative comments on here I wasn't sure what to expect , firstly , what a privilege to be a part of that support !! Amazing , secondly , great performance and 3 points for our heroes , Gerken great saves , back 4 pretty solid , willing to get in there and get hurt (Berra)for the cause ,midfield helping out at front and back and up front brilliant ,Sears and Murphy excellent , maybe i'm just getting carried away but I feel great tonight !!

4

essex57 added 20:37 - Nov 28 The happy chappie is very happy to nite brilliant team performance usual vocal support from the tractor boys and girls onto Friday can't wait (even I might get some up arrows today)
7

MrDiddle added 20:43 - Nov 28 Great result today, great to see Murph back where he belongs as top scorer, also brilliant to see Sears grab one - his goal tally this season doesn't really reflect sheer effort he puts in pretty much every time he plays. I still can't believe Mick managed to get him for 100k! I also agree that Gerks has been wrongfully targetted by some. The bloke had a blinder today - every inch as good as Bart if you ask me. He deserves his place in the team at the moment - and if for whatever reason he has a dip in form, we've got a like for like replacement in Bart. Would also like to give a heads up to the travelling support today, as always they really do make a difference. Up the town!

2

PJH added 20:50 - Nov 28 Very good away performance although I thought we actually played better at Rotherham. Murphy now getting the goals that his play over the last six weeks or so has deserved. Almost perfect goalkeeping performance by Gerks and the back four both as individuals and as a unit very good.Midfield worked hard both in defense and attack and Sears and Pitman also worked tirelessly. Excellent support today except for the unnecessary chant whilst Charlton supporters were having their protest on two minutes.

2

TimmyH added 20:57 - Nov 28 Well organised display by the lads today against a rather poor and ineffective Charlton side. Not to take anything away from our boys - we could have played all day and not conceded. Murphy and Sears both looked threatening and the defense including Gerkin all did their jobs. A very smooth day (which doesn't happen that often). Really pleased with today but bigger and tougher teams ahead in a difficult looking month of December - but we've been picking up points more readily of late and confidence hopefully will be higher. The litmus test awaits!

3

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls