CHAMPIONSHIP: West Brom 2 - 0 Town
By Will on 22 August 2009
IPSWICH TOWN slipped into the relegation zone on Saturday afternoon, with goals from Youssuf Mulumbu and Robert Koren sealing a dominating win for West Bromwich Albion.
Richard Wright was Ipswich Town's stand out player throughout, making a number of spectacular saves. His performance included a wonderful penalty save with his feet.
West Brom took an early lead, after dominating the opening stages. A Chris Brunt corner was not fully cleared, and came out to Yousuff Mulumbu 30-yards out. His left footed shot was superb, drilling the ball into the bottom left corner.
Ipswich looked to force their way back into the game quickly, Jon Stead saw his shot blocked by Shelton Martis, before Chris Brunt did well to clear a Lee Martin corner.
Minutes later, however, Richard Wright was forced into making a tricky save, the resulting corner had to be cleared off the line.
Connor Wickham then tested Scott Carson on 20 minutes, before Lee Martin wasted a threatening free-kick. A minute later, Martin did well to turn, but his shot from the edge of the area flew horribley wide.
On 25 Chris Brunt took another teasing corner, this time forcing Wright into another magnificent save. Luke Moore being caught offside just seconds later.
Ipswich won a corner just before the half hour mark following more good work from Connor Wickham. Again a West Brom defender dealt with it comfortably.
Richard Wright then saved well from Luke Moore's dipping 20-yard effort, before the on rushing Marek Cech was flagged offside by the linesman.
On 37, however, good pressing from West Brom finally paid off. Robert Koren found himself one-on-one with Richard Wright, thanks to a clever pass from Chris Wood, and after taking the ball around the former England goalkeeper, slammed the ball into the top corner.
Ipswich did try their best to press as the half drew to a close, but for all the impressive build up play, they really lacked the cutting edge that someone like Pablo Counago may have brought.
Roy Keane made a double substitution at half time. Owen Garvan was replaced by Jack Colback who came on to make his Ipswich league debut. Jon Stead was replaced by Alan Quinn.
Both substitutes appeared to make a positive impact, adding so much more energy to the midfield - something that was desperately lacking in the first half.
Ipswich really appeared to match West Brom in the early stages of the second half. Shelton Martis was forced into making crucial clearances from Liam Trotter and Jack Colback as Ipswich looked to dominate.
However, this was not long lived, West Brom's quick counter-attacking football was at times too much for Ipswich to live with.
Young Tommy Smith did look more composed than Damien Delaney, replacing him in the team, but struggled to deal with Chris Brunt throughout.
However, Brunt was replaced by Jerome Thomas on 55, before Luke Moore again forced Richard Wright into another wonderful save.
On the hour mark, Scott Carson ensured that he did not miss out on the goalkeeping spectacular that was being served up, making a wonderful save to deny Jon Walters.
Richard Wright then did excellently to deny Jerome Thomas, before Alex Bruce was called upon to clear away a threatening cross by Joe Mattock.
Tamas Priskin then replaced Connor Wickham, before Jerome Thomas won a free-kick off Tommy Smith. Shaun Cummings was unable to test Wright.
Tommy Smith was again caught out on 74, bringing down Cummings. The referee, Steve Tanner, immediately pointed to the spot. Luke Moore stepped up to take it, but the in form Richard Wright did fantastically to save with his feet after going the wrong way.
Ipswich did not give up, but were quite frankly out classed, and but for the wonderful saves of Richard Wright, they could honestly have let in 10 goals.
Encouraging signs at times, but work still needing to be done. They meet Peterborough on Tuesday night in the Carling Cup, before Preston North-End visit Portman Road next weekend.
Att: 19,390 Ref: Mr S Tanner
Ipswich Man-of-the-match: Richard Wright. England goalkeeping crisis? Perhaps Capello could look at Richard Wright. The ex-England keeper looks a class apart from his team mates.
West Brom Man-of-the-match: Shelton Martis. By far the best defender on the pitch. Stifled Ipswich constantly, and was also a threat from set-pieces.
Ipswich Significant Other: Jack Colback. The whole game changed when Alan Quinn and the young Sunderland loanee entered the fray. Showed great energy as well as good composure.