West Brom’s Class Caps Sluggish Start for Ipswich

Still in a state of disbelief following the shock retirement of 22-year-old goalkeeper Shane Supple, Ipswich travelled to the Hawthorns aiming to notch their first victory of the new campaign. However, clinical finishing from West Brom meant Ipswich sit uncomfortably with just one point from four games, also leading to many Town faithful coming round to the belief that the appointment of Roy Keane could prove yet another false dawn.

Goals from Youssouf Mulumbu and Robert Koren ensured West Brom return to the leading pack, alongside fellow promotion contenders, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough.

Supple said he had “lost his passion for the game”, though there were no such problems for Roy Keane’s first choice ‘keeper. If it weren’t for local boy Richard Wright, the score line could have been embarrassing. The former Arsenal stopper made some spectacular saves, including one from the penalty spot.

A fine display from Richard Wright was not enough for Ipswich

The first half started with The Baggies penning the visitors back. Their free-flowing football may not have worked in the Premier League, but on Saturday Roberto di Matteo reaped the rewards. Mulumbu gave them the lead after just ten minutes, with a low shot that somehow made its way through the bodies.

That goal sparked somewhat of a response from Ipswich. However some impressive build-up play never paid off, with most of their play being channelled through 16-year-old Connor Wickham, Lee Martin, and Jon Stead; though nobody could find an end product. The Baggies would if made it two shortly after, however, if it wasn’t for a magnificent double save from Wright in the Ipswich goal. Luke Moore shot required a strong hand, before Koren’s unchallenged header forced Wright to react quickly.

At this point it was a fairly open game, but West Brom delivered a killer blow when Koren finished well after a one-two with Chris Wood. That goal pretty much summed up the first 45 minutes, with the hosts’ decisiveness the difference between the two sides.

Koren finishes off a neat move

The second half started with the away side piling the pressure on Scott Carson’s goal, and the England international did well to maintain his side’s two goal lead. Although the game looked lost for the visitors when defender Tommy Smith brought down Shaun Cummings in the box. Richard Wright, however, capped his man-of-the-match by saving Luke Moore’s penalty with his foot.

The game ended in a 2-0 victory for di Matteo’s side, putting Roy Keane under more pressure than Julio Baptista’s deck chair. The defeat means Ipswich have taken just one point from four games, and Keane’s young side drift further away from the promotion places. West Brom, however, remain in touch with the leading pack.

Teams
West Bromwich Albion	Ipswich Town
19 Scott Carson	1 Richard Wright
24 Shelton Martis	2 David Wright
4 Marek Cech	5 Alex Bruce
3 Jonas Olsson	15 Pim Balkestein
2 Joe Mattock	35 Tommy Smith
26 Shaun Cummings	8 Lee Martin
7 Robert Koren	7 Owen Garvan
11 Chris Brunt	36 Liam Trotter
21 Youssouf Mulunbu	14 Jonathan Stead
16 Luke Moore	19 Jonathan Walters
15 Chris Woods	40 Connor Wickham