Fans of West Bromwich Albion will be shouting that nevertheless, as they managed to salvage a point from their Wednesday night match at Loftus Road thanks to a contentious incident during their 2-2 draw with Queens Park Rangers.
Referee Geoff Eltringham did not penalise Cedric Kipre for clearing the goal line with his hand because they believed custodian Alex Palmer had touched Sam Field’s header with his fingertip, causing it to go over the crossbar.
With the Baggies in a top-six competition that will undoubtedly come down to the last minute, this choice might have far-reaching effects as the season comes to an end.
A handball incident involving Cedric Kipre gives West Bromwich Albion a crucial point in the Championship playoff chase.
In West London, Albion appeared to be winning the first half as Carlos Corberan’s team overcame an early deficit to lead at the half.
The hosts had taken the lead through goals from Sam Field, but before the half, Mikey Johnston and Grady Diangana scored again in quick succession to tie the score.
Palmer was called upon early in the second half to save the lead from Michael Frey’s penalty, and Kipre then pulled off some more spectacular goalkeeping to keep the advantage for the visitors.
The Ivory Coast international escaped punishment for his infraction, which, had it been observed by the referees, would have earned the opposition a penalty and a red card.
Albion have really escaped with their lives, having to play the final hour of the match with ten men and missing a crucial defender for three games following the Rangers incident.
Kipre’s breaching the law was not rewarded with three points thanks to Field’s late equaliser, but the draw keeps the Baggies in fifth place, five points ahead of seventh-place Norwich City.
The final stretch of West Bromwich Albion’s championship.
If Kipre had been sent out for his actions, he would have missed this Sunday’s trip to Huddersfield Town in addition to games against Millwall and Bristol City, should the offence have warranted a three-game punishment.
The 27-year-old defender is a virtual constant for a defence that has given up the third fewest goals in the division this season, so having him in the backline will be crucial for his team.
This season, only Leeds United and Leicester City have allowed less goals than the Baggies. The Ivorian has started in 14 games in which his team has maintained a clean sheet.
Important games in Albion’s final stretch include a matchup with league leaders Leicester and a matchup with other playoff contenders Preston North End on the last day. They will also play Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City to decide who goes down in the relegation zone before the season finishes.
Sometimes doing the wrong thing pays off, and if West Brom manages to sneak into the playoffs this year, they can look back on Kipre’s shrewd ‘keeping as the turning point.
