West Bromwich Albion confirmed their place in the Sky Bet Championship for a second consecutive week after they managed to hold promotion‑chasing Ips Ipswich to a goalless stalemate at the Hawthorns on Saturday. The result was crucial, especially after the Baggies were handed a two‑point penalty on Friday evening for breaching the league's Profitability and Sustainability Regulations. That deduction left them mathematically vulnerable to relegation with only two games remaining in the campaign, but the single point earned at home meant they could no longer be overtaken by the teams below them. Consequently, Oxford United were condemned to the drop, while Charlton Athletic also secured a win over Hull City earlier in the day, sealing their own safety.
For Ipswich, the draw lifted them back into second place, keeping the pressure on their rivals Southampton, who they will face on Tuesday evening. The match itself offered several moments of drama, even if neither side could find the back of the net. The first genuine chance fell when home midfielder Ousmane Diakite unleashed a speculative strike from about 25 yards out. Ipswich keeper Christian Walton had to make two attempts to collect the ball, eventually smothering the effort.
Just five minutes later a miscommunication between former Baggies defender Cedric Kipre and Walton allowed striker Daryl Dike to get a look at goal. Walton recovered quickly, diving with his legs to deny Dike a clear chance.
Another former West Brom player, Darnell Furlong, produced a low drive from the edge of the box that struck his own teammate Ivan Azon and veered wide, sparking a brief moment of concern for the home side. The Tractor Boys then missed what could have been their best opening of the first half.
Jacob Greaves sent a deep cross into the penalty area for Kasey McAteer, whose connection was imperfect. The ball fell to Azon, who struck it from inside the six‑yard box, only to see it sail over the crossbar. West Brom came close to taking the lead right before the break when Danny Imray delivered a curling ball from the right that found Aune Heggebo.
The striker turned and fired, but his effort drifted just wide of the far post. Shortly after, Alex Mowatt combined with Dike in a quick one‑two on the edge of the area, prompting Walton to make a low‑drive save.
The second half began with another chance for the home side. Jayson Molumby and Imray combined down the right flank, delivering a low ball that Dike curled toward goal, only for Walton to produce a superb parry. Furlong’s long throw was flicked on by Greaves, but Jack Clarke, who had found space at the back post, completely missed the ball, squandering a rare opportunity for the visitors. Ipswich grew increasingly assertive as the second half progressed.
With about 20 minutes remaining, Max O'Leary spilled a bending strike from substitute Jaden Philogene, and Kipre pounced on the rebound, heading it home. However, the goal was disallowed for off‑side, leaving the score unchanged. In search of a breakthrough, Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna introduced Wes Burns and George Hirst from the bench, hoping to inject fresh energy. Despite the increased pressure, West Brom held firm, preserving the point that guarantees their survival.
After the final whistle, West Brom captain James Morrison reflected on the drama: "We had a cloud hanging over us, and it finally lifted. We knew exactly where we stood after the points deduction, but we focused on the football. The lads were in a good headspace, so we just kept pushing.
It helped us because we knew what we had to do. We talked to the players over dinner at the training ground, but I didn’t have to say much – they understood.
After about the 70th minute I felt the momentum shift. The substitutes brought fresh energy, and my staff reminded me a point was all we needed. The players left everything on the pitch. I want to stay unbeaten, and the players feel the same.
We'll have a day off tomorrow and Monday, then come back ready to finish the season strong. We'll reflect at the end and work hard to get it right, but I’ll stay with the lads until the season ends. I’m looking forward to a nice beer tonight." Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna also praised his side’s resilience: "It was a hard‑earned point. The game was tough for many reasons, and the first half was difficult – they had more momentum and energy.
We had to withstand pressure and getting a 0‑0 at half‑time was important. We haven’t done that well away from home this season.
There were moments of real resilience. Christian made a crucial save, and we moved the ball better in the second half, pressing earlier to win it back quicker. In the last half‑hour we were the team pushing for a win.
Whether it’s a good point I’ll know next weekend. It’s a brutal league. West Brom are a good side – they’re on a ten‑game unbeaten run with seven clean sheets. The pitch was uneven and the heat made it bouncy, which made quality football difficult.
A point on a day like today is something we can build on." Beyond the match report, the weekend also featured a promotional offer: a £250,000 prize pool is up for grabs in the Super 6 competition, which remains free to enter. Entries close at 3 pm on Saturday. The Sky Sports app provides live coverage, and fans can watch the EFL on Sky with NOW. The draw ensures West Brom’s safety, allowing them to focus on ending the season on a high note while Ipswich continue their push for promotion, eyeing the crucial clash with Southampton next week.