A thrilling defeat of Ipswich based on firm foundations with Teesside steel

TO say Middlesbrough's 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town was eventful would be an understatement.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Missed sitters, penalty saves, clearances off the line, super saves and three goals in an end-to-end game of football served as a great advert for Championship football.

Most importantly though, it ended in victory for Boro, who rebounded well from their first league defeat of the season last time out.

There were so many individuals who could be picked out after the game.

Alan Browne and Delano Burgzorg were superb as they came into the side, Morgan Whittaker grabbed his first goal for the club, and David Strelec had his brightest game for the club despite his miss, excelling in the number 10 role.

But what was particularly pleasing about this one was the very Teesside influence on the victory.

Seeing your own excelling for the club will always stir up extra delight. At Boro, they have three current first-team stars who are Boro through and through. They increase the connection between the team and supporters, and on Friday night they were all pivotal to the statement win.

Sol Brynn was massive again in between the sticks, with his biggest contribution being that penalty save just moments before Boro took the lead.

In games like this, the first goal is almost always so important, with Kieran McKenna acknowledging as much after, too. That penalty save was huge.

Just ahead of him, Dael Fry was a giant for his side, providing some huge blocks and winning almost all of his aerial duels as well.

On top of that, his goal-line clearance was another massive moment for Boro at 0-0.