West Bromwich Albion clinched their second confirmation of safety in the Sky Bet Championship within a single week after they managed to keep promotion‑chasing Ipswich Town at bay, finishing the match at the Hawthorns on Saturday with a 0‑0 stalemate. The victory came on the back of a two‑point penalty imposed on the Baggies on Friday evening for breaching the league's Profitability and Sustainability Regulations. The deduction left them technically exposed to the threat of relegation with only two fixtures remaining in the campaign. However, the single point earned in this encounter meant that they could no longer be overtaken, sealing Oxford United's relegation and, after Charlton Athletic’s win over Hull City at lunchtime, confirming the final drop.
For Ipswich, the draw lifted them back into second place in the table, setting up a high‑stakes showdown with fellow top‑two hopeful Southampton on Tuesday night. Both sides will now be looking to build momentum as the season draws to a close. The first genuine chance fell to the home side when midfielder Ousmane Diakite, who had been encouraged to unleash a long‑range effort from about 25 yards, saw his shot force Ipswich keeper Christian Walton into two successive saves.
Within five minutes a miscommunication between former Baggies defender Cedric Kipre and Walton allowed Ipswich striker Daryl Dike to find space inside the box, but Walton reacted quickly, using his legs to parry the ball away. Another ex‑West Brom player, Darnell Furlong, generated a fleeting moment of danger when his low drive from the edge of the area struck his own teammate Ivan Azon and ricocheted wide of the goal. The Tractor Boys then missed what could have been a prime opening of the first half: Jacob Greaves delivered a deep cross to Kasey McAteer on the far side of the penalty area. McAteer’s connection was off‑centre, and the ball fell to Azon, who, from inside the six‑yard box, blasted an effort over the bar.
West Brom came close to taking the lead right before the interval. Danny Imray’s right‑flank delivery swerved into the path of Aune Heggebo, who turned and struck a shot that drifted just wide of the far post. Shortly after, Alex Mowatt combined with Dike in a quick one‑two on the edge of the area, prompting Walton to dive low to make a crucial save. The second half began with Ipswich pressing higher up the pitch.
Jayson Molumby and Imray combined down the right, delivering a low ball that was curled towards goal by Dike, only for Walton to produce another spectacular 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 a clear chance for the visitors. As the half progressed, Ipswich began to dominate possession and create more opportunities.
With twenty minutes left, Max O'Leary mishandled 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 for off‑side. Manager Kieran McKenna responded by introducing Wes Burns and George Hirst from the bench, hoping to inject fresh impetus and finally break the deadlock. West Brom, however, held firm, maintaining their defensive shape and ensuring 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 penalty came we knew exactly what was at stake. The lads stayed focused on the football, and we kept grinding. The news gave us a clear target, and we communicated that over dinner at the training ground.
I didn’t have to say much; the players understood the urgency. Around the 70‑minute mark I could feel the momentum shift, and I wanted to add energy, but my staff reminded me that a single point was enough. The team gave everything on the pitch. We want to finish the season unbeaten, and we’ll have a short break before coming back ready to work hard.
I’ll celebrate with 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 the first half was especially challenging—we were out‑muscled and had to weather a lot of pressure.
Securing a 0‑0 at halftime was crucial because we haven’t been strong away from home this season. We showed some good moments of resolve, especially with a vital save from Christian.
In the second half we moved the ball better, pressed earlier, and in the final thirty minutes we were the team pushing for a win. Whether this point proves decisive we’ll find out next weekend.
The league is brutal; West Brom are a quality side, unbeaten in ten games with seven clean sheets. The pitch was uneven and the heat made it difficult to play fluid football.
Nonetheless, a point today gives us something to build on." The match also featured promotional elements, reminding fans that the £250,000 Super 6 prize pool remains up for grabs, with entries accepted until 3 pm on Saturday. The competition is free to enter, offering supporters an extra incentive to stay engaged as the season reaches its climax.