For Middlesbrough, ‘it is good being at the top of the table’ after Ipswich win

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka hailed an 'amazing win' on Friday night to send his side top of the Championship with three points from a 2-0 result against Ipswich Town.

David Nugent of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring his team's second goal in their Championship win over Ipswich Town on Friday night. Stephen Pond / Getty Images / December 4, 2015

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka hailed an amazing win after his side ended their Portman Road hoodoo in style while David Nugent continued his own remarkable run against Ipswich Town to help his side move to the top of the Championship.

Middlesbrough tasted victory in Suffolk for the first time since 1993 with an impressive second half showing, capped by goals from Christian Stuani and Nugent in a 2-0 win.

The prolific striker netted for the 15th time in 14 games against Ipswich.

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Karanka said: “It was an amazing win. We haven’t won here since March 1993 and Ipswich were the better team in the first half when they were comfortable, played with more intensity and had the better chances.

“If they had scored the first goal, we would have had a problem. But we played better in the second half and we controlled the game.

“It is good being at the top of the table. We are there because we are doing good things and we have an amazing squad, a better one than last season. But there is still a long way to go.”

A closely-fought first half was characterised by half chances at either end before Middlesbrough stepped it up after the restart and Ipswich failed to respond.

Middlesbrough should have broken the deadlock when Grant Leadbitter’s close range shot was skillfully blocked by Dean Gerken before they took the lead in the 54th minute.

Albert Adomah’s deep cross was headed in by Stuani from close range, despite Gerken’s best efforts.

The goal spurred the visitors on and they proceeded to dominate the match.

The impressive Stewart Downing twice went close before he turned provider to make the points safe.

Downing’s neat pass played in Nugent and he gained a yard on Tommy Smith to find the net via a deflection off the unfortunate Ipswich defender and the inside of the post.

Ipswich were denied as Dimi Konstantopoulos made a point blank save to repel Jonas Knudsen’s attempt.

Middlesbrough went even closer when Adomah saw his effort cleared off the line by Luke Chambers when it looked easier to score.

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy said: “In the first half, I thought there were two good sides going at it.

“We shaded it slightly and I said at half-time it would be whoever blinked first or let their guard down.

“We didn’t defend the far post for the first goal and when that goes in, it changes the game.

“They are a very good side and will be competing for a top two place at the end of the season.

“In Stewart Downing and David Nugent, they have two Premier League footballers probably on Premier League salaries. Nugent didn’t have a kick before his goal but he took it well.”

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