Middlesbrough reclaimed the top spot in the Championship with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town at the Riverside Stadium on Friday. The win, highlighted by Morgan Whittaker's first goal for the club, ended a three-game winless run for Boro and underscored their strong home form under manager Rob Edwards.

The match was a chaotic affair, filled with missed opportunities and dramatic twists. Ipswich had a chance to take the lead late in the first half when Leif Davis was brought down in the box by Callum Brittain. George Hirst stepped up to take the penalty, but Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn made a crucial save, diving to his right to push the ball around the post.

Middlesbrough capitalized on this let-off in first-half stoppage time when a low cross from Delano Burgzorg was inadvertently turned into his own net by Ipswich defender Cedric Kipre. The own goal sent Boro into the break with a 1-0 lead.

The hosts doubled their advantage ten minutes after the restart, with Whittaker finding the net after Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer parried a cross into his path. The goal was Whittaker's first for Middlesbrough and sparked jubilant scenes among the home fans.

Ipswich, however, refused to go down without a fight. In the 76th minute, Dara O'Shea headed in from a Marcelino Nunez corner to reduce the deficit and give the visitors hope of a late comeback. Despite their efforts, Middlesbrough held firm to secure the 2-1 victory.

The win sees Middlesbrough leapfrog Coventry City to the top of the Championship table. Ipswich, meanwhile, remain in contention but will rue their missed penalty and the unfortunate own goal. The defeat also marked the end of Ipswich's six-match unbeaten run.

The match was a testament to Middlesbrough's resilience and ability to capitalize on their opportunities. Brynn's penalty save proved to be a turning point, and Whittaker's goal provided a crucial cushion. For Ipswich, the defeat highlighted their struggles when conceding first, a trend they will need to address if they are to mount a serious promotion challenge.

Both teams have been prolific in front of goal this season, with each finding the net in eight of their opening ten Championship matches. However, Middlesbrough's ability to win when scoring first has been a key factor in their success.

Middlesbrough will look to build on this win in their upcoming fixtures, while Ipswich will aim to bounce back and get their promotion push back on track.