Ipswich thumps Carayol’s Middlesbrough

Muzzy Carayol

Mustapha Carayol’s Middlesbrough hopes of achieving promotion this season took another hit after they slumped to their fourth league defeat of 2013 against Ipswich Town.

In the Boro ranks was Muzzy Carayol who had to settle for a place on the bench for the first time since the end of September. It has been a long road back for the former Bristol Rovers man, who reported no reaction to his 58-minute workout for the U21 at Chelsea eight days ago; his only match action since Boro won at Blackburn.

And goals from Tommy Smith, David McGoldrick and Aaron McLean condemned Tony Mowbray’s men, who rarely showed signs of breaking their hosts down at Portman Road.

The defeat sees Boro remain in sixth place in the Championship but the gap between them and seventh was reduced to four points after Burnley drew at Peterborough. Smith gave Mick McCarthy’s – who missed the game due to illness – side a 38th minute lead when he headed in from Aaron Cresswell’s corner.

The defeat is Boro’s heaviest defeat since 19 September 2009 when they lost 5-0 to West Bromwich Albion.