Middlesbrough returned to the top of the Championship after a 2–1 win over Ipswich Town.
Morgan Whittaker’s second-half strike proved the difference at the Riverside Stadium, with a Cedric Kipre own goal putting the hosts ahead before a late Dara O’Shea header proved academic for the visitors.
Kieran McKenna’s side had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 44th minute when Callum Brittain was adjudged to have brought down Leif Davis in the box.
However, Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn guessed correctly to deny George Hirst from 12 yards.
The hosts bizarrely capitalized on their goal in first-half stoppage time when Kipre unknowingly turned Delano Burgzorg’s low cross into his own goal.
Rob Edwards’ side doubled their lead ten minutes after half-time, with Whittaker scoring his first Boro goal after Alex Palmer could only parry a center straight into his path.
O’Shea raised hopes of a late revival when he headed in from Marcelino Nunez’s corner in the 76th minute, but the hosts held on to hold Coventry City at the Championship summit.
WHAT A WIN!!!pic.twitter.com/8lYDFqAxWb
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) October 17, 2025
Debriefing the data: Boro continues to dominate as leaders
Both sides have found the net in eight of their first ten Championship games this season, a number bettered only by Wrexham (nine).
Middlesbrough have won all six Championship games in which they have opened the scoring this season.
Meanwhile, Ipswich have now failed to win any of their last seven games in the division when conceding first since beating Bristol City in March 2024.
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