Ipswich 2-2 Middlesbrough: Promotion hopefuls play out entertaining clash
Ipswich 2-2 Middlesbrough: Promotion hopefuls play out entertaining clash Ipswich and Middlesbrough played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Portman Road this afternoon, as both sides continue to hunt for promotion. David Strelec opened the scoring for Boro, before Kasey McAteer equalised for Ipswich shortly after. The second half saw end to end action, with Tommy Conway putting the visitors ahead for a second time, but the points were shared in the end after Jack Clarke dispatched a controversial penalty late in the day.
As It Happened Ipswich made four changes following defeat to Portsmouth last time out, the headline being Jaden Philogene making his first home start since January. Meanwhile, Morgan Whittaker returned to the bench for Boro this afternoon. Conway conceded an early foul after charging into Darnell Furlong inside the Ipswich half.
Solomon Brynn was the first keeper called into action, comfortably catching an Ipswich free-kick. Moments later, Iván Azon registered the hosts’ first shot , but his clever flick went wide. A lack of communication between Brynn and Adilson Malanda nearly gifted Ipswich an opener, but Malanda kept his cool and cleared the ball.
Azon went close again after 17 minutes, but Dael Fry was able to get a crucial block on the shot to send it wide of the post. The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, this time with Furlong missing from inside the area. However, it was Middlesbrough who took the lead when Strelec poked home from close range following a brilliant passing move from the Kim Hellberg’s side.
Ipswich fans didn’t have to wait long to see their side draw level, however, when McAteer tucked the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty box, a brilliant strike following a lovely backheel assist from Azon. Philogene nearly put the Tractor Boys ahead with a long-range volley, but Brynn was equal to it with an outstanding save down to his right-hand side before catching the resultant corner. Christian Walton was also forced into his first save of the game before the break, denying Strelec a second of the game and keeping the score level at half-time.
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