Albion return to winning ways

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Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter score second-half goals in deserved 2-0 win over Ipswich at Portman Road.

Bruce Talbot

2025-01-16T21:15+00:00

Skipper Adam Webster celebrates with goalscorer Kaoru Mitoma. 📷 by James Boardman.

Kaoru Mitoma’s fourth goal of the season and a third goal in two games for Georginio Rutter ensured Albion deservedly returned to winning ways at Portman Road.

Their goals rewarded a dominant second-half display by Fabian Hurzeler’s side, who moved up to ninth in the Premier League table having lost just two of their last 11 games.

There have been a lot of draws during that run but after Bart Verbruggen had made a couple of important saves before the break Albion took control.

Mitoma scored after unselfish work by Matt O’Riley and five days after his double sunk Norwich, Rutter came off the bench to inflict punishment on their East Anglian rivals with 11 minutes to go when he swivelled to score from close range.

High flier: Kaoru Mitoma celebrates in front of 3000 Albion fans after opening the scoring, 📷by James Boardman.

Albion had dominated early on and after 20 minutes had 67% of the possession but their only on-target effort in that time a tame shot by Mitoma which was comfortable for ex-Seagull Christian Walton.

Ipswich were happy to let Albion have the ball and try and break them down while offering a threat on transition and midway through the first half Bart Verbruggen got down smartly and deflected Nathan Broadhead’s curling effort round his left-hand post. A hitherto anxious home crowd found their voice and they were further enthused when Liam Delap cut in from the left and struck a powerful right-foot shot straight at Verbruggen.

The Albion keeper was tested again four minutes before the break when he kept out Omari Hutchinson’s shot as the first half ended finely poised.

Joao Pedro watches as Luke Woolfenden clears his lines. 📷 James Boardman.

Delap was booked for an off-the-ball push on Joel Veltman and Joao Pedro followed him into referee Harrington’s book when he collided with Walton at speed as they tussled for a loose ball.

Ipswich were first to threaten in the second half when Wes Burns hurriedly dragged his shot wide from 12 yards but it was Albion who broke the deadlock after 59 minutes.

A missed clearance by Dara O’Shea in the left-hand corner was ruthlessly punished as it allowed Yasin Ayari space to pick out O’Riley. He unselfishly squared the ball to Mitoma whose right-foot shot squirmed through Walton’s gloves.

If Walton might have done better with the goal he made up for it in the 67th minute, twisting to push away Joao’s shot on the turn that was heading for the top corner after he’d been found by Rutter’s header. Albion were now firmly in control.

Adam Webster wins an aerial duel with Liam Delap. 📷 James Boardman.

Danny Welbeck made his return to league action after missing five games and with 11 minutes to go Albion doubled their lead thanks to some great improvisation by Rutter.

Ayari whipped a low free kick in from the left-hand touchline and Rutter turned in packed six-yard box to fire low past Walton and into the bottom right-hand corner. In the second half Albion's quality had shone through.

Albion: Verbruggen, Veltman, Webster (Dunk 63), van Hecke, Estupinan, Adingra (Minteh 63), Ayari (Moder 90+4), Baleba, Mitoma, O’Riley (Rutter 63), Joao Pedro (Welbeck 77).