Middlesbrough returned to the top of the Championship table after holding on for a 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town.

Morgan Whittaker’s second-half strike proved the difference at the Riverside Stadium, where a Cedric Kipre own-goal put the hosts in front, before a late Dara O’Shea header proved academic for the visitors.

Kieran McKenna’s side were handed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 44th minute, when Callum Brittain was deemed 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 capitalised on their let-off in bizarre fashion in first-half stoppage time, as Kipre unwittingly turned Delano Burgzorg’s low cross into his own net.

Rob Edwards’ side doubled their lead 10 minutes after the break, with Whittaker tucking home his first Boro goal after Alex Palmer could only parry a centre straight into his path.

O’Shea sparked hope of a late revival when he headed in from Marcelino Nunez’s corner in the 76th minute, but the hosts held on to usurp Coventry City at the Championship summit.

WHAT A WIN!!!pic.twitter.com/8lYDFqAxWb

— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) October 17, 2025

Data Debrief: Boro continue to dominate as frontrunners

Both sides have found the net in eight of their opening 10 Championship matches this season, a tally only bettered by Wrexham (nine).

Middlesbrough have won all six of their Championship games this term in which they have opened the scoring.

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.