Middlesbrough top the Championship after 2-1 win over Ipswich

Middlesbrough returned to the top of the Championship with a 2-1 win over Ipswich Town at the Riverside Stadium on Friday, taking the points thanks to an own goal by Ipswich defender Cédric Kipré and a second-half strike from Morgan Whittaker. Darragh O’Shea pulled one back for Ipswich late on, but Middlesbrough held on to end a mini wobble in their season and leapfrog rivals at the summit.

The game swung in Middlesbrough’s favour in a dramatic closing sequence to the first half. With the score goalless, Ipswich striker George Hirst had a penalty saved by home goalkeeper Sol Brynn. Moments later, Kipré diverted a cross into his own net in first-half added time to hand the hosts a fortuitous lead. Ten minutes after the restart Whittaker finished from close range after Ipswich keeper Alex Palmer could only parry a cross, doubling Middlesbrough’s advantage. Ipswich reduced the deficit with O’Shea’s header with about 15 minutes remaining, but could not find an equaliser.

Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards made four changes to the side beaten at Portsmouth in their previous league outing, shifting to a back four and selecting Alan Browne, Whittaker, David Strelec and Delano Burgzorg...