West Bromwich Albion once more clinched their Sky Bet Championship safety, confirming their place in the second tier for a second consecutive week after they managed to hold promotion‑chasing Ipswich Town to a goalless draw at The Hawthorns on Saturday. The match, which ended 0-0, was a tense affair that saw both sides create chances but ultimately fail to find the back of the net. The backdrop to the game was dramatic.
On Friday evening, the Baggies were handed a two‑point penalty for breaching the league’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules. The deduction left them mathematically exposed to the threat of relegation with only two fixtures remaining in the campaign. However, the single point earned at The Hawthorns meant that West Brom could no longer be overtaken, and their rivals Oxford United were condemned to the drop, while Charlton Athletic also secured a win over Hull City at lunchtime, confirming the Baggies' survival. For Ipswich, the draw was a mixed blessing.
The result lifted them back into second place in the table, setting up a crucial showdown with fellow top‑two contenders Southampton on Tuesday evening. The stakes are high, as a win could cement their promotion ambitions, while a slip would hand the advantage to their rivals. The opening moments of the game saw a speculative long‑range effort from West Brom midfielder Ousmane Diakite.
From roughly 25 yards out, he unleashed a shot that forced Ipswich keeper Christian Walton into a two‑attempt save, showcasing the early intensity of the contest. Within five minutes, a miscommunication between former Baggies defender Cedric Kipre and Walton allowed Ipswich striker Daryl Dike to break into the box, but Walton recovered quickly and parried the ball with his legs, denying Dike a clear chance. Another former West Brom defender, Darnell Furlong, generated a brief moment of danger for the visitors when his low drive from the edge of the area struck his own teammate Ivan Azon and ricocheted wide.
The incident highlighted the fine margins that would define the match. The Tractor Boys (West Brom’s nickname) missed what could have been their best opening chance of the first half.
Jacob Greaves delivered a deep cross to Kasey McAteer on the far side of the penalty area. Although McAteer’s connection was imperfect, the ball fell to Azon, who struck it over the crossbar from inside the six‑yard box, squandering a clear scoring opportunity. West Brom came close to taking the lead just before the interval. Danny Imray’s right‑wing delivery swerved into the path of Aune Heggebø, who turned and fired a shot that drifted just wide of the far post.
The near‑miss underscored the growing pressure the home side were applying. Alex Mowatt then orchestrated a quick one‑two with Dike on the edge of the area, prompting Walton to make a low‑drive save.
The sequence demonstrated Ipswich’s ability to create quick, incisive attacks despite being under sustained pressure. The second half began with another chance for the visitors. Jayson Molumby and Imray combined down the right flank, delivering a low ball that Dike curled towards goal. Walton, however, produced a superb reflex save, keeping the scores level and preserving West Brom’s defensive resolve.
Furlong’s long throw was flicked on by Greaves, but Jack Clarke, finding himself with space at the back post, failed to make contact and missed the ball entirely, leaving the home side to miss a potentially decisive moment. As the second half progressed, Ipswich began to dominate possession and territory.
They even thought they had scored with 20 minutes remaining when Max O'Leary spilled a bending strike from substitute Jaden Philogene. Kipre pounced on the rebound and headed the ball home, only for the goal to be ruled out by an off‑side flag, adding to the drama of the encounter. Kieran McKenna, Ipswich’s manager, responded by introducing Wes Burns and George Hirst from the bench, seeking fresh impetus to break the deadlock.
Despite the increased urgency, West Brom remained disciplined and resilient, ultimately securing the point they needed for survival. After the final whistle, West Brom manager James Morrison reflected on the ordeal: "We had a cloud hanging over us, and it finally lifted. The points deduction was a huge blow, but we focused on the football. The lads were in a good headspace, so we just kept pushing.
The news gave us clarity about what we needed, and we communicated that over dinner at the training ground. I didn’t have to say much – the players understood. "Around the 70th minute I felt the momentum shift. The substitutes we brought on added energy, and my staff reminded me that a single point was enough.
The players gave everything on the pitch. I 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 strong. We’ll review everything at the end, but I’ll stay with the squad until the season’s close. I’m definitely having a nice beer tonight." Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna also weighed in: "It was a hard‑earned point. The match was tough for many reasons, and the result reflects that.
The first half was difficult; they had more momentum and energy. We had to weather some pressure and getting a 0‑0 at halftime was vital – we haven’t performed well enough away from home this season.
"There were moments of resilience. We needed a good save from Christian, and we improved our ball movement in the second half, pressing earlier to win the ball back quicker. In the last half hour we were the side 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 team – 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 bouncy, which made playing attractive football difficult. "A point on a day like today is something we can build on." Beyond the match, the weekend also featured a promotional offer: a £250,000 prize pool is available through the Super 6 competition, which remains free to enter. Participants must submit their entries by 3 pm on Saturday to qualify.
The competition adds an extra layer of excitement for fans following the league’s intense final weeks. In summary, West Brom’s 0‑0 draw with Ipswich secured their Championship status for another season, while Ipswich kept their promotion hopes alive by climbing back into second place. Both managers highlighted the challenges they faced and the importance of the points earned, setting the stage for the remaining fixtures that will decide the final league positions.