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

Surco72 added 09:51 - Dec 28 The future is for those willing to change
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warktheline added 10:00 - Dec 28 @tractorboy654, you say "not the best football but under the circumstances ".....how do you account for the last 4 years? I concede McCarthy scraped his way to safety in his first season and in similar fashion did extremely well to follow that up with a play off spot in season 2, thereafter please explain! "Douglas had to be selected for that match ", explain why McCarthy has persistently played the combination of the above mentioned and Skuse even though it is clearly evident, is it not, that this duo clearly add nothing to the enhancement of the team? "Chambers often leads by example ", how would you define leading by example? How do justify his position, no his natural, wouldn't you agree, being hard to displace considering the already mentioned and his inability to prevent pace overwhelming his flank? Some would consider this as a liability, wouldn't you agree? Sears has been forced to play in unnatural positions for the good of the team due to inept performances of others, would you agree?

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GoldieBlue added 10:04 - Dec 28 Even bigger concern to me is the fact January is looming and in the current situation why would you want to play under MM. Bart being the best example could quite easily hand in transfer request as like Murphy did, and could play for any other side in the championship. How must Dozzell be feeling taken off at half time over Douglas, I'm sure if he was half as arrogant as MM he would be handing in a transfer request on January 1st. Thinking I can do far better than this sh*t, and he would be right. MM OUT!!! before this gets any worse.

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Bert added 10:14 - Dec 28 For those who think using the c word and defaming people is the way to get the club to remove MM you are entirely wrong. Only a planned and responsible campaign will do that. At present it really is only sections of the stadium that are at boiling point and until the opposition to MM is united, the club wil remain of the view that the time has not yet come to get MM to step aside with his pride more or less intact. That's how it works, not offensive comments and rants that are personal rather than objective. Women and children should not have to put up with loutish behaviour but many would probably support a protest that is unified and united.

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blueboy1981 added 10:50 - Dec 28 .......... and McCarthy continues to laugh the other side of his hand - all the way to the Bank - just as he will if Evans gets rid of him ....... not a bad job is it ??
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blueboy1981 added 10:57 - Dec 28 ....... some just haven't a clue what they are watching - it's Portman Road, it's Football, it's the Saturday (or midweek) ritual, the Pie, the Pint - it's all that matters for some and will always be the case. Too many like the above and our Club will surely die. Thank heavens we are NOT all the same - and expect MORE.
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blueboy1981 added 11:10 - Dec 28 ....... on Monday, through the boredom, I kept glancing at the name BOBBY ROBSON and reminding myself of the fact we we had players like MUHREN and THYSSEN on the very same pitch........ memories to behold for sure. For the sake of us all MM - please go ........
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Blue_Meanie added 11:20 - Dec 28 We accept the football is dire. We accept that 'the manager' is arrogant and egotistical. We accept that Evans has lost interest in his 'double ya money in the prem' investment. Unfortunately we also have to accept that the majority of Town fans sit on their hands, do nothing, say nothing against the club. Now this was laudable behaviour when in the 70s and 80s there were more good days than bad, however, the club is in as bad a place as it has ever been and that includes administration ( let's face it, no club including Portsmouth has ever gone out of business). Until the majority in the EoE stand, Sir Alf and Cobbold start to VOICE their discontent the administration will continue to back this throwback of a 'manager'. We are not a sacking club which is also laudable but sometimes there is no alternative to removing a manager and that time is now. Just think in last three weeks we've had senior players and now the 'manager' more or less admitting and accepting that they're not very good and second best... Sad sad times. So come on the silent majority, VOICE your displeasure on Friday.

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StavangerBlue added 11:20 - Dec 28 If the fans of Ipswich Town feel so strongly about the fact that MM is ruining our club then do not go to the games. May I suggest a boycott or protest. Boycott a home game by just simply not turning up. Organise a protest, 78th minute everyone walk out.
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brittaniaman added 11:56 - Dec 28 Unfortunately they still fool us by counting the season ticket holders when they are not there ?? when the attendance figures come up it is never less than 15000 and one knows sometimes it is less than that. McCarthy is so thick skinned he would not take any notice of a boycott or protest,, because it is HIS WAY !!! so in his own way he is calling us fans Muppets and He will NEVER LEAVE, He thinks it is his duty to see his contract out

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BlueSmith94 added 11:59 - Dec 28 I went to the game, and it was just dull, we lacked passion and the ability to play football. Even though we conceded two goals, Bart was our hero again and the only one not to get booed. Says alot about our outfield players! Fulham to their credit were superb all game, dominated the ball and created very good chances. They should have scored 5+ goals against us, thankfully they didnt! I feel sorry for Dozell and Pitman, they only get 45 minutes, pitman is getting the ball hoffed up to him and Dozzell barely got the ball to make an impact. Douglas was again non existent and Skuse gave away the freekick for the goal, needless foul. We are 1-0 down at home, so he keeps douglas and skuse on, and takes Dozzell and Pitman off...? He did bring on two strikers, but these strikers were out of position and all over the place as result! You can blame the manager (righfully) and Marcus Evans (rightfully), but the players have the responsibilty on the pitch to play the game. You can tell the tactics Mick wants are hoof ball, the players are fustrated by it and for some reason can see it aint working, but don't try and change it by doing something else! Show some back bone and earn your worth. Us fans don't pay to watch them play crap, we have to pay alot of money to watch boring football. I will be going to Bristol to support my club, through thick and thin I will support them. Times up for Mick, there are managers out there. Pardew, rowett, giggs, redknapp etc. If we don't act they wont be available and well be at back to the start.

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portmanteau added 12:12 - Dec 28 I dont think there is the slightest chance of MM going until his contract is finished and even then I could see ME renewing it! ME and his chairmen appear to have no knowledge of football or appreciation of what it means to so many people in the town and to world-wide supporters. ITFC is just a business to them, bums on seats, probably a tax loss vehicle too. The debt keeps piling up, now around £1 mill to ME. Who in his right mind is going to take that on? MM's position is secure so he and ME are not really bothered about results either, or falling gates. I was amazed to see there were so many on Boxing Day considering our recent record. The gates would probably have to go below 10K before ME takes any notice.

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tractorblue added 12:33 - Dec 28 tractorboy654 we all have opinions and you are entitled to yours,but please acknowledge a lot of us have been going to watch ITFC for many years longer than your good self,if we do get involved in a dogfight as you put it we have a lot more chance of survival under a new manager,these players have had enough of his boring non football tactics,a fresh face with fresh ideas is now essential,i have been a Town fan since 1970,and this is 1 of the worst ipswich sides i have ever seen,the football is toxic,he has lost players and supporters and he really needs to go,again its only my opinion,but i would say 95% of supporters now want MM out.

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TractorBoy654 added 15:03 - Dec 28 Tractor blue So have I and I really just don't see the quality in the team... we don't have a considerable amount of options and are very limited up top. I think McCarthy is doing an ok job with a comparitavely poor squad. We simply don't currently have the money to match other teams financially and until then I am reluctant to accept this is the best football we can possibly hope for in order to secure our place in the division. I completely disagree with a change in manager will improve situation approach.. if we sack McCarthy it's going to be a huge payout and then to employ another manager who could have equally poor results is not viable considering our limited funds. Look at Swansea for example they're in a complete mess The key to this situation is large investment which is not coming soon. We need the funds to get a murphy like striker who can revitalise some poor attacking options. The 'creative' midfielders we have are also just not up to it and are to risky for big matches as they just can't be relied on not to do something foolish, I pray that some investement in Jan can sort some of this out

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portmanteau added 16:07 - Dec 28 Bluesmith94, thats probably a sensible decision to go to Bristol. Who would want to watch them playing Town at Portman Road?
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Bert added 16:21 - Dec 28 If you think it's bad at Portman Road just take a look at what Norwich supporters are saying. In years gone by when the EADT's editorial line was to say enough is enough, the chairman and the board began to take notice. Now we have an absent chairman and a board that is toothless. Whilst today's open letter from Terry Hunt to Evans is saying all the right things it still falls short of saying MM must go. Instead it is questioning Evan's lack of direction and funds for new players. MM can therefore understandably hide behind that yet is left to defend himself in the absence of a Sheepshanks like response. Only when there is concerted and organised lobbying of the media, particularly Sky, will Evans feel uncomfortable. At least Sheepshanks took responsibility whereas Evans does not.

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warktheline added 16:35 - Dec 28 What baffles me is why does McCarthy play hoof ball negatively! If he must play this way why doesn't he switch to 4-2-4, like Taylor did at Watford in the 80's. All he needs is a target man, then away you go! Until he leaves I'd rather lose 2-4 to the likes of Fulham instead of 0-2! Anything is better than what he's serving up week in week out!
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