Ipswich Town 3-2 Blackburn Rovers - Match Report
Saturday, 14th Jan 2017 17:22 Tom Lawrence scored twice - the second a brilliant 30-yard strike - and Christophe Berra once as Town beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2 at Portman Road. Man of the match Lawrence opened the scoring with a low freekick before Hope Akpan pulled a goal back for the visitors just before half-time. Berra restored the lead soon after the restart, Lawrence made it 3-1 with his stunner, prior to Danny Graham pulling one back from the penalty spot for the Lancastrians.
Town made three changes from the team which drew 2-2 with Lincoln in the FA Cup last week with skipper Luke Chambers, Cole Skuse and Bartosz Bialkowski returning.
England U18 international striker Ben Morris and left-back Pat Webber were again included among the subs.
The Blues, watched from the directors’ box by Forest Green striker Kieffer Moore, whose signing is expected to be confirmed later today, lined up in a 3-5-2 system with Adam Webster, Chambers and Berra the three centre-halves, Josh Emmanuel and Jonas Knudsen the wing-backs, Skuse, Kevin Bru and Andre Dozzell in central midfield and Lawrence up front with Freddie Sears.
Following a minute’s applause in tribute to former England manager Graham Taylor, who died this week, the Blues were first to threaten.
A seventh-minute Lawrence freekick on the left was cleared out to Bru, whose hooked pass found Sears in space to the left of goal but the striker scuffed his shot across the face of goal when he will feel he ought to have scored.
Town continued to have the better of the opening stages with ex-Blackburn loanee Lawrence making one of his now familiar mazy runs before over-hitting his pass out to Emmanuel on the right.
On 10, following a spell of passing on the right, the on-loan Leicester man’s cross eventually found its way to Knudsen, who hit a shot on the turn which flew wide.
A minute later Sears went close again after Charlie Mulgrew had misjudged a long ball over the top but Rovers keeper Jason Steele was out quickly to snuff out the chance.
The Blues had been well on top but on 14 ex-Town loanee Liam Feeney broke quickly and fed Sam Gallagher on the left, however, Bialkowski came off his line swiftly to block.
Bialkowski was in action again two minutes later, tipping a Gallagher header over after Ben Marshall had crossed from the right.
On 26 Elliott Bennett, a player Town were keen on in the summer, hit a shot over from distance with the visitors by now more in the game.
But the Blues regained their earlier impetus and on 36 Dozzell, who had got more involved in the game the longer the half progressed, played in Sears on the right of the area with a clever pass but Steele palmed the ball behind.
Town had been the better side but without testing Steele enough but in the 38th minute they took the lead.
Knudsen was fouled just outside the area on the left and after Bru had tapped him the ball Lawrence hit a low strike which the Blackburn wall appeared to jump over and which Steele allowed to squirm under him and into the net, the loanee’s sixth goal of the season.
On 41 Dozzell brought the ball in from the right and found Bru, who looked to turn the ball back into the 17-year-old’s path and failed to find him when he probably should have shot. A minute later Lawrence was booked for a foul on Akpan.
In the 43rd minute Rovers got back on terms and as so often of late the goal stemmed from a Town error.
Berra gave away possession on the Blues left to Feeney, who crossed to Graham. The former Middlesbrough man stabbed it out to Akpan, who smashed a low shot past Bialkowski from the edge of the box.
The Blues only had themselves to blame for losing their lead but quickly went about restoring it, Lawrence hitting a 25-yard effort which Steele did well to push past his right post, then Knudsen slammed a powerful volley which the keeper blocked with his chest but with no Town player able to add a final touch.
Referee James Linington’s whistle ending the half was greeted by muted applause with the Blues having been on top, passing the ball around slickly at times.
Rovers had shown little and having got their noses in front the Blues should have gone on to impose their superiority over the opposition further, but once again were left rueing a preventable goal as they went off at the break.
Soon after the restart Lawrence hit a low shot which Steele saved down to his right with Town beginning the half strongly.
And on 53 they got back in front. Knudsen’s deep cross from the left led to a corner on the right, Lawrence sent in a ball to the near post where Skuse flicked it on and Berra stabbed over the line from a couple of feet, the Scotland international’s first goal of the season and his first since March last year.
Four minutes later it was 3-1 as Lawrence netted the latest contender in his own personal goal of the season competition.
The Welshman brought the ball forward before unleashing a superb 30-yard strike which curled inside the motionless Steele’s left post before rippling the net. Town’s now-seven-goal top scorer celebrated in front of the rapturous Sir Bobby Robson Stand.
Feeney curled a shot not too far wide for Rovers on 61 as they looked to get back in the game before Dozzell was booked for a foul on the one-time Blues loanee. On 67 Grant Ward took over from Dozzell, who had had his best game having started for the first team so far.
The Blues, who were enjoying the vocal backing of their supporters, continued to push for goals with Lawrence at the heart of most of their best work. On 71 the Wales international cut the ball across to Skuse on the edge of the box. The Bristolian had a chance to shoot but instead fed Sears in space in the area but the striker’s effort was blocked by Steele.
Town had been well on to and looking in no trouble whatsoever until the 73rd minute when Webster was adjudged to have fouled Akpan as the pair challenged on the left of the area with the Blackburn substitute going nowhere.
It looked a harsh award with the pair battling for a loose ball after Akpan had blocked a clearance but referee Linington was in no doubt. Danny Graham rolled the spotkick to Bialkowski’s left to pull the scoreline somewhat undeservedly back to 3-2.
The goal gave the visitors a boost and on 79 Chambers made an important challenge on Graham on the edge of the box after he had inadvertently diverted Emnes’s header from Feeney’s cross into the striker’s path.
But Town gradually started to reassert their superiority, Ward finding Sears after Lawrence had played him a freekick on the edge of the box and the ex-West Ham man sending in a low cross from the right which Blackburn cleared.
In the final minutes Blackburn sought to put the Blues under pressure but without testing Bialkowski. On 89 Paul Digby replaced Bru.
As the match moved into four minutes of injury time Lawrence was given a chance to claim a hat-trick when he won a freekick 25 yards out towards the left but badly shanked his shot wide.
Late on, Sears also had a chance to make it four when sent away by Ward as Town counter-attacked but blazed well over.
Deep in injury time Blackburn claimed a second penalty when Derrick Williams ran into the area and was outmuscled or manhandled by Emmanuel depending on how you viewed the incident but referee Linington waved away the visitors’ protests much to the relief of the home fans.
Seconds later, the Newport Isle-of-Wight-based official’s final whistle confirming Town's first win of 2017 was greeted with applause from the home fans, who then stayed on to cheer a Chambers fist-pump.
The Blues thoroughly deserved the three points but as so often recently made life difficult for themselves, allowing Rovers back into the game twice, and might even have gifted them a late penalty with the late claim one which might well have given.
Lawrence’s brilliant second goal was the highlight of a much brighter and far less fractious afternoon at Portman Road, a strike even better than his goal at QPR and the Welshman put in another outstanding performance in a central role in which he appears to revel.
The Blues have now gone 22 league games without repeating the same result in successive matches - since they drew with Wolves and Norwich in August - equalling a club record established in 1965/66.
The result moves the Blues up to 14th in the Championship ahead of Tuesday night’s tricky FA Cup replay at Lincoln City.
Town: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse, Bru (Digby 90), Dozzell (Ward 67), Sears, Lawrence. Unused: Gerken, Best, Douglas, Morris, Webber.
Blackburn Rovers: Steele, Williams, Lowe (c), Feeney, Marshall, Graham, Mulgrew, Gallagher, Akpan, Lenihan, Bennett (Emnes 61). Unused: Raya, Greer, Emnes, Nyambe, Tomlinson, Mahoney, Brown. Att: 15,009 (Blackburn: 295).
Photo: TWTD
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warktheline added 18:06 - Jan 14
Nowt to complain about this evening, hopefully all that attended were entertained! LONG MAY IT CONTINUE! |  | |
martin587 added 18:08 - Jan 14
A game we should have won easily but once again made hard of it.Great to get three points mostly thanks to Bart and Tom.He is without doubt a quality player and one we will be hard to hold on to as his value must increase by the week.
If we cannot afford to sign Tom which I'm sure we cannot the club should now be looking for players to replace him.
Well done lads for today.! |  | |
stevieiriswattii added 18:10 - Jan 14
Thank you Tom Lawrence. Thanks to the Düsseldorf fans for the effort. Well done to the North for the support. My first game since Preston & undoubtedly improvement, much of it down to Tom L. UTB |  | |
StochesStotasBlewe added 18:16 - Jan 14
Much better than of late. Lawrence excellent, Skuse played well, Knudsen & Emmanuel effective as wing backs. Like the system employed, made for a much more entertaining match. Blackburn are very poor, we now have sterner tests to come, but (hopefully) a small step in the right direction. Time for the Jacobs Creek. |  | |
brendenward35 added 18:17 - Jan 14
Just hope no one comes in to buy Lawrence if they do we are in dire straits | | |
blues1 added 18:22 - Jan 14
Jas0999. Agree with everything uve said there. Spot on. To those wanting us to sign Lawrence. It just isn't going to happen. As even if we Were willing to pay the transfer fee, he's on premier league wages, and we aren't going to pay those and nor should we. It would cause unrest in the rest of the squad. | | |
carsey added 18:24 - Jan 14
First time for a long time I have come away from Portman Road feeling good. Thought three at the back was the way to go for a long time and whilst they weren't perfect they stuck at it and in the end should have won more comfortably.
Bart once again made an important stop to keep us in the game although he looked a little hesitant giving the ball short to the back 3. Provided McCarthy sticks with it he will become more confident, after all he has spent all his time booting it up the park.
Chambers looked comfortable in his correct position and should be there every match. Webster was a bit out of sorts and Berra is definitely the weakest link for me.
Schedule, never my favourite,did exactly what he needed to do. Bru seemed to run out of energy and stopped hustling but showed more of what he is capable of. I'd just like to see a bit more urgency from him covering across when out of possession.
Dozzell must start every game he gets better and better and will eventually have the legs to last 90 minutes.
Lawrence - what can you say. Stand out player, runs at the opposition attacks the space. It doesn't always work but he gets the crowd excited and the opposition don't know what to do with him.
As always I was willing Freddie to score. He works so hard and had a couple of chances today. Got to keep him up front and involved because the opposition don't like players who run at them. The right ball on the floor for him to run on to is all that was lacking today.
Both full backs did okay and I was pleased they set out to attack Blackburn with both getting some decent crosses in just a shame we didn't get anything from them.
I believe McCarthy should play exactly the same line up and shape at Lincoln on Tuesday. Whether they win or lose doesn't matter they need to stick with it and it will eventually come good plus Lincoln won't be expecting it. Attack attack attack.
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htb added 18:31 - Jan 14
First game for a very long time where I left having felt entertained. So nice to see us actually try and pass the ball through midfield. Whilst not perfect just trying to play football brought the crowd back behind the team creating a decent atmosphere in the second half. So good to see Chambers playing in the centre of defence so much better there, it really has been very unfair on him having to play right back.
I really hope we stick to trying to play football home and away and do not just revert to the previous rubbish if we have a defeat. | | |
Mick_Mills_Tache added 18:32 - Jan 14
It's Blackburn so let's not get carried away. The 3-5-2 formation suits us more...just need Smith to come back from injury for Berra. 3 mistakes in the last three games have all ended in goals conceded.
I don't care if Lawrence will cost £5m....SIGN HIM UP! We'd be a lot closer to Blackburn's position without him and certainly out of the cup to Lincoln.
Still very much #MickOut! | | |
jas0999 added 18:33 - Jan 14
Blues1 - agreed. Lawrence will either stay on at Leicester who may lose a few players when not in Europe or will be signed by a bottom to mid table Premier League side. Quite right to. The only way he is likely to stay with us is if we got promoted ... !! Fraser is a classic example at Bournemouth. Did very well for us and helped him step up to PL football. We shouldn't begrudge Lawrence the same. | | |
Bert added 18:35 - Jan 14
A vastly improved performance and very entertaining game. Effective passing and link up play. Lawrence again outstanding. Skuse controlled the midfield in a surprisingly open game. The penalty was very soft. Blackburn were no fools so this was not a win against easy opposition. Well done to the Fortuna Dusselldorf fans for waking up the BR stand ! Keep it up town. | | |
blackcat added 18:39 - Jan 14
I was there when we won!
But firstly Lawrence did play well although he was very lethargic for first ten mins at least, Emanulle was poor all game and could of cost us another penalty at the end.
However as I was expecting a defeat with the only highlight being mm leaving /sacked.
Both teams were poor at outset with Town slightly better, our keeper is a Keeper let's pray he stays , he has heart and really impressed me today.
It was great to see a win and I really hope the players appreciated the applause after,we only want effort that's all , pride in the shirt! | | |
Fatcatevans added 18:51 - Jan 14
Blackcat what game were you at? Emanuel was excellent and to criticise Lawrence after that performance is bizarre. As for Sears will he ever score again? Clear through at the end he nearly hit the scoreboard rather than the net. A better performance from Town but we need more firepower and a replacement for Bru who is undoubtedly willing but contributing little | | |
Lord_Mac added 18:57 - Jan 14
As has been said before we have NO CHANCE of buying Lawrence. That's not why he's here. We do the same with our players. But if we can find one or two loanees each year of that calibre it goes a long way to putting a decent side together. | | |
Penguinblue added 19:02 - Jan 14
An interesting day with a win, thanks to Lawrence, and Chambers' interview.
The elephant in the room is McCarthy. No one inside the Ipswich set up has the balls to say the obvious, that there is no evidence of any positive coaching or invention, it is the usual tired and tested, failed and boring tactics. Chambers looks better in the middle because his mistakes are less exposed. He is still average at best along with some of the other proper blokes.
There are are lot of good characters in this world but that does not make them suitable to play for Ipswich Town. Those that are are hindered, not helped by McCarthy,
A win but things could be so much better.
McCarthy OUT
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Suffolk_n_Good added 19:03 - Jan 14
First game I've been to for a couple of months, (took the family too!) was a good honest performance today, not perfect, but definitely a move in the correct direction. Smith needs to replace Berra when fit, liked the 3 CB formation, pleased for Emmanuel, another good performance from him. Bart made a great save early on. Lawrence is absolute gold!! I accept that we are not likely to sign him permanently, so let's just enjoy him whilst we can. Just like to finish with a huge well done to Skuse today, I've not always been his biggest fan, but credit where credit is due, he put a bloody good shift in today, roll on Tuesday, enjoy your evening. |  | |
Dissboyitfc added 19:07 - Jan 14
I didnt go and i wont until MM has Gone! But Saturday evenings are far more enjoyable when we have won and by all accounts entertained the fantastic supporters of ITFC. That is all we really ask for and that should be the norm. Lets hope MM now sticks to a winning philosophy and loses the not losing approach, who knows the fans may even start to return. I know its a big shot but we must try to keep Lawrence, sounds like his second was well special.
Well done to all concerned in this victory the management the players and the supporters, supporters who will play their part when being entertained.
Keep it up MM.
Oh and lets not forget, Norwich lost to Rotherham.
Enjoy this evening town fans wherever you are. |  | |
bonamassablue added 19:17 - Jan 14
Football today was better to watch and the meagre crowd got behind their team. Positive performances from Kenlock, who gives us width, and Bart of course. Chambers looked better in the middle but mistakes from Berra and Webster are getting a bit concerning. Bru is obviously talented but goes missing too often and needs more assertion and pace. Lawrence is a class act on this stage but we can only dream about holding on to him. Oh for a big target man up front. Enjoyed the afternoon. | | |
midastouch added 19:22 - Jan 14
Great result! How we're going to miss Lawrence. Let's hope he smashes in another blinder or two against Lincs on Tue night to save our blushes. The thing that is annoying me this season as every time we move within touching distance of Norwich is we then blow the next game. That's what has hurt us so badly this season that we haven't been able to string together two wins on the bounce in the league. That is a big part for why Mick and certain players have come in for a lot of stick this season, aside from the playing style. But when we're getting 3 points against teams below us it doesn't half take the pressure off some and gives us all a much needed lift. If we could win the next two games that would be a huge lift all round. C'mon you Blues!!! |  | |
dirtydingusmagee added 19:23 - Jan 14
Good to get three points,at least those that went today got some return for their money .If we can finish above Norwich it will be some consolation for the dissapointments so far.As for signing Lawrence ,dream on folks I'm afraid, more chance of getting a pkt of Maltesers to the Sun [and I don't mean the paper ] |  | |
stiffy501 added 19:47 - Jan 14
Went today and saw a decent game of football with 5 goals and the town won !!! No complaints as this is all we ask for !!
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prebsa added 19:55 - Jan 14
Good to get the win and three points but we can't keep relying on someone who isent our player
Mick Out | | |
StowTractorBoy added 20:05 - Jan 14
Dissboy I don't think you will be going until the season after next then, as MM will in my opinion see out his contract and who wouldn't on his salary. Cannot understand fans staying away apart from not being able to afford it or commitments. I will never stop watching ITFC whether good or bad and am disappointed there are so many who do not take my line. Those who did not go today missed an entertaining match. It was by no means perfect but a crucial win and hopefully a platform to build on. To those who did come well done for the terrific backing and hope this is now a springboard to better things. See you at Lincoln. | | |
BrettenhamBlue added 20:12 - Jan 14
Brilliant win. Much needed as we go into a season changing game against Lincoln. Entertaining football and felt good to be an Ipswich fan. Blackburn better than I thought they would be and overall a great result. |  | |
Dissboyitfc added 20:33 - Jan 14
Stowtractorboy .... the reason you saw a more entertaining game today is in no small way due to us fans who love the club and are willing to stand up and say when things are wrong. Its a pity more people don't stand up to the club, but just follow regardless and keep turning up week in week out to watch rubbish and cheer it on.
I have made my stand along with others and i hope the club is listening because what is going on is not good enough by a long mile!
Just maybe someone at the club is listening to the supporters who understand football and expect to watch a game of football and enjoy the process of being entertained.
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