Goal ace Brett is a Pit of alright!
Pat leads Boro charge with brilliant double
PATRICK BAMFORD struck two stunning second- half goals as Middlesbrough put their promotion rivals to the sword.
Daniel Ayala gave Aitor Karanka’s side an early lead, but Championship top scorer Daryl Murphy equalised with his 23rd goal of the season.
Boro regained the lead through Albert Adomah, before Bamford’s brace made sure of the points.
Boro flew straight out of the traps and forced the opener in the third minute after Jelle Vossen won a corner.
Former Ipswich midfielder Grant Leadbitter played it short to Adam Clayton, who clipped a perfect ball into the six- yard box for Ayala to glance past Dean Gerken.
The Tractor Boys’ goalkeeper then had to be replaced by Bartosz Bialkowski following a collision with Ayala which brought a five- minute delay.
When play resumed, Ipswich drew level almost immediately.
Middlesbrough keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos managed to get a hand to Jonathan Parr’s thundering shot, but the ball fell to Murphy and he poked in from close range.
Murphy almost bagged his second in the 22nd minute when Boro failed to clear a corner.
But the Irishman’s shot was deflected onto a post before Konstantopoulos managed to gather.
Clever
Boro regained the lead on the half- hour after a well- worked set- piece fell to Adomah and the winger drilled through a crowd of players past Bialkowski.
The second half started sluggishly, but Boro created a good opportunity on 53 minutes.
George Friend played an impressive diagonal ball to Adomah on the right flank and his left- foot cross found Vossen, but he miskicked his shot and the ball looped over.
Boro gave themselves a cushion with the third goal in the 64th minute.
Vossen’s clever header put Bamford through on goal and the on- loan Chelsea hitman calmly rounded Bialkowski before rolling into an empty net for his 12th of the season.
The 21- year- old got his second in the 79th minute with a superb individual effort.
He dummied Tommy Smith, turning the central defender inside- out before firing low past Bialkowski.
Bamford should have bagged his hat- trick four minutes from time. Adomah raced clear and laid the ball off for the striker, but he ballooned a right- foot effort over the bar. WOODY GREAT: Bamford gets a hug from his skipper
at the final whistle BRETT PITMAN bagged a hat- trick as Bournemouth blew away Blackpool for the second time this season to stay top.
Callum Wilson added a fourth from the spot after the break to earn the Cherries a third straight win, while Blackpool look certs for League One next season after a fifth loss in a row left them 18 points from safety.
Watford joined Bournemouth on 69 points with a 4- 1 victory at home to Reading. Almen Abdi, Matej Vydra, Troy Deeney and Fernando Forestieri were all on target for the Hornets, with Jem Karacan replying.
Two more title hopefuls battled it out at Carrow Road, where Norwich and Derby drew 1- 1.
Cameron Jerome fired the Canaries ahead, but an own goal by John Ruddy meant it finished all square.
Brentford were the only losers in the top six as they were beaten 2- 1 at home to Cardiff, who ended the game with nine men.
Trapdoor
Andre Gray gave the Bees the lead but goals from Federico Macheda and Alex Revell turned the match on its head, before Kadeem Harris and Macheda were sent off late on.
Wolves needed a Rajiv van La Parra equaliser to draw 1- 1 at Brighton, who went in front through Bruno Saltor.
At the bottom, Millwall look likely to follow Blackpool through the trapdoor after Adam Le Fondre’s first- half double gave Bolton a 2- 0 win.
Jermaine Pennant kept Wigan’s survival hopes alive as two superb free- kicks handed them a 2- 1 win at Rotherham. Matt Derbyshire headed a reply for the Millers.
Elsewhere, Jordan Rhodes’ brace helped Blackburn to a 3- 1 victory at Charlton, while Matt Smith’s leveller earned Fulham a 1- 1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday.
Joe Lolley gave Huddersfield a point in a 1- 1 draw at Birmingham, while Leeds and Nottingham Forest drew 0- 0 at Elland Road.