Middlesbrough 2-1 Ipswich Town: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral's post-match review of Middlesbrough 2-1 Ipswich Town in the Championship on Friday, 17 October 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Middlesbrough secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town at home, a result that sees them continue their strong form in the Championship. The match was decided by an own goal just before halftime and a crucial strike in the 55th minute, showcasing Middlesbrough's ability to capitalise on key moments. This win extends Middlesbrough's impressive run, having only lost once in their last five games, which included a defeat to Portsmouth. The result might not have been surprising given Middlesbrough's recent performances, but it certainly adds to their momentum as they push for promotion.

Ipswich Town, on the other hand, will be disappointed with the outcome, especially after managing a late goal in the 76th minute. Their recent form had been solid, with three wins and a draw in their last four matches before this defeat. The loss at Middlesbrough breaks a promising streak and leaves them searching for consistency. Despite the setback, Ipswich showed resilience and will need to regroup quickly to maintain their mid-table position.

The statistics from the match suggest a closely contested game, with Ipswich Town holding a slight edge in possession at 52% compared to Middlesbrough's 48%. Despite this, Middlesbrough managed to secure the win, which indicates their efficiency in front of goal. The corner count was notably higher for Ipswich at 9 compared to Middlesbrough's 5, yet it was Middlesbrough who scored from open play. The higher number of yellow cards for Middlesbrough (3) compared to Ipswich (1) might suggest a more aggressive approach from the home side, which could have played a role in their victory.

The turning point of the match came just before halftime when an own goal put Middlesbrough in the lead. This moment shifted the momentum in their favour and set the stage for their eventual victory. The second goal, scored by Middlesbrough in the 55th minute, further solidified their position and proved to be the decisive factor in the game. Despite a late response from Ipswich Town with a goal in the 76th minute, it was not enough to overturn the deficit, highlighting the importance of the earlier goals in determining the outcome.

Middlesbrough lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Sol Brynn in goal and a backline of Callum Brittain, Alfie Jones, Dael Fry, and Matt Targett. The midfield was anchored by Alan Browne and Hayden Hackney, with Morgan Whittaker, Tommy Conway, and Delano Burgzorg supporting striker David Strelec. The lineup showed no major surprises, and the team's performance was bolstered by effective substitutions, with four changes made during the match. The impact of these changes, particularly around the time of the second goal, was crucial in securing the win.

Ipswich Town also opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Alex Palmer between the posts and a defence consisting of Darnell Furlong, Dara O'Shea, Cédric Kipré, and Leif Davis. The midfield duo of Jens Cajuste and Azor Matusiwa supported the attacking trio of Sindre Walle Egeli, Sammie Szmodics, and Jaden Philogene, with George Hirst leading the line. The team made five substitutions throughout the game, indicating an attempt to change the course of the match. Despite their efforts, the lineup and tactical approach were unable to prevent the loss, though individual performances, particularly from O'Shea, were notable.

Dara O'Shea is Coral's Man of the Match for his performance against Middlesbrough. Despite being on the losing side, O'Shea's contribution was significant, scoring the only goal for Ipswich Town in the 76th minute. His goal showcased his ability to find the back of the net when it mattered, even if it was not enough to secure a point for his team. O'Shea's performance was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing result for Ipswich.

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 2-1 vs Ipswich Town (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Portsmouth (A)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Stoke City (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Southampton (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs West Bromwich Albion (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 1-2 vs Middlesbrough (A)
• Win: 3-1 vs Norwich City (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Bristol City (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Portsmouth (H)
• Win: 5-0 vs Sheffield United (H)

Middlesbrough's victory over Ipswich Town has solidified their position at second in the league with 21 points. Their next challenge is a home game against Sheffield Wednesday, who are struggling at the bottom of the table with just 6 points. This result will likely boost Middlesbrough's confidence as they prepare to face a team they should expect to beat, potentially allowing them to maintain their push for automatic promotion.

Ipswich Town's defeat leaves them in 12th place with 13 points. They will travel to face Charlton Athletic, who are positioned 9th with 15 points, in their next fixture. The loss to Middlesbrough might prompt a reassessment of their approach as they look to bounce back and climb the table against a competitive Charlton side.

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