West Bromwich Albion clinched their Sky Bet Championship safety for the second time within a week when they managed to keep promotion‑chasing Ipswich Town at bay, finishing the match at the Hawthorns with a 0‑0 stalemate on Saturday. The result came just days after the club was handed a two‑point penalty for breaching the league's Profitability and Sustainability Rules, a sanction that left them theoretically exposed to relegation with only two games remaining in the campaign. That looming threat was swiftly neutralised by the single point earned at home.
The draw ensured that the Baggies could no longer be overtaken, sealing Oxford United's drop to League One and confirming Charlton Athletic's safety after their lunchtime victory over Hull City. For Ipswich, the draw lifted them back into the automatic promotion places, setting up a crucial showdown with fellow top‑two rivals Southampton on Tuesday evening. The opening chances were few and far between. The first genuine attempt came when West Brom midfielder Ousmane Diakite tried a speculative long‑range effort from about 25 yards out.
Ipswich keeper Christian Walton had to make two saves to keep the ball out of his net. Within five minutes a mis‑communication between former Baggies defender Cedric Kipre and Walton allowed Ipswich striker Daryl Dike to find space, but Walton recovered quickly, using his legs to block the shot. Later, another ex‑Albion player, Darnell Furlong, produced a low drive from the edge of the box that ricocheted off his own teammate Ivan Azon and sailed wide of the goal. The match then paused for a brief promotional interlude – a reminder to download the Sky Sports app and to watch the EFL on Sky via NOW – before play resumed.
West Brom created perhaps their best opening of the first half when 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. The Baggies were inches away from taking the lead at the stroke of half‑time when Danny Imray’s right‑wing delivery curled into the path of Aune Heggebø, who turned and fired just wide of the far post. Ipswich responded with a slick one‑two between Alex Mowatt and Daryl Dike on the edge of the area, forcing Walton to dive away from a low drive.
Early in the second half, Jayson Molumby and Imray combined down the right, and Dike’s low ball was curled toward goal, only for Walton to make a spectacular save. A long throw from Furlong was flicked on by Greaves, but Jack Clarke, finding himself with space at the back post, mishit the ball completely, missing the opportunity for the visitors.
As the second half progressed, Ipswich began to dominate possession. They even thought they had scored with 20 minutes remaining when Max O'Leary spilled Jaden Philogene’s curling long‑range effort; Kipre pounced on the rebound and headed it home, only for the goal to be disallowed for off‑side. Manager Kieran McKenna, looking to inject fresh impetus, brought on Wes Burns and George Hirst from the bench, hoping they could break the deadlock. West Brom, however, remained resolute, defending tenaciously to guarantee 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 where we stood after the points deduction, but we focused on the football.
The lads were in a good place, so we just kept going. It helped because we understood what we needed to do. We talked to the players over dinner at the training ground, but they made their intentions clear without me saying much. After about the 70th minute I felt the momentum shift.
The substitutes we brought on added energy, but my staff reminded me that a single point was enough. 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, work hard to get things right, and I'll stay with the lads until the season's end. I’m looking forward to a nice beer tonight." Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna praised his side’s effort: "It was a hard‑earned point. The game was tough for many reasons, and the first half reflected that – they had more momentum and energy. We had to withstand pressure and securing a 0‑0 at half‑time was vital; we haven’t done that well away from home this season.
There were moments of resilience, especially a crucial save from Christian. In the second half we moved the ball better, pressed earlier, and in the last thirty minutes we were the team pushing for a win. Whether this point proves decisive we’ll find out next weekend.
It’s a brutal league. West Brom are a strong side – they’re on a ten‑game unbeaten run with seven clean sheets.
The pitch and the heat made it difficult to play attractive football; the surface was bumpy, the temperature high. A point on a day like today is something we can build on." The match also featured a promotional note about the Super 6 competition, highlighting a £250,000 prize pool that remains free to enter, with entries closing at 3 pm on Saturday.
This additional incentive underscores the ongoing engagement initiatives surrounding the Championship, offering fans a chance to win substantial rewards while following the season's dramatic conclusion.