Ipswich plough on as deadly Chaplin takes starring role
IPSWICH boss Kieran Mckenna hailed his side’s “complete performance’’ as the second-placed Tractor Boys ploughed on in their promotion drive.
It was their 15th win in 20 Championship games but rocky Middlesbrough slipped to a third loss in four matches.
Conor Chaplin grabbed his eighth goal this season on 36 minutes and set up the decisive strike in the 67th minute for sub Omari Hutchinson, who had been on the field only five minutes.
That sealed Town’s sixth away league win of the campaign as Mckenna put one over his former Manchester United coaching colleague, Boro counterpart Michael Carrick.
Mckenna said: “I thought it was a complete performance really, especially for an away game and against a very good team.
“We controlled most elements of the game.
“The second goal was important – I’m delighted for Omari. It was a really good team goal.
“And Conor’s goal was a great strike. When you have Conor on the pitch, sometimes a half-chance is a chance if it’s anywhere near the box.’’
It took 24 minutes for the first shot on goal – Ipswich striker George Hirst’s tame effort looping harmlessly into the arms of keeper Seny Dieng.
But the visitors had more luck when Boro skipper Jonny Howson couldn’t deal with Wes Burns’ rightwing pull-back and Chaplin’s snapshot flicked off the head of defender Matt Clarke as it flew past Dieng.
Boro striker Emmanuel Latte Lath almost came up with a swift reply, dancing through the defence but steering his finish narrowly wide.
After the break, Ipswich keeper Vaclav Hladky produced a tremendous reaction save to keep out Matt Crooks’ header from Dan Barlaser’s free-kick.
But Boro were undone again when Chaplin released Hutchinson on the left and he beat Dieng at the near post.
Boro who are 12th in the table, three points outside the play-off spots, failed to muster an attempt on target before the break, offering little in the final third and boss Carrick – without nine players due to injuries and suspensions – said: “Ipswich are a good team. It’s not for me to say if they are automatic promotion contenders, but I’m sure they have a chance. “I feel for my boys. “For all the effort, they just lacked that fine edge of quality in the bigger moments.’’ MIDDLESBROUGH: Dieng 6; van den Berg 6, Fry 6, Clarke 6, Engel 6 (Bangura (78) 5); Howson 5, Barlaser 6; Greenwood 5 (Silvera (70) 5), Crooks 6, Rogers 5; Latte Lath 6 IPSWICH: Hladky 7; Clarke 6, Woolfenden 6, Burgess 7, Davis 7; Morsy 7, Taylor 6 (Ball (86) 5); Burns 7 (Jackson (75) 5), Chaplin 8 (Harness (75) 5), Broadhead 6 (Hutchinson (62) 7); Hirst 7 (Ladapo (86) 5) STAR MAN: Conor Chaplin – Playmaker scored the first goal and made the second. REF: Dean Whitestone 6