West Bromwich Albion clinched another week of safety in the Sky Bet Championship by holding promotion‑chasing Ipswich Town to a goalless draw at The Hawthorns on Saturday. The result came just days after the club was penalised with a two‑point deduction for breaching the league's Profitability and Sustainability Rules, a sanction that had left them mathematically exposed to relegation with only two games remaining. By salvaging a point, the Baggies ensured that Oxford United could no longer overtake them, confirming their stay in the division, while Charlton Athletic also secured a win over Hull City earlier in the day. For Ipswich, the stalemate meant a return to second place in the table and set up a crucial showdown with fellow top‑two hopefuls Southampton on Tuesday evening.
Both sides entered the match aware that every point was vital in a tightly contested promotion race. The opening chances were sparse but noteworthy.
West Brom midfielder Ousmane Diakite ventured a speculative long‑range effort from about 25 yards, forcing Ipswich keeper Christian Walton to make two saves before the ball finally found the net. Within five minutes, a miscommunication between former Baggies defender Cedric Kipre and Walton allowed Ipswich striker Daryl Dike to find space inside the box.
Walton recovered quickly, using his legs to tip the ball away. Later, another ex‑Albion defender, Darnell Furlong, produced a low drive from the edge of the area that unfortunately struck his own teammate Ivan Azon and flew wide, sparking a brief moment of concern for the home side.
The Tractor Boys then missed what could have been a prime opening in the first half: Jacob Greaves delivered a deep cross to Kasey McAteer on the far side of the penalty area. McAteer’s connection was imperfect, and the ball fell to Azon, who struck over the bar from inside the six‑yard line. West Brom came close to taking the lead just before the interval.
Danny Imray sent in a curling delivery from the right that found Aune Heggebo, who turned and smashed a shot that drifted just wide of the far post. Alex Mowatt then orchestrated a quick one‑two with Dike on the edge of the box, prompting Walton to make a low‑drive save. The second half began with Ipswich pressing more aggressively. Jayson Molumby and Imray combined down the right flank, and a low ball from Dike was curled towards goal, only for Walton to parry it away with a superb reflex save.
A long throw from Furlong was glanced on by Greaves, but Jack Clarke, finding himself with time and space at the back post, missed the opportunity entirely, leaving the visitors empty‑handed. As the half progressed, Ipswich began to dominate possession and create clearer chances.
Around the 70‑minute mark, Max O'Leary spilled a bending strike from substitute Jaden Philogene, and Kipre pounced on the rebound, heading the ball home—only for the goal to be ruled out by an offside flag. Manager Kieran McKenna, seeking to inject fresh energy, introduced Wes Burns and George Hirst from the bench. Their arrival added urgency, but West Brom’s defence held firm, preserving the point that guaranteed their survival.
After the final whistle, West Brom captain James Morrison reflected on the drama: "We had a cloud hanging over us all week, and when the points deduction came it felt like a massive weight. We focused on the football, and the lads responded brilliantly. After the break I could feel the momentum shift, and even though the staff told me a point was enough, the players gave everything on the pitch.
We want to finish the season unbeaten and will take a short break before coming back ready to work. I’ll enjoy a nice beer tonight after a hard‑fought game." Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna praised his side’s resilience: "It was a hard‑earned point. The first half was tough; they had more energy and momentum. Holding them to a 0‑0 at half‑time was crucial because we haven’t been strong away from home.
In the second half we improved our ball movement, pressed earlier, and created more chances. A point on a day like today, with a bumpy pitch and heat, is something we can build on. We’ll see next weekend how it fits into the bigger picture." The match also highlighted West Brom’s impressive defensive record, with the club on a ten‑game unbeaten streak that includes seven clean sheets.
Their ability to absorb pressure and maintain composure under the shadow of a points deduction demonstrates the mental strength that has carried them through a challenging season. Looking ahead, both teams have important fixtures.
Ipswich will travel to Southampton, a direct competitor for the automatic promotion spots, while West Brom will aim to consolidate their position in the final two games, hoping to finish the campaign on a high note. The stakes remain high as the Championship race tightens, and every goal, save, and tactical decision could prove decisive in the closing weeks. In related news, the Sky Sports Super 6 competition offers a £250,000 prize pool, free to enter, with entries closing at 3 pm on Saturday. Fans can download the Sky Sports app or watch the EFL on Sky NOW to stay up‑to‑date with the latest action.