EFL Championship Victory | Plymouth Argyle 0-1 Stoke City

In the fourth round of the EFL Championship, Stoke City faced Plymouth Argyle in a very challenging away match. The pre-match expectations suggested an evenly contested game, and Stoke City indeed managed to break the deadlock in the final minutes, thanks to a goal from Million Manhoef.

The team secured the victory and took all three points home. It was a tough match for Stoke City, as Plymouth Argyle dominated several parts of the second half. The possession stats reflect this, with Plymouth controlling 56% of the ball compared to Stoke City's 44%.

READ MORE: A Very Positive Change for Stoke City in the EFL Cup

A Tough Battle for Steve Schumacher’s Side

For this match, Steve Schumacher selected the 11 players he believed were most suited to face Plymouth Argyle, following their victory over Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup. We saw a fantastic attacking trio in action, with Million Manhoef, Ryan Mmaee, and Lewis Koumas leading the charge. Meanwhile, Viktor Johansson was rock-solid in goal, showing exactly why Stoke City signed him, with the team placing full confidence in his abilities.

The first half was a tightly contested affair, with the game truly opening up in the second half. The substitutions made a significant impact, but it wasn’t until the 83rd minute that Million Manhoef scored a brilliant goal, assisted by 17-year-old Sol Sidibe, to secure the three points for Stoke City.

There wasn’t much time left after that, but Plymouth Argyle put Stoke City under heavy pressure in the final minutes, creating some dangerous moments for Viktor Johansson. However, the match ended 1-0, a fantastic victory for Stoke City.

Throughout the game, Viktor Johansson stood out as the key player, with his seven crucial saves being instrumental in securing the win. Although Plymouth Argyle didn't create many clear-cut chances, Stoke City capitalized on the one they had, clinching all three points.

Stoke City will now focus on their next match, but they have a long break ahead due to the upcoming FIFA international window. Their next game is scheduled for September 14th.