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Middlesbrough 2-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 29th Dec 2018 16:57

Jordan Hugill netted a contentious 37th-minute penalty and sub Marcus Tavernier added a second on 72 as Middlesbrough beat Town 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium. The Blues had the better of the few first-half chances but found themselves behind from the spot after Jordan Spence was adjudged to have fouled Hugill, with Tavernier’s goal sealing the three points in the second half.

Myles Kenlock was handed his first appearance under Paul Lambert having returned from an ankle injury with Jonas Knudsen dropping to the bench, the first time the Blues boss had made a change to his back four since taking charge.

Gwion Edwards took over from Grant Ward, who is out for at least nine months having suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury at QPR, on the right of the front three with Kayden Jackson coming in for Ellis Harrison, who dropped to the bench, down the middle.

Former Blue Grant Leadbitter wasn’t in the Boro 18 - but wandered into the press room before the match - while Town target Rudy Gestede was among the Teessiders’ subs.

The home side were first to threaten in the fifth minute, Jonny Howson finding space on the right of the box before hitting a shot which deflected wide off Kenlock.

There were no further opportunities at either end in the opening 10 minutes but with a scrappy affair largely being played in Town’s half, although with Boro rarely being able to break into the final third.

On 11, a Lewis Wing freekick from the right was cleared out to Stewart Downing and the former England international hit an effort from the edge of the box which looped over Dean Gerken’s crossbar.

The Blues created their first chance of the game in the 13th minute. After good work from Flynn Downes and Jon Nolan, Kenlock cut in from the left and played a clever reverse pass in to Freddie Sears who hit a low shot which Boro keeper Darren Randolph claimed comfortably.

Trevoh Chalobah was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 18th minute for pulling back George Saville having lost possession as the Blues looked to pass their way out of defence, far from the first time Town had given away the ball in such circumstances during the opening spell.

In the aftermath of the freekick, Teessiders’ skipper George Friend blazed over, then in the 22nd minute one-time Blues target Hugill shot high and wide at the end of a pacy Boro attack.

Two minutes later, Randolph palmed over a looping Luke Chambers header from the edge of the box, then from the resultant corner on the right the Blues almost took the lead.

Nolan sent the ball over and Chalobah headed goalwards only for Randolph to dive across to his right and get a strong arm on the ball to divert what looked set to be the opening goal past the post.


Town began to pass the ball around confidently but without getting into threatening areas. Boro meanwhile were getting scruffier, losing the ball needlessly much to the frustration of their fans.

Spence shot well over from distance for the Blues on 31, then two minutes later Hugill volleyed over for the home side after Town had made heavy weather of clearing a Wing freekick in from the right.

Saville struck a not overly taxing effort straight at Gerken from 25 yards in the 35th minute - their first effort on target - to sarcastic cheers from the home fans.

But two minutes later the Boro support were cheering the game’s opening goal. A cross was sent over from the right and Spence was somewhat harshly adjudged to have hauled Hugill to the ground as they challenged for the aerial ball.

Referee Jeremy Simpson, an official never shy to award a penalty having given three in Town’s game at Reading a couple of seasons ago, pointed straight to the spot. After the Blues had made their obvious frustrations known, Hugill beat Gerken to give the Teessiders a lead they hadn’t really deserved.

Downes joined Chalobah in the book for a frustrated foul on Aden Flint in the 39th minute, then in first-half injury time the Blues almost levelled.

Jackson robbed Flint on the Town left then fed Nolan, who played the ball in to Sears, whose reverse shot was blocked by the advancing Randolph. Nolan might well have been better off playing in Edwards, who was breaking into the box on the right.

The Blues could count themselves a touch unlucky to be behind at the break after a half in which they’d had the better of the few chances with Randolph the keeper forced to make the more decisive saves.

Boro’s fans were beginning to express their frustrations with their side more vocally when referee Simpson gave them what looked at best a generous penalty.

The early period of the second half returned to the scruffiness of much of the first with chances continuing to be rare at both ends.

On 53 Blues Chambers read a low ball played across the area for Wing and was caught on the ankle by the Boro midfielder as he cleared. The Blues skipper looked in a great deal of pain and received treatment on the pitch before continuing, much to the relief of the Town management and support.

Town were finding themselves under increasing pressure as the hour mark approached and in the 59th minute Boro went close to their second goal. Saville found Hugill in space on the left of the box but Gerken pawed his goalbound effort away.

Moments later, Downes appeared to catch Saville as he broke into the area, an incident which at first viewing looked more of a penalty than the one awarded in the first half, but on this occasion referee Simpson waved away the home side’s protests.

Boro sub Marcus Tavernier was yellow-carded for pulling back Spence on the Blues right on 66, soon after having replaced Downing. The freekick ultimately came to nothing but Town were beginning play more of the game in the Boro half.

The Blues swapped Jackson for Jordan Roberts in the 71st minute but before the former Crawley man could make an impact the Teessiders doubled their lead.

Howson found Tavernier breaking into the area on the left and the England U20 international hit a low shot which somehow snuck under Gerken and into the net with the keeper clearly frustrated that he had allowed it past him.

Andre Dozzell replaced Nolan in the Town midfield for the final 11 minutes with the game looking all but over.

Gerken claimed Hugill’s looping header from Friend’s cross in the 81st minute, then on 87 the Blues keeper made a double save, stopping sub Adam Clayton’s well-struck shot from the edge of the box, then grabbing Friend’s deflected follow-up at the second attempt.

Town created their best chance of the half in the 89th minute, Kenlock crossing from the left and Roberts heading wide of Randolph’s left post.

In injury time, Gerken saved well from Wing who really should have made it 3-0 having been found in space eight yards out, then Friend headed well over.

Seconds before the whistle, Gerken made an even more impressive save to deny Hugill, flying away to his left to tip what was a header bound for the corner of the net wide.

Having been unfortunate in the first half, the Blues rarely threatened in the second and once Boro had established their two-goal lead - their second another goal which looked very preventable - there was little doubt where the points would go, a familiar scenario in recent weeks. In the end only a succession of excellent Gerken saves stopped the margin of victory from being more significant.

The gap to safety remains at seven points, Bristol City having scored a late winner at home to 21st-placed Rotherham, but Millwall, who Town host in a vital game at Portman Road on New Year's Day, are now 10 points ahead of the Blues in 20th.

Middlesbrough: Randolph, Friend (c), Ayala (Batth 90), Hugill, Howson, Downing (Tavernier 61), Fry, Saville, Flint, Wing, Besic (Clayton 86). Unused: Lonergan, Assombalonga, McNair, Gestede.

Town: Gerken, Spence, Chambers (c), Pennington, Kenlock, Chalobah, Nolan (Dozzell 79), Downes, Edwards, Sears, Jackson (Roberts 71). Unused: Bialkowski, Knudsen, Harrison, Bishop, Nsiala. Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire). Att: 23,334 (Town: 362).


Photo: Action Images



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Lathers added 17:40 - Dec 29
We would have done well to get a result at Boro this season or last so no unexpected. As the 5 clubs above us are also pretty awful Evans has to give PL what he needs in the January window to at least have a go at surviving. Can PL bring in what we need though? If we are 15 points etc adrift come March then start planning for League One and giving game time to only those who PL wants in his team next season.
0

carlo88 added 17:41 - Dec 29
I notice all of our relegation rivals had difficult fixtures today, most of them dug in and came out with good results. Something we seem unable to do. Perhaps we're 'enjoying' the football too much.
4

brittaniaman added 17:44 - Dec 29
Not a very good Christmas for us, 1pt. out of 9pts. Relegation very much on the cards now, just cannot see us getting out of this situation.
If Bart is still not good enough to go in goal, then Pope or Heaton are worth a call because Dyche still favours his Hart ???
3 Cup Finals coming up now !!!!
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ArnieM added 17:44 - Dec 29
Lol
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Help added 17:44 - Dec 29
ME you reap what you sow. What questions do you ask in the manager job interviews, who else is in that room with you. You sanction the purchase of players, are any questions raised. I am not only talking about PH but PJ & RK. 3 poor managers at this club under your tenure as owner. MM did a wonderful job of keeping us afloat year after year, but his time had come the football was poor and the fans disinterested.

If PL had been here from the start would Garner and Waghorn have stayed, would David McGoldrick still be here. Do you really think adding 11 players to a team was the right thing? We are in this mess because of your attitude to this club, because of your actions. Sadly I do not think that the league 1 & 2 players we have on the books are good enough even under PL to get promoted from Div 1 next year. You ME have made to many mistakes at this club during your tenure starting with the sacking of Jim Magilton.

How much less money will be spent next year on the new FFP budget for Div 1 teams when the crowd drops even more on this year and even less players want to come here. I feel next year will be U23 team with a couple of experience players PL can get in.

I cannot see you spending money in January on loan players because it looks like all hope is lost already. Throwing good money after bad seems to be your forte, so maybe you will, just one last throw of the dice to keep us up just in case PL can perform miracles.

9

ChrisR added 17:46 - Dec 29
Problem is owner and M D with utterly no knowledge of the game .
Just wishful thinking that all these useless Hurst signings would work.
Was there no one at the Club with the wit to tell Evans the risk he was taking ...or does he even care ? This really could be the end of ITFC as we know it , who would contemplate taking on £100 mill debt , with declining crowds and utterly no assets .
12

ITFCsince73 added 17:47 - Dec 29
Robsonwark. You should already know he can't be dropped.
He has a guaranteed starter clause in his contract.
There is no other logical explanation.
5

ITFCsince73 added 17:47 - Dec 29
Robsonwark....plus he is a top bloke.
4

19781981twtd added 17:52 - Dec 29
Different day same old shi** lets face it in the immortal words of fraser in dads army "we're doomed" mm saved are arses for several seasons ph was a bigger disaster than the titanic and 'll will need to work a bigger miracle they parting the red see .one high note today GOOD OLD JACK MARRIOTT winner against the scum .
5

DoseOfReality added 17:56 - Dec 29
Who thinks January will come & with usual bullsh1te from our useless owner.

Linked with loads of players but can't get deals done coz of wages.

When we relegated Lambert realises he cant work with Evans & moves on to save his career.

Evans has totally destroyed everything about the club ...

Do one you useless clown Evans
8

Henrietta_R_Hippo added 17:57 - Dec 29
One Special Halfway Observation:
Hmmm do I got this get this straight that if we either don't exactly face friendly defending as Swansea's (and btw eventually wind up getting away with the biggest "heist" since Securitas in Tonbridge!) or again have **Lady Luck** aid us by way of some truly wicked deflection (like against Wigan & Sheffiled U)... this is probably the most utterly ANEMIC Town side I can recall in my 40+ years as a fan?!

Aye for a welcome change (to the norm) we actually had well over 1-3 'Shots on Target today in us having a some fairly decent opportunities in fact ... but as always in football is all about being clinical & opportunistic whenever you get one of the more remotely clearer ones, especially if you are not a very creative side per say... and sigh sigh with painstaking few aberrations (again like that memorable visit to the Liberty Stadium in Wales) that this saddening "League-1-like ragtag squad" like ours has most certainly not been thus far this season!

But remain calm please! :-) :-) Cause factually we are far from down yet people -- Exactly as I preached last week with 22 games left -- And with an easier LOOKING schedule the next few games, particularly against Rotherham who themselves are having serious trouble scoring and will now be without at least one of their few goalgrabbers this season as key midfielder Ricky Towell got a straight red today.

And NOW let's get some truly strong veterans like say.... Neuer , Chiellinie & Messi & on "emergency" loan please Mr. Evans :-) :-)
2

cranky_old_tractor added 18:02 - Dec 29
Feel sorry for Paul Lambert. If the phoenix is to rise from the ashes this season then you'd better back your manager ME! Team have played better than under previous regime but weaknesses are evident. Back PL with £££s and try not to make any decisions......Hurst was the worst!
6

ShropshireBluenago09 added 18:06 - Dec 29
Blue army 81 - we get the message.
Although, we are stuck with ME whether you like it or not. The appointment of Hurst could have worked had our key players not left, at the start of the season. Hurst is at fault to an extent for not buying ANY proven championship quality.
We hope to add some quality in January, something ME has already said he will do.
2

planetblue_2011 added 18:08 - Dec 29
Our next 2 games are the biggest of the season, don't win both of them & ive gotta accept league 1 football next season. These next 2 games is our last chance to have a fighting chance of staying up. One thing is where will the fight come from. Rb, cb, cm, str & cf, we need for any hope.
Today's game on the other hand is rotten luck again with pen & nothing good second half. NO FIGHT ITFC!!!!!
1

Town4me added 18:10 - Dec 29
@Thundercat :- I still wouldn't have kept him in hindsight. What's the point in finishing lower midtable every year?? May as well take a gamble and try something different!
5

Swn98 added 18:12 - Dec 29
Thanks nsv meet you for a pint 😊
1

blueboy1981 added 18:13 - Dec 29
To all thou of blind faith - maybe you at last can see that however optimistic you tend to be - we are DOWN.

After today I am genuinely concerned, not only about the team and pending relegation, but the actual future, and existence of our Club.

The team is unfortunately a lost cause, we were awful is the factual truth again today - we could have lost by five clear goals if it wasn't for Gerken in the second half.
Don't forget that Middlesboro' have been limping along recently, and anything but impressive - but they made us look nothing short of futile.

On another note, don't expect what some of you tout in terms of magical signings in January to arrest the situation, it will not happen.
Ask yourself this - Who of note would be keen to come and play for a sinking (sunken ! ) ship ... ?? before your run away with delusional thinking and anticipation.

I predicted we needed MEN against Boro' today, we had some in the first half - what happened to them in the second half ... ??

Brutal - but that is what's required to save our Club. what's happening is no joke.

How long can we hold on to Paul Lambert ? .......... with this sad state of affairs.
4

ShropshireBluenago09 added 18:16 - Dec 29
I have all faith in Lambert to turn us around, only given at least 3 championship quality additions in Jan
2

Bluearmy_81 added 18:19 - Dec 29
"What's the point in finishing lower midtable every year?? May as well take a gamble and try something different!"

Why did we finish lower midtable every year? Cos we weren't good enough. Why weren't we good enough? Cos players didn't have the necessary quality. Why not? Cos owner didn't invest anywhere near sufficiently. Chronic long term underfunding. Don't blame evans though!!! Noooooo!!!!!
3

Lightningboy added 18:20 - Dec 29
Good riddance to an awful year for our club..no matter what happens in 2019 the damage was done in the summer of 2018.

No more fannying about,if we fail to win the next 2 at home then that's that i'm afraid.
6

Bluesaway added 18:21 - Dec 29
It's been clear for some time that we will be dependent on loan signings in January if we are to stay up. The challenge is that two of our most important games - the proverbial six-pointers - are at the start of January, so we are unlikely to have new players on board, certainly for the first one, so we need to get belief into the current squad. We cannot afford to drop points to those struggling with us.

The defence has been a weakness for nearly three years, but what has changed? Spence, Chambers, Knudsen have been regulars throughout along with either Gerken/Bialowski, yet the problems persist. Clearly, Donacien and Nsiala are not rated by PL, as neither are seen as good enough to displace the usual suspects. We need to shore up the defence to stand a chance of getting wins, just as MM did when he first arrived. 2 x CB and a quality RB needed urgently.
2

Blocker123 added 18:23 - Dec 29
I predicted after last win and draw, nothing in the tough 2 away games, then 3 wins on the bounce.
I do believe that over the long term PL will do very well. And I do believe that he'll will keep us up. I hope so as put £200 on it at 4/1.
#thegreatescape.

1

Elizabeth added 18:25 - Dec 29
Paul Lambert has inherited some below par “footballers “ .. get some decent players in and he'll save us ! Next post will be 2019 .. bring it on for hopefully better days !
2

runaround added 18:26 - Dec 29
Not good enough in both boxes but that's been the story all season!
We have made it to January 7 points plus goals difference from safety. It' take a minor miracle to avoid relegation but all we can do is hope PL gets the players in he wants who actually hit the ground running & support the boys to hopefully pick up a large return of points from the upcoming run of winnable matches. We have to be loud & proud at every moment now as our club needs us.
Ipswich till I die
4

Elizabeth added 18:26 - Dec 29
Oh and Blueboy 1981 we are not down YET !!
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