Tough Visit in the EFL Championship | Watford 3-0 Stoke City
• Lewis Koumas made his debut after a concerning injury to Lynden Gooch
• Stoke City looks to recover from this heavy blow and prepare for the next match against West Brom Albion
By Oscar Cortes
In the second round of the EFL Championship, Stoke City faced a challenging away game against Watford, marking their first meeting this year since their last encounter in the EFL Championship on December 29, 2023, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
However, this time, Watford proved to be a well-drilled and formidable team, showing a clear superiority on the field that Stoke City could not overcome, leading to a 3-0 defeat.
READ MORE: Stoke City Continues to Pursue One More Signing for This Season
Stoke City Returns Home Empty-Handed
During the match, Stoke City struggled, particularly in the first half. Despite starting strong in the opening minutes, the home advantage played a significant role for Watford. The support from their fans bolstered their confidence, allowing Watford to dominate possession in the first half, although they failed to capitalize on their chances.
The second half saw a dramatic shift as Watford came out aggressively. Just two minutes into the half, Watford took the lead with a goal from Edo Kayembe in the 47th minute. Stoke City was unable to recover, and just two minutes later, Ryan Andrews doubled Watford's lead, making it 2-0 in the 49th minute. This quick succession of goals was a harsh blow to Steve Schumacher's men.
City's winning start to 24/25 is ended at Vicarage Road. pic.twitter.com/3aGCwZg8Wd
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 17, 2024
Further compounding Stoke City's troubles, Lynden Gooch was forced off due to injury, paving the way for the debut of Lewis Koumas, a young player signed from Liverpool's academy. Unfortunately, Koumas's debut came in the midst of a painful defeat, as Watford sealed their victory with a third goal by Edo Kayembe in the 73rd minute. Kayembe was the standout player of the match, whose pace and effectiveness Stoke City simply couldn't match.
Stoke City now finds itself in 13th place, with only 3 points from 2 games and a goal difference of -2. The team will need to regroup quickly and focus on bouncing back from this tough loss, as they prepare to face West Brom Albion on August 24 at the Bet365 Stadium, where they will hope to turn things around with the support of their home crowd.
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