West Brom were cruising at 2-0, with the visitors unable to make an impact, and Phillips should have put the icing on the cake with a third goal.
Jed Wallace was denied his fourth assist of the season when Phillips failed to convert from inside the six-yard box, putting Ipswich out of the game.
“That hasn’t gone in because he’s gone with the outside of his right boot; let it come across your body,” Hinchcliffe remarked live on Sky Sports on Saturday (25 November, 6:44pm).
“Any connection and that’s 3-0, game over. It’s an incredible miss. It’s an intelligent run from Wallace, the choice of cross is absolutely perfect, and Phillips goes with his right foot but he doesn’t need to do that.
“West Brom should be out of sight.”
Fortunately for Phillips, the Tractor Boys’ lack of retaliation ensured that his squandered opportunity was remembered fondly rather than with regret.
It occurs. Footballers are only human, but if Ipswich had come back, the miss would have been unacceptable. He would have been in the goal if he had been any closer.
Darnell Furlong and Grady Diangana scored for West Brom in a 2-0 victory over the team in second position, propelling the club into the elusive play-off spots.
"How has that not gone in?"
Matt Phillips misses a sitter! pic.twitter.com/6bqKsfj2jb
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 25, 2023
It is one of West Brom’s most essential three points of the season thus far, demonstrating their clear aim for this season – promotion.
Even despite the number of heavyweight clubs now in the division, such as Leicester City, Ipswich, Leeds United and Southampton, West Brom are looking like a very confident side and will be looking to take every chance to keep up the pressure on the rest of the promotion-hopefuls.