Championship round-up: Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy believes it would take a "bonkers offer" to prise free-scoring Republic of Ireland striker Daryl Murphy away from the club after the powerful front man added a brace to his tally of 16 for the season in an emphatic 4-2 win at in-form Brentford.
His displays this season have led to rumours of a move away from Portman Road, but McCarthy will not let that enter his mind.
He said: “If we get a bonkers offer for him, it’s beyond my control, but we are (temporarily) top of the league so why would we sell our best players?
“I’m not going to worry about it because it’s something I can’t effect.”
Murphy gave his side the dream start after 19 seconds with a strike his manager admitted “changed the whole dynamic” of the game.
“To get a start like that against a team that’s been dominant at home gives you a major advantage,” McCarthy said.
“Brentford are a really good team and they were pressing to get back in the game, took chances and left Murph one on one which is always a mistake.”
Murphy registered his and Town's second after just 21 minutes, outmuscling Tony Craig and rounding goalkeeper David Button to slot home, despite the defender's protests that he'd been clipped.
Paul Anderson slammed home former Bee Jay Tabb's low cross after half an hour and although substitute Sam Saunders scored two late consolations, Tommy Smith netted in-between to make sure the home side never threatened a comeback.
McCarthy, who said the gameplan to press Brentford high up worked to perfection, added: “At two down they were open. We were clinical today but that’s not always been the case.
“Daryl is in a good vein of form and Tommy Smith isn’t exactly known for chopping it back and bending it in the top corner.”
Ipswich's time at the top of the table was short as goals from Brett Pitman and Harry Arter gave Bournemouth a 2-0 home win over Fulham to regain their spot on top of the Championship.
The Cherries dictated the game and with better finishing – Pitman missed a second-half penalty – would have won by a wider margin.
Norwich hammered Millwall 6-1, the Canaries going ahead through Steven Whittaker and Cameron Jerome before Bradley Johnson bagged a brace.
Gary Hooper’s double then rubbed further salt in the Londoners’ wounds, while Jermaine Easter netted a consolation goal.
Middlesbrough recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Nottingham Forest to stay fourth.
George Friend, Jelle Vossen and Grant Leadbitter found the net for the Teessiders in the second half, with Forest’s Kelvin Wilson sent off at 1-0.
Goals from Jordon Ibe, Chris Martin, Craig Forsyth and Johnny Russell gave Derby an impressive 4-0 win at Birmingham which saw the Rams leap into third.
Inigo Calderon hit a 90th-minute equaliser to give managerless Brighton a 2-2 draw against Reading at the Amex Stadium.
Glenn Murray scored twice against his former club, but the Seagulls dominated after Jake Forster-Caskey found the net.
There was also late drama at Rotherham, who scored twice in the last three minutes to draw 2-2 against Huddersfield, while a Johann Gudmundsson stunner two minutes from time earned 10-man Charlton a 1-1 draw against Cardiff.
Chris Maguire's penalty gave Sheffield Wednesday a 1-0 win against bottom club Blackpool, Emile Heskey scored on his Bolton debut as they beat Blackburn 2-1 in the Lancashire derby, while an own goal from Liam Cooper and a belter from James McClean gave Wigan a 2-0 victory at Leeds.
