Goals from Chris Martin and Ragnar Sigurdsson saw Fulham to a comfortable 2-0 Boxing Day victory over the Blues at Portman Road, their first win against Town for precisely 53 years. Martin opened the scoring with a freekick on 36, then sub Sigurdsson headed home a corner in the 78th minute but the margin of victory should have been wider.

Jonathan Douglas replaced the injured Jonny Williams in an otherwise unchanged Town team.

Andre Dozzell kept his place in a three-man midfield and was making his first home Championship appearance of the season. Leon Best was back on the bench with no place in the 18 for Luke Varney.

Fulham started the brighter and Christophe Berra did well to cut out a cross from the left. Following the corner, Whites skipper Tom Cairney screwed a shot well wide.

Town first threatened to create an opening in the 12th minute when, after good work from Brett Pitman, Dozzell played the ball towards the left of the area to Tom Lawrence who dummied for Douglas but the ball ran behind the breaking midfielder.

The visitors continued to dominate possession, prodding and probing and looking for an opening. On 17 Floyd Ayite was played in on the left of the area by Stefan Johansen but Berra slid in to make a fine saving challenge.

Fulham almost scored the goal their first-half performance deserved in the 32nd minute when Scott Malone crossed from the left and Chris Martin turned the ball towards goal from close range only for Bartosz Bialkowski to somehow keep the ball out with his feet.

Following the corner Kevin McDonald diverted the ball wide at the far post with what looked to be a hand.

But the goal Fulham deserved wasn’t too much longer in coming. After Cole Skuse had fouled Johansen 25 yards out, Martin hit a freekick which appeared to go through the Town wall before nestling in the corner of the net to Bialkowski’s right.

Having gained the lead, the visitors continued to control the game, passing the ball around slickly - the home crowd were chanting ‘we’re supposed to be at home’ with good reason - and a minute before half-time created another opening, Jonas Knudsen doing well to block from Sone Aluko from the right of the area.

As the half moved into injury time, Fulham keeper David Button was forced into his first save of the afternoon, the former Spurs man diving across to his right to palm defender Tim Ream’s header towards his own goal wide.

Town were unable to create anything from the corner and referee Oliver Langford’s whistle was met with boos from the home support.

The Blues had been thoroughly outplayed by the visitors throughout and on another afternoon might well have found themselves further behind.

Fulham had passed the ball around as well as anybody Town have faced this season, while Mick McCarthy’s men were left chasing shadows for the most part. That the closest they had come to a goal was Ream’s inadvertent late header summed up the half.

That the Cottagers ended the half only one goal up was perhaps the only positive, but Town needed to be a very much better prospect after the break.

As had seemed likely, McCarthy made immediate changes of personnel with Pitman and Dozzell, who had never really got into the game, although the 17-year-old was far from alone in that, replaced by Leon Best and David McGoldrick.

Town had more of the ball in the early stages of the second half but the visitors created the first opening when Ayite was found on the left and broke into the area before being halted by skipper Luke Chambers. From the resultant corner, the ball found Michael Madl but the centre-half was unable to get it under control and Skuse cleared.

Fulham had quickly reasserted their dominance and should have made it 2-0 just before the hour when an over-casual Webster lost possession to Aluko and Ayike was sent through on goal but was forced wide by Bialkowski and shot across the face of goal.

Denis Odoi was then harshly adjudged to have fouled Chambers as he shoulder-charged the Blues skipper and played the ball back into the box for Martin to tap home.

Bialkowski subsequently sent Sears away on the Town left and the ball eventually deflected off Knudsen and into the six-yard area before being claimed by Button. The Dane screwed a shot well wide after a later Town attack. On 64 McDonald was booked for a foul on Lawrence.

Despite those attacks, Fulham were still very much in the ascendency and again should have added to their lead in the 69th minute when Johansen crossed low from the left and Ayite smashed well wide when he should have scored.

As Bialkowski prepared to take the goalkick Lawrence was booked for an earlier foul. Soon after, McGoldrick joined him in the book for a late tackle on Madl.

Fulham wasted another opportunity to seal their victory in the 78th minute when, after a free-flowing moving which cut through the Blues, Ayite’s effort was saved by Bialkowski.

But the second goal finally came from the corner, Sigardsson nodding in Johansen’s flag-kick from close range.

The second Fulham goal, which had certainly been coming, prompted shouts of ‘Evans sort it out’ from the Sir Bobby Robson Stand and then later chants of ‘what a load of rubbish’.

Bialkowski saved from Cairney as the game moved into its final five minutes, then at the other end Chambers turned a Lawrence cross from the right well over.

Fulham saw out the final minutes comfortably while sections of the crowd chanted ‘McCarthy out’ and again called for owner Marcus Evans to ‘sort it out’.

Late on, Bialkowski saved from Martin from a tight angle before the final whistle was greeted by further loud boos. Manager McCarthy was booed by a section of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand support as he made his way into the tunnel.

Prior to kick-off McCarthy said he wanted a unifying performance and result but he got anything but that with the Blues putting in as poor a display as they have this season against an excellent and attractive Fulham side who really should have scored more than two goals.

Town began the game on the back foot and never really recovered with Fulham, the best side to visit Portman Road this season, taking the game to them from the off and they could have been ahead prior to Martin’s goal.

The half-time changes briefly made a difference - and McGoldrick showed his quality in patches throughout the second period - but the visitors continued to dominate and while a repeat of their 10-1 Boxing Day victory back in 1963, their last victory over Town, was never on the cards, the margin could have been more significant if Ayite in particular had been less profligate

The result leaves the Blues in 16th, still eight points from the relegation zone, with Bristol City, who lost 3-2 at Wolves today, at Portman Road on Friday evening.

Town: Bialkowski, Knudsen, Chambers (c), Berra, Webster, Skuse, Douglas, Dozzell (Best 46), Sears, Lawrence, Pitman (McGoldrick 46). Unused: Gerken, Bru, Ward, Emmanuel, Kenlock.

Fulham: Button, Odoi, Ream, Madl, Malone, McDonald, Cairney (c), Ayite (Piazon 83), Johansen (Parker 90), Aluko (Sigurdsson 65), Martin. Unused: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Kebano, Smith. Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands). Att: 19,723 (Fulham: 907).

Photo: TWTD

brittaniaman added 14:34 - Dec 27 Fulham midfield Pleasant to watch = 13 Goals this season !!! Ipswich midfield Unpleasant to watch = Zero goals this season Douglas replaced Williams That was like replacing a Racehorse with a Donkey ????
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TractorBoy654 added 17:18 - Dec 27 Mick has been a fantastic manager for this club and has really over achieved with a squad that is average at best. He's finished 6th 7th and 9th, with the financial power of the club that is amazing. He's obviously going through at rough patch at the moment but he knows the division... if we get into a relegation scap (which is highly possible) mick is definitely the man to get us out... we need to stick with and have some patience. This is obviously not going to be our year but why can't we try and improve that and get behind the team?

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TractorBoy654 added 17:20 - Dec 27 Brittanman Williams is injured and bru Is too cheap with possession
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warktheline added 18:13 - Dec 27 @tractorboy, all well and good that post! Now argue the case for current and past team selection and style of play!
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neil1968 added 19:06 - Dec 27 Much rather have Bru on rather than Dozzel who imo along with bishop are nothing to write home about and like half of the squad I don't think are anywhere near good enough for this level
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warktheline added 19:27 - Dec 27 @neil1968, tad harsh that! Let's not forget these lads are playing under a rigid system, with emphasis on negativity rather than positivity. Sadly Bishop appears to be injury prone, but personally believe if he's played in correct position and encouraged to drive forward, then for me, he's certainly a good Championship player. As for Dozzell, I really can't see how he can be judged so quickly!

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itsonlyme added 19:32 - Dec 27 We must back the team for the 90 plus minutes each match! It is not doing the team any good if we produce anti McCarthy/Evans or any individual player chants during the game. Boo and moan after the game not during it please! We are in a dogfight and we need all the sport we can get during play.
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itsonlyme added 19:35 - Dec 27 Support - that should read
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wayway added 19:51 - Dec 27 What planet are you on Tractorboy654. I have been a supporter since the days of Mr Scott Duncan and i can honestly say this is the worst situation i have known the club to be in. Evan in the dark days of Milburn and Duncan things were not so grim. The worst thing is you will get your wish, McCarthy will not be sacked as long as we have absent, don't care owners who don't give two hoots about the true fans. Still, as long as you are happy with this dross thats ok

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Cloddyseedbed added 19:56 - Dec 27 I needed time to get over watching that crap before commenting. As soon as the team sheet was released we all knew what to expect, the ones of us who didn't turn back home before the game had started. The Club has now turned into a sad shambles again and is resembling what Keane and Jewell players were like in the last match or 2 that they were in charge. It was painful to watch and the players know the end is near for the manager and for a lot of them their careers at ITFC. This manager hasn't a hope in hell turning this mess around and he sure as hell will never get the support of the fans back after berating them and praising players that should clearly be nowhere near the squad, let alone be allowed on the pitch. MM days are limited and Evans hopefully is working hard behind the scenes to fill the post with the right candidate when McCarthy goes. That is a big concern, as he has not brought the right manager in yet. 3 managers, 3 failures. For whatever reasons Every manager has failed under Evans, therefore he should look closely at whether it is him to blame and his policy's. As a supporter since the 60's and a season ticket holder which this season will be my last, 3 things need to happen to convince me to keep wasting my money and time on matchdays! 1) Get rid of McCarthy and do not have him in the building to spend any money or decide what players need to stay, be sold or to buy in the January transfer window. The man now does not have a clue on what's going on. 2) Install a manager who is right for the club and recognises the way modern football should be played to progress in this league and get out of it the correct end. Exciting attacking football, fast movement with skill. These players can be found, other teams do, they are out there, maybe in lower leagues or abroad. 3) You must free up some money, this can be done by getting rid of a lot of well paid players that are overpaid and under performing or just not up to it. Chambers, Knudsen, Scuse, Douglas, Best, Varney, Hyham, Pitman. We need footballers not past it old pro's or players that would never get into other championship teams. Start building a bl**dy team to stay together and progress, not one that is rebuilt with crap every year.

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paulnstar added 21:03 - Dec 27 Cmon Lincoln cmon Lincoln mick out
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TractorBoy654 added 00:04 - Dec 28 Wayway of course this is not the best football but in the circumstances I am prepared to accept that in order to ensure we do not get my relegated. Hopefully with a bit of investment in January some reasonably players can be bought and perhaps we will all be a bit happier. Warktheline The team selection; Douglas had to be selected for that match due to lack in quality options in midfield. Bishop and bru cannot be relied on to not make foolish decision and give away possession... and against tough opposition it would be silly to risk playing those kind of midfielders. Chambers is the captain and it's going to be hard to displace his spot.. he's been a valuable servant to the club and shows considerable passion on the pitch leading often by example. Pitman is one player i disagee with as struggles to last full match and doesn't press teams enough could have done with sears up top for that. BUT sears can't play striker because his conversion rate this season has been appalling and all through last year... he cannot be relied on to score when provided with chances, regardless of what you say about he would be better up top, with McCarthy' system they are all provided with an opportunity at striker and time and again he CANT FINISH.

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TractorBoy654 added 00:07 - Dec 28 CLoddyseedbed Why the heck to do you want to get rid of skuse very professional midfielder that is valuable to our midfield
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ABINGTONBLUEBOY added 00:27 - Dec 28 I don't post on he very often, I'm a quiet loyal fan who goes to about 25 games a season. I travel from Cambridge to about 15 home game and 10 away games a season. I'm usually very supportive of the Club and Manager. But enough is enough. I ve written an e mail to the club requesting a refund for The Boxing day event. Perhaps if more people did this including Season Ticket holders, then some notice and action might be taken to restore this Clubs dignity. The email reads as follow:- Could you please refund me the cost of two tickets @ £19 each as I do not believe the product supplied was fit for purpose under the Sale of Goods Act. What I saw was not acceptable and in contravention of the Trades Description Act. The Event supplied was not a match it was total failure to supply an Ipswich Town performance. I don't mind when we lose, but I do mind when the team don't turn up. I ve followed Town up and down since 1975 and that excuse for a game was without doubt the worst performance I have ever seen. And to add insult to proceedings, who decided to play the song Glad All Over as we left the stadium? Is no one in touch with the customers/fans feelings at all?

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Bert added 01:54 - Dec 28 ........ should have been down down deeper and down by Quo.
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2_Goal added 03:04 - Dec 28 Is he still here? Looks like 90% of us can see that he has to go. He has had too many chances to turn things around. But I doubt the club reads these pages. Perhaps we should all email the club direct so they understand the depth of pain that we all feel? Can this website conduct a quick poll - -- MM In or Out or Undecided?
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shakytown added 03:55 - Dec 28 Fairly obvious that he has lost the dressing room. Disinterested players going throught the motions waithing for the inevitable . The time has come to sack him as he won't walk as this will be his last job and he wan'ts the money.
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flyingdutchman added 06:38 - Dec 28 wayway you forgot to add and village idiots like tractorboy (is a c-- t )
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Brownie added 07:56 - Dec 28 I am in MM out camp but I am disappointed with some of the comments on here. I don't think abusing people via a keyboard is right. If we all agreed this site would be boring. Imitating use of for example the C word is just as bad. MM should go in my view but I don't think he is anything but honest in what he says and does. He just isn't he man to take us forward in fact I suggest he will do the opposite. TWTD are right to say sections of the crowd. I sit in East of England stand and there was a few people booing but the majority didn't. Whether they support MM is debatable but it is entirely accurate to say that only sections of the crowd called for MM to go.

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TractorBoy654 added 08:42 - Dec 28 Beautifully argued flyingdurchman, you have really displayed your intellect. How about you argue my point rather than calling me that?
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juniorblue added 08:57 - Dec 28 Nothing to add to the above comments. But, while MM is the manager I will not go to Portman Road. Please vote with your feet as this is the only way ME will take the fans seriously.
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juniorblue added 09:03 - Dec 28 Abingtonblueboy Well done for emailing the club. If we have time to post on here, let's all send an email to the club. Mark the email for the attention of Ian Milne and Marcus Evans and demand a reply that confirms your message has been forwarded to them.
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d0nk added 09:18 - Dec 28 Is he gone yet??x
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Cloddyseedbed added 09:23 - Dec 28 TractorBoy654, Scuse maybe in your eyes a very professional midfielder and valuable to our midfield, it seems MM shares a lot of your views, that is the reason we are where we are and playing like we do. many of the players like chambers have been valuable members of our squad but there comes a time when they have passed their best. I like Chambers as a person and he has done well in the past and I feel sorry for him and many players who are being played out of position and I'm not happy and i feel a lot of players are not too. It just can't go on. MM has now become lost. It happens to all managers in the end. Look at his body language and facial expressions, he knows it but wants his big payoff he's entitled to.

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BrettenhamBlue added 09:33 - Dec 28 I notice Bart has won 11 man of the match awards on this site this season, and we are only in December! I looked at three other Championship teams randomly to see whether their goalkeepers have won man of the match awards and got 0-0-0. He can only win awards if he's asked to perform save after save after save. Shows how much pressure we are put under. Relegation is possible without Bart. For those that say Mick is looking to be sacked through his selections, I don't think so. It would be easy for him to replace Bart with Gerken. We may disagree with his team selection but he is putting out what he believes to be the best team on the day. He believes Sears is good out wide. He believes Chambers is a good RB.

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