Ipswich 1, West Brom 1: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict and player ratings
Jan 27 2010 By Chris Lepkowski
IT WAS a night of utter relief for Albion – when it should have been more.
They looked set to miss out to a dubious penalty against a side they outclassed for long periods.
Thankfully for the visitors, Chris Brunt saved the day in front of the 500 or so visiting fans who could afford £33.50 or £35 match tickets.
Jonas Olsson was the unlucky Albion player to be penalised in the 67th minute when he was deemed to have climbed over Damien Delaney and pulled his shirt.
It looked harsh at first, with replays offering little conclusive evident otherwise. Even the locals were scratching their heads.
Referee Stuart Attwell, used to dishing out phantom goals, this time awarded a dodgy penalty.
Centre-half Grant Leadbitter converted but Ipswich had their captain and his defensive colleagues to thank for a dominant performance against a continuous wave of Albion attacks.
Ipswich, against the run of play, looked set for the win until Brunt grabbed the dramatic equaliser – just moments from time.
It didn’t take long for Roberto Di Matteo’s men to get into the swing.
A quick move down the field fell for Jerome Thomas. The ex-Arsenal wing-man turned past Liam Rosenior but slammed his right-foot shot over Arran Lee-Barrett’s bar.
Olsson, scorer in Albion’s last two games, was to go close himself in the ninth minute when he turned Graham Dorrans’ corner across the goalmouth.
Roman Bednar stretched but failed to get enough leverage.
It was open for both sides early on, Albion showing the same intensity they’d displayed in two ferociously-paced games against Newcastle.
Brunt delivered a low ball for Bednar to run on to. The Albion man scuffed his shot, allowing Lee-Barrett to get his palm to the low ball.
Ipswich half-cleared as far as Brunt. The Albion man’s right-footed cross again had the Town keeper flapping but he got enough of a touch to send it out of Dorrans’ line of fire and away.
The home side were struggling with Brunt’s ability to pick apart holes in their defence.
His cutting ball to Bednar caught the Town backline napping, allowing the Czech international to race past them.
