The signs are positive for Paul Jewell’s Ipswich Town after claiming a valuable point and another clean sheet in a goalless draw at early pace-setters Middlesbrough.
Vital Report:
For the first time in the league this season, manager Paul Jewell elected to field an unchanged side, Ipswich lining up with the same 4-4-2 diamond lineup as the 3-0 victory over Coventry City. Ibrahima Sonko was passed fit despite the injury he picked up in that game to join Danny Collins in defence, whilst Jason Scotland continued with Michael Chopra up front. Meanwhile one time Town loanee Matthew Bates lined up in defence for Middlesbrough, managed by ex-Blue Tony Mowbray.
Town had been boosted by their win last week, but they would be facing a much bigger challenge against Middlesbrough, who were looking to return to the top of the Championship table with victory at the Riverside. After Jimmy Bullard had an early shot blocked for Town, Barry Robson forced David Stockdale into the first save of the match from a free kick 10 minutes in. The former Celtic midfielder then had an effort blocked in one of few chances during a slow start to the game.
However, things livened up after 20 minutes as Town began to create some good chances. Having gotten forward for a Bullard corner, Sonko found space to connect with Keith Andrews’ ball back into the box, only to nod off target from close range. Later in the half, Chopra had a great chance to make up for his misses against Coventry, but his volley from Carlos Edwards’ cross flew straight at Middlesbrough keeper Carl Ikeme who managed to divert the ball over the bar for a corner.
Town continued to pose the bigger threat as the clock ticked towards half time. With Robson dragging wide for the hosts, Lee Bowyer had a shot deflected out of play with Aaron Cresswell striking a 30-yard effort high over the bar from the resulting corner, then Grant Leadbitter shot just wide from the edge of the box before the whistle sounded for the interval.
Following an unimpressive first half display, Middlesbrough carved out the first opportunity after the restart, former Ipswich transfer target Faris Haroun nodding over before Scott McDonald – who scored the opener in the same fixture at the Riverside last year – was denied by Stockdale on 50 minutes. Town were soon putting the pressure back on though, Scotland charging forward before unleashing a firm drive which came back off the foot of the right-hand post.
Having survived that scare, Boro might have taken the lead at the other end. Having needed to clear from McDonald after a weak pass back by Edwards, Stockdale was then called to tip Joe Bennett’s cross away before Justin Hoyte blasted over on the rebound when he probably should have done better. Soon after, Bullard saw a free kick zip narrowly wide of the post for Town, then McDonald again fired off target before having another effort blocked by Stockdale.
The game was now looking much more even with both sides creating their share of chances. Leadbitter had a shot saved before Collins blocked from McDonald on 68 minutes, then Chopra released Scotland to run at Ikeme in the Middlesbrough goal, only for Hoyte to get back and divert the Trinidadian’s shot just wide. With a quarter of an hour left, the hosts felt they should have had a penalty for a Bowyer handball in the box, but referee Scott Mathieson decided against awarding a spotkick.
With 10 minutes left, McDonald headed Hoyte’s cross into the side-netting before Town boss Jewell made his only change of the game, Daryl Murphy replacing Scotland. Sonko was then required to make a last ditch challenge to prevent Marvin Emnes finding a winner in stoppage time as the final whistle sounded to hand both teams a point from an entertaining encounter.
Given the form that Middlesbrough have been enjoying since toward the end of last season and their position in the top two of the early Championship table, a point is certainly not to be sniffed at for Ipswich, nor indeed is a second successive clean sheet. There will be some disappointment that the Blues were not able to take just one of their good chances in the game, with Sonko, Chopra and Scotland all close to finding a winner. However, the signs are there that Jewell’s team – most notably the defence – is finally starting to settle, and with more tough fixtures to come against West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion this week, today’s draw should give the Blues another much-needed confidence boost.
Middlesbrough: Ikeme, Hoyte (Thomson 82), Bennett, Bates, Williams, McMahon, Bailey, Robson (Nimely 82), Haroun, McDonald, Emnes – Not used: McManus, Zemamma, Arca
Ipswich: Stockdale, Cresswell, Collins, Sonko, Leadbitter, Edwards, Bowyer, Andrews, Bullard, Chopra, Scotland (Murphy 85) – Not used: Lee-Barrett, Delaney, Ainsley, Emmanuel-Thomas
Vital Ipswich is looking for a new editor! Interested? Click the banner below for more information or click here for details of how to apply.
Were you at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday? Was this a point gained or two points dropped? Do you think Town are finally turning the corner, and how do you think we will perform in our upcoming tough run of fixtures?
Have your say on this game as well as all things Town by joining Vital Ipswich:
And get in-depth match previews and reports on every Ipswich Town game throughout the season by following Vital Ipswich on Facebook and Twitter:
Share this article
Related Articles
