West Bromwich Albion confirmed their Championship status for a second time in a week after holding promotion-chasing Ipswich Town to a goalless draw at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
The Baggies were hit with a two-point deduction on Friday evening for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules, leaving them mathematically vulnerable to relegation with two matches remaining. However, the point earned against Ipswich ensured they cannot be caught, sending Oxford United down instead. Charlton Athletic also boosted their survival hopes with a lunch-time victory over Hull City.
For Ipswich, the result moves them back into second place in the Championship table, with all eyes now on their crucial top-two clash against Southampton on Tuesday evening.
Match Action
The first meaningful effort on goal came from home midfielder Ousmane Diakite, who unleashed a speculative 25-yard strike that Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton needed two attempts to gather.
Within five minutes, a miscommunication between former West Brom defender Cedric Kipre and Walton allowed striker Daryl Dike to pounce, but the visiting goalkeeper recovered to save with his legs. Another ex-Baggies defender, Darnell Furlong, momentarily caused concern for his former employers, but his low drive from the edge of the box struck teammate Ivan Azon and flew wide.
The Tractor Boys then passed up perhaps their best opening of the first half. Jacob Greaves swung a deep cross to Kasey McAteer on the far side of the penalty area. Although his connection was not perfect, the ball fell for Azon, who fired over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.
Second Half Drama
Albion ought to have taken the lead on the stroke of half-time when Danny Imray's delivery from the right spun into the path of Aune Heggebo, who turned and struck just wide of the far post. Alex Mowatt then played a cute one-two with Dike on the edge of the area, forcing Walton to beat away the low drive.
Walton came to Ipswich's aid once more early in the second half after Jayson Molumby and Imray combined down the right. The latter's low ball was curled goalwards by Dike, but was superbly parried away. Furlong's long throw was glanced on by Greaves, but Jack Clarke, with time and space at the back post, made a hash of his opportunity and missed the ball completely.
Ipswich began to assert dominance as the second half wore on. They even had the ball in the net with 20 minutes to go, when Max O'Leary spilled substitute Jaden Philogene's bending strike from distance and Kipre turned the rebound home, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Kieran McKenna turned to Wes Burns and George Hirst from his bench in order to inject more urgency and secure the all-important breakthrough, but West Brom remained resolute to secure their survival.
