Ipswich Town climbed to second place in the Championship after securing a fourth straight home win with a victory over struggling Oxford United.
Ipswich took the lead through Jaden Philogene, who scored with a smart finish. Oxford responded when Will Lankshear fired in an angled shot to make it 1-1.
The home side quickly went back ahead as Chuba Akpom, filling in for injured George Hirst, finished off a well-worked team move for his second goal of the season. That goal proved enough to seal the win.
The result saw Ipswich overtake Middlesbrough, who lost to Derby County, while Oxford suffered their eighth away defeat and dropped to 23rd in the table. The U’s are still under interim manager Craig Short following the dismissal of Gary Rowett before Christmas.
Ipswich controlled much of the game and created several chances to extend their lead, but Oxford failed to seriously threaten late on. The visitors have now won just once in their last seven matches.
Ipswich next travel to Portsmouth on Sunday, while Oxford face Sheffield United away.
