How the Irish fared: Daryl Murphy shows nose for goal for high-flying Ipswich

It was a case of no pain, no gain for Daryl Murphy this weekend as the Republic of Ireland striker broke his nose scoring Ipswich’s opening goal in their 2-1 Championship win at Fulham.

Murphy got his head onto a corner to steer the Tractor Boys into an early lead, receiving a painful blow to his nose from a Fulham defender in the process.

Murphy is enjoying the season of his life and curled home a sublime — and painless — second on the stroke of half-time, as Ipswich claimed a win that brought them within two points of an automatic promotion spot.