A spectacular goal from defender Manuel Thetis kept Ipswich on course for
automatic promotion and dented West Brom's bid to grab a place in the
play-offs.
But the fiery Frenchman who has picked up a string of yellow cards since
joining Town in September, blotted his copy book yet again when he was given his
marching orders in the 85th minute along with Albion's Sean Flynn.
The 26-year-old Thetis, a bargain £50,000 signing from Seville, is now facing
his fourth suspension of the campaign having also faced an FA disciplinary
hearing.
He grabbed the all-important goal in the 15th minute after Jim Magilton's
corner was chipped into the middle by Jamie Clapham.
Thetis found the target with a magnificent overhead kick to direct the ball
wide of keeper Phil Whitehead and into the back of the Albion nets.
But before Thetis' all important strike it was Town who have not been beaten
at the Hawthorns for 15 years who were back-pedalling with Albion holding the
reins.
After only two minutes Town keeper Richard Wright had to go down to hold a
hard angled drive from Mark Angel just moments before Kevin Kilbane fired his
close range shot just inches wide.
Ipswich then took the lead in their first threat on the Albion goal but Denis
Smith's men squandered a golden chance of levelling the scoreline in the 22nd
minute.
Fabian de Freitas dispossessed Tony Mowbray on the right to slip a perfect
ball to the unmarked Angel.
But the former Oxford striker with the Ipswich goal at his mercy fired his
shot from six yards wide when it looked easier to find the net.
After the break Albion, sadly missing 31-goal striker Lee Hughes who failed to
win his fight for fitness after damaging shoulder ligaments, had another good
chance at getting back into the game.
Richard Sneekes created a good opening for James Quinn but he fired his shot
straight into the arms of Town's England Under-21 keeper.
It was then the turn of Albion to have a lucky escape when the woodwork denied
highflying Town a second goal.
The menacing Clapham sliced open the Albion defence for Magilton who unleashed
a terrific left-footer that beat the diving Whitehead only to hit the post.
Then, with just five minutes left on the clock, Thetis and Flynn were given
their marching orders by Whitley Bay referee David Laws after being involved in
a violent clash.
Teams
West Brom: Whitehead, Gabbidon, Potter (Murphy 76), Flynn,
Burgess, Carbon, Quinn (Richards 82), Sneekes, De Freitas, Angel,
Kilbane (Maresca 62).
Sent Off: Flynn (85).
Booked: Quinn.
Ipswich: Wright, Wilnis, Thetis, Clapham, Mowbray, Venus,
Stockwell, Holland, Johnson, Scowcroft, Magilton.
Subs Not Used: Naylor, Tanner, Petta.
Sent Off: Thetis (85).
Goals: Thetis 15.
Att: 15,552
Ref: G Laws (Whitley Bay).
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