West Bromwich Albion once again confirmed their place in the Sky Bet Championship after they managed a goalless stalemate against promotion‑chasing Ipswich Town at the Hawthorns on Saturday. The result not only gave the Baggies a vital point but also ensured they stayed clear of the relegation zone with two games still to play in the season. The drama surrounding the club intensified earlier in the week when the league imposed a two‑point deduction on West Brom for breaching the Profitability and Sustainability Rules. The sanction, handed down on Friday evening, meant that mathematically the team could have been dragged into the drop zone if they failed to collect points in the remaining fixtures.
However, the draw against Ipswich meant the Baggies could not be overtaken, and their rivals Oxford United were confirmed as relegated, while Charlton Athletic also secured a win over Hull City on the same day. For Ipswich, the point allowed them to climb back into second place in the table, setting up a high‑stakes encounter with fellow top‑two hopefuls Southampton on Tuesday night. Both sides now know that every point will be crucial as the season draws to a close. The match itself offered several moments of tension despite the lack of goals.
The first genuine chance fell when West Brom midfielder Ousmane Diakité tried a speculative strike from around 25 yards out. Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton had to make two saves to keep the ball out of the net.
Five minutes later, a miscommunication between former Baggies defender Cedric Kipré and Walton gave striker Daryl Dike a clear run, but the visiting keeper recovered quickly and smothered the attempt with his legs. Another former Albion defender, Darnell Furlong, produced a low drive from the edge of the box that ricocheted off his own teammate Ivan Azon and sailed wide, prompting a brief moment of worry for the home side.
The Tractor Boys then missed what could have been a golden opportunity in the opening half. Jacob Greaves delivered a deep cross to Kasey McAteer on the far side of the penalty area; McAteer’s touch was imperfect, and the ball fell to Azon, who struck it over the bar from inside the six‑yard line. West Brom came close to taking the lead right before the interval.
Danny Imray sent in a right‑wing delivery that spun into the path of Aune Heggebø, who turned and fired a shot that rattled the far post but failed to find the back of the net. Alex Mowatt then linked up with Dike in a quick one‑two on the edge of the area, forcing Walton to make a low‑drive save. The second half began with Ipswich pressing forward.
Jayson Molumby and Imray combined down the right flank, and a low ball from Dike was curled towards goal, only for Walton to produce a superb parry. Furlong’s long throw was flicked on by Greaves, but Jack Clarke, who found himself with time and space at the back post, failed to make contact, squandering the chance for the visitors. As the second half progressed, Ipswich began to dominate possession and create more clear‑cut chances. With roughly 20 minutes left, Max O'Leary spilled a bending strike from substitute Jaden Philogene, and Kipré pounced on the rebound, heading the ball home – only for the goal to be disallowed due to an off‑side flag.
Manager Kieran McKenna of Ipswich made tactical substitutions, bringing on Wes Burns and George Hirst in an effort to inject fresh energy and finally break the deadlock. West Brom, however, remained disciplined, defending resolutely to secure the point they needed for survival. After the final whistle, West Brom captain James Morrison reflected on the emotional roller‑coaster: "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 and we just kept going. It helped that we knew what we had to do.
I talked to the players over dinner at the training ground, but they made their intentions clear on the pitch. Around the 70th minute I sensed the momentum shifting – the substitutes were making an impact, so I tried to add some energy, but my staff reminded me that a single point was all we needed. The players left everything out there.
I want to stay unbeaten, and the players feel the same. We'll have a short break and then come back ready to finish the season strong. We'll reflect at the end, work hard to get things right, and I’ll stay with the lads until the final whistle. I’m looking forward to a nice beer tonight." Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna praised his side’s resilience: "It was a hard‑earned point.
The game was tough for many reasons and it showed. The first half was difficult – they had more momentum and energy.
We had to weather some pressure and getting to half‑time 0‑0 was important because we haven’t been good enough away from home. There were moments of real resilience, especially a crucial save from Christian. In the second half we moved the ball better, pressed earlier and were the team pushing for the win in the last thirty minutes. Whether it’s a good point we’ll see next weekend.
This league is brutal. West Brom are a strong side – they’re on a ten‑game unbeaten run with seven clean sheets.
The conditions weren’t ideal; the pitch was bumpy and the heat made it difficult to play fluid football. A point on a day like today gives us something to build on." The match also featured promotional content for Sky Sports, reminding fans they could download the Sky Sports app and watch EFL games on Sky with NOW. Additionally, a £250,000 Super 6 prize was highlighted, with entries closing at 3 pm on Saturday, and participation being completely free. In summary, West Brom’s 0‑0 draw against Ipswich not only secured their Championship status for a second consecutive week but also cemented their position in the league’s upper half, while Ipswich’s point kept them firmly in the promotion race as they prepare for a crucial showdown with Southampton.
The upcoming fixtures will be decisive for both clubs as they aim to end the season on a high note.