Pressure eases on Mick McCarthy as Ipswich see off Blackburn
Tom Lawrence's stunning 30-yard strike gave Ipswich a precious 3-2 victory over struggling Blackburn.
The Leicester loanee scored twice, either side of Christophe Berra's first goal of the season, as Ipswich eased some of the pressure on manager Mick McCarthy.
Blackburn had initially levelled through Hope Akpan and set up a nervous finish through Danny Graham's 74th minute penalty but Ipswich held on to claim a deserved win.
Ipswich had the first chance on seven minutes when Freddie Sears latched onto Kevin Bru's hopeful ball into the area but poked his shot just wide of the far post.
Jonas Knudsen then fired wide after a bright interchange of passing from Ipswich before Sears was gifted a chance by Rovers' centre back Charlie Mulgrew but keeper Jason Steele did well to come out and smother the ball.
Despite a bright start from the hosts, it was Blackburn who should have taken the lead in the 14th minute.
A brilliant break from former Ipswich loanee Liam Feeney ended with an incisive pass to Sam Gallagher but his shot was superbly blocked by Bartosz Bialkowski.
Gallagher then saw a header tipped over the bar by Bialkowski while at the other end Andre Dozzell played in Sears whose near post shot was pushed round by Steele.
The deadlock was broken six minutes before half-time when Knudsen was brought down on the edge of the area and Lawrence's low free kick went under both the wall and Steele.
But within four minutes, Blackburn were level after Feeney took advantage of a poor clearance by Berra.
The winger's cross was laid back by Graham to Akpan who calmly found the corner of the net from just inside the area.
Lawrence almost restored Ipswich's lead when he cut in from the left but his low 20-yarder was brilliantly tipped round the post by Steele, the keeper then ending the half thankful that Knudsen's 25-yard rocket was straight at him.
The home side regained their lead in the 53rd minute when Cole Skuse flicked on Lawrence's corner and Berra was on hand to slide in from close range at the far post.
And within four minutes, Ipswich had extended their lead after Lawrence added to his personal collection of stunning solo goals - finding the top corner from 30 yards.
Sears was once again denied a deserved goal by Steele after Lawrence and Skuse combined to set him up before Blackburn pulled a goal back completely against the run of play when Adam Webster was adjudged to have pulled Akpan down and Graham scored from the spot.
A few nervy moments aside, Ipswich comfortably held on for the victory with Sears failing to put the seal on an entertaining and encouraging home performance after breaking clear in injury time, but firing over.
Source : DSG
Source: DSG