AAP Soccer

Middlesbrough go top of Championship with victory

By AAP Newswire

Oct 18, 2025

Socceroo Samuel Silvera came on for Middlesbrough to sure things up for the Championship leaders. -AAP Image

Morgan Whittaker scored his first Middlesbrough goal as Rob Edwards' side returned to the top of the Championship with an action-packed 2-1 win over Ipswich.

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Whittaker doubled Boro's lead in the 55th minute after Cedric Kipre's own goal in first-half added time had gifted them the advantage, shortly after home goalkeeper Sol Brynn saved a George Hirst penalty.

Ipswich, who had their own keeper Alex Palmer to thank for keeping them level with a series of big saves around the half-hour mark, reduced the deficit through Dara O'Shea's header but scarcely threatened to claim the point that would have extended their five-match unbeaten run.

Victory snapped a three-game winless run for the hosts, who had made their intent plain by belatedly pummelling the visitors' goal after a forgettable first half hour.

Ipswich, stewing over a penalty appeal that was turned down after Hirst's rising shot struck the arm of Alfie Jones, were saved three times in quick succession by Palmer.

The former West Brom keeper first stopped a low drive from Tommy Conway, then flipped Hayden Hackney's deflected effort over the crossbar before tipping away Alan Browne's drive from the resulting corner.

Riley McGree was an unused substitute for Edwards' aspiring Premier League side, but fellow Socceroo Sammy Silvera was introduced in the 82nd minute to sure things up for the league leaders.