Stoke City 2-2 Bristol City | Another Draw in the EFL Championship

In a difficult match for Stoke City in the EFL Championship, they hosted one of the most competitive teams in the league, Bristol City, at the BET365 Stadium for another round of the competition.

While it was expected that Stoke City would show their strength at home and their ambitions for the season, unfortunately, this was not reflected on the field. Despite a strong start, they faded as the game progressed, allowing Bristol City to play a fantastic match and leave with a 2-2 draw at the BET365 Stadium.

READ MORE: A Fascinating History Between Stoke City and Bristol City

A tough game for Stoke City

Narcís Pelach selected a very talented lineup for this match, almost identical to the one used in the previous game against Norwich City, which also ended in a draw. He fielded the same starting eleven, including the attacking trio of Million Manhoef, Tom Cannon, and Bae Jun Ho, who were influential but not enough to secure the win.

The goals for Stoke City came from the midfield, starting with a brilliant play in the 2nd minute when Tom Cannon assisted Lewis Koumas, giving Stoke City an early 1-0 lead. The start seemed almost perfect for Stoke City, and just a few minutes later, in the 14th minute, Andrew Moran scored after an assist from Lewis Koumas, making it 2-0.

A strong start but a costly setback

Despite the perfect start, Stoke City fell into a defensive mindset, allowing Bristol City to take control of the game, dominating possession. Stoke City went into halftime with a 2-0 lead, a favorable advantage, but they needed to maintain it.

Unfortunately, when the second half began, Bristol City came out with a very offensive approach. In the 50th minute, Nahki Wells scored to make it 2-1, and just two minutes later, Wells scored again, proving himself to be a lethal striker. Stoke City’s defense appeared to be completely off guard, unaware of Bristol City’s attacking threat.

Substitutions and a disappointing draw

Narcís Pelach made substitutions, bringing on players like Niall Ennis and Andre Vidigal, but unfortunately, they had little impact on the game. The match ended 2-2, leaving Stoke City in 15th place in the EFL Championship. This draw complicates things for Stoke City as they will need to secure victories in the upcoming matches, where they will be playing as visitors.