West Bromwich Albion once more confirmed their place in the Sky Bet Championship, sealing safety for a second time within a single week after they managed to keep promotion‑chasing Ipswich Town at bay with a 0‑0 stalemate at The Hawthorns on Saturday. The result came just days after the club was slapped with a two‑point deduction for breaching the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules, a penalty that left them mathematically vulnerable to relegation with only two fixtures remaining in the campaign. That looming threat was instantly alleviated by the draw.
The single point meant the Baggies could no longer be overtaken, consigning Oxford United to the drop and seeing Charlton Athletic also claim a win over Hull City in the lunchtime fixture. For Ipswich, the point lifted them back into second place, keeping the pressure on their rivals Southampton, who they will meet on Tuesday evening in a match that could decide the final automatic promotion slot.
The match itself offered a series of chances that kept the spectators on edge, even if the final scoreline remained unchanged. The first genuine attempt came when West Brom midfielder Ousmane Diakite, positioned about 25 yards from goal, tried a speculative long‑range effort.
Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton had to make two saves to keep the ball out of the net, demonstrating early that both keepers would be called upon throughout the game. Just five minutes later a miscommunication between former Baggies defender Cedric Kipre and Walton gave Ipswich striker Daryl Dike a brief opening. Dike managed to get a touch, but Walton recovered quickly and cleared the danger with a well‑timed leg‑save. Later, another ex‑Albion player, Darnell Furlong, found himself in a slightly awkward position when his low drive from the edge of the box struck his own teammate Ivan Azon, causing the ball to spin wide of the post.
The most promising opportunity for West Brom arrived before the half‑hour mark. Jacob Greaves sent a deep cross into the box for Kasey McAteer, who, despite an imperfect connection, managed to flick the ball onto Ivan Azon. Azon, now inside the six‑yard area, struck over the bar, squandering what could have been the opening goal of the match.
West Brom came close to taking the lead just before the break when Danny Imray delivered a curling ball from the right flank into the path of Aune Heggebo. Heggebo turned and fired a shot that brushed the far post, narrowly missing the chance to put the hosts ahead. Shortly after, Alex Mowatt orchestrated a quick one‑two with Dike on the edge of the area, forcing Walton to dive low to keep the ball out of the net. The second half began with Ipswich showing renewed intent.
Jayson Molumby and Imray combined on the right, delivering a low ball that Dike curled towards goal, only for Walton to make a spectacular parry. West Brom’s long throw from Furlong was glanced on by Greaves, but Jack Clarke, who found himself unmarked at the back post, failed to make contact, missing a clear chance for the visitors. As the half progressed, Ipswich began to dominate possession and create more chances.
With about 20 minutes left, Max O'Leary spilled a bending strike from substitute Jaden Philogene, and Kipre pounced on the rebound, heading the ball home. However, the goal was disallowed for off‑side, leaving the score unchanged and the tension high. In response, West Brom manager Kieran McKenna introduced Wes Burns and George Hirst from the bench, hoping to inject fresh energy and break the deadlock.
The Baggies held firm, maintaining their defensive shape and preventing Ipswich from finding a breakthrough. After the final whistle, both managers reflected on the significance of the point. West Brom’s James Morrison said, "We had a cloud hanging over us, and it finally lifted. The deduction was a blow, but we focused on the football.
The lads were in a good place, so we just kept going. It helped us because we knew exactly what we needed. I spoke to the players at dinner, but they made it clear what they wanted. Around the 70th minute I could feel the momentum shift.
The substitutes brought fresh energy, and my staff reminded me that a point was all we required. The players left everything on the pitch. We want to stay unbeaten, and the lads feel the same.
We'll have a day off tomorrow and Monday, then come back ready to finish the season strongly. We'll review everything at the end, work hard to get it right, and I’ll stay with the squad until the season’s end. I think I’ll enjoy a nice beer tonight." Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna was equally candid: "It was a hard‑earned point.
The game was tough for many reasons, and the first half showed they had more momentum and energy. We had to withstand pressure and it was vital to go into the break level at 0‑0.
We haven’t been good enough away from home this season. There were moments of resilience – a crucial save from Christian Walton – 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.
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 uneven and the heat made it bobbly – which made quality football difficult. A point on a day like today is something we can build on." The draw not only cemented West Brom’s survival but also highlighted the fine margins that decide fate in the Championship.
With only two games left, both clubs will now turn their attention to the final stretch of the season. West Brom will look to maintain their unbeaten run and finish on a high note, while Ipswich will aim to convert the momentum from this point into a win that could propel them into the automatic promotion places. Off the pitch, the league continues to promote fan engagement through its Super 6 competition, offering a £250,000 prize that is free to enter.
Entries close at 3 pm on Saturday, giving supporters another reason to stay tuned to the drama unfolding across the division.