Middlesbrough made ground on the automatic promotion places after their 2-0 win over Ipswich Town at the Riverside Stadium.
Jordan Hugill scored a first half penalty and Marcus Tavernier doubled the lead late on in the game.
The result provided Middlesbrough with a first Championship home win since November 10, and reduced the pressure building on their manager Tony Pulis.
Ipswich have won just one in their last thirteen and stay rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.
However, Middlesbrough’s victory was not as comprehensive as it looks.
The home side took 35 minutes to register a shot on target, a tame on at that, with George Saville volleying from distance into the arms of Dean Gerken.
Sarcastic jeers from the home side after seeing a shot on goal signified the toxic atmosphere at the Riverside at the current moment.
Ipswich took advantage of the disconnect between fans and players and conjured up a couple of decent chances.
The most notable from a corner, as a header from Trevor Chalobah was saved brilliantly by Randolph diving to his right.
Boro’s breakthrough came in the 35th minute, as Stewart Downing crossed in a ball from the right and Jordan Hugill appeared to be pulled down to the ground by Ipswich right back Jordan Spence, a challenge which was deemed a penalty by referee Jeremy Simpson.
Teesside born Jordan Hugill stepped up and confidently slotted home his fifth goal of the season since arriving on loan from West Ham in summer.
The pressure was eased on Boro as they began to take control of the game but the crowd brought the team back to reality, chanting “we scored a goal”.
Boro became more dominant in the second half, with Saville and Hugill having chances apiece and Dean Gerken doing everything he could to prevent a second Middlesbrough goal.
However, the barrier was broke in the 72nd minute as substitute Marcus Tavernier doubled the advantage.
The energetic Jonny Howson fed through the England under 20 International who finished with the outside of his left boot from close range.
Middlesbrough ended the game strong and could have had a third or fourth.
Lewis Wing had a shot blocked close to the six yard box and George Friend headed just over the bar from close range.
An important win for Middlesbrough as a lot of teams around them dropped points in the final set of fixtures for 2018.
THE MANAGERS
Tony Pulis: “I was pleased with the performance, although I was disappointed again with the chances we created that we didn’t score enough goals.
“But you can’t fault the players. The players worked really hard today, and I thought we deserved to win the game.”
Pulis was also asked about Rajiv Van La Parra, who watched the game from the stands at the Riverside.
“It’s close but nothing is done yet.”
Paul Lambert: “I thought the way we played was excellent. They have one player on the bench (Britt Assombalonga) who cost more than our entire team.
“Football wise, we were absolutely brilliant. But we need to be more clinical in the final third. If we get a few in, and I think we need a little bit of help, we will be okay. Football wise, they have been excellent for me – I can’t ask any more.”
Team Lineups:
Middlesbrough: Randolph, Fry, Ayala, Flint, Friend, Howson, Saville, Besic, Wing, Downing, Hugill
Used Subs: Marcus Tavernier, Adam Clayton, Danny Batth
Ipswich: Gerken, Spence, Pennington, Chambers, Kenlock, Chalobah, Nolan, Downes, Edwards, Sears, Jackson
Used Subs: Jordan Roberts, Andre Dozzell
Attendance: 23,334
ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Daniel Ragusa and I am a Multimedia Journalist in the final year of my degree at Teesside University.
COURSE
Sport Journalism, BA (Hons)
BIOGRAPHY
Since I was a child I’ve always dreamed of being involved in sport. Like many others, I wanted to be competing on the biggest sporting stages – however that didn’t exactly go to plan. The next best thing for me was being able to get involved within the sport, and that’s where journalism came in. I’m a proud Teessider, so being able to report on and work with Middlesbrough Football Club is a dream come true for me. I’ve won two awards at University, the ‘Ali Brownlee Sports Coverage Award’ and also the ‘Video Journalist of the Year award’. Every day that I get to work in this industry is a pleasure, and I’m excited for whatever the future holds following my graduation from University.
Software & Hardware Proficiencies
I am skilled using Adobe software, Open Media, Scheduler, Dira applications and iMovie. I’m very familiar with various pieces of radio hardware and can desk drive at BBC Radio Stations. I can also use professional cameras, as well as video cameras such as the AC-90.
Employment, Work Experience & Volunteering
I currently freelance for BBC Radio Tees as both a Journalist and a Broadcast Assistant. These roles involve producing content for all kinds of different shows, speaking to a variety of different people. I’m also part of the BBC Radio Tees sport team, where I work on a match day for both Middlesbrough and Hartlepool United fixtures.
I have also carried out work for Middlesbrough Football Club, Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation, Tyne and Wear TV and Sky News. As well as this I also voluntarily worked for Stockton-based charity ‘A Way Out’ as part of their 2018 Christmas campaign, producing various amounts of content for them.
Interests
Despite studying a Sport Journalism course, I often delve into the wider journalistic world too. I have created pieces of work varying from politics to mental health. I love to play sport, something in which has increased my knowledge of the differing rules in each sport. I have a keen eye for graphic design, and also love music. Visiting different places in the world and photography are also huge passions of mine.
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