Stoke City endured a challenging evening as they fell 2-0 to Burnley in a fiercely contested EFL Championship match. Manager Narcís Pelach opted for a five-man defensive setup, aiming to exploit the wings through the attacking contributions of his wing-backs. However, the plan didn’t unfold as hoped, with Burnley showcasing their quality and taking control, particularly in the second half.
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Missed Opportunities in the First Half
The first 45 minutes offered glimpses of promise for Stoke City, who managed to create several opportunities. However, their recurring issue of poor finishing came back to haunt them as they failed to capitalize on these chances. Burnley, on the other hand, stayed composed and waited for their moment to strike.
Burnley’s Second-Half Breakthrough
The second half saw Burnley assert themselves early. Just seven minutes after the restart, Jay Rodriguez opened the scoring with a clinical finish, putting the visitors ahead. Despite Stoke City’s efforts to regroup, including substitutions that introduced Andrew Moran and Lewis Koumas, the Potters struggled to regain control.
Burnley inflict a first defeat in six on the Potters. pic.twitter.com/k9wZn97uR0
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) November 30, 2024
Burnley sealed their victory late in the match when a penalty awarded to the visitors allowed Josh Brownhill to double their lead. This left Stoke City with little time to respond, ultimately resulting in a 2-0 defeat.
This loss leaves Stoke City firmly mid-table in the EFL Championship, with much work to do if they are to push for a higher position. The team now turns its focus to a daunting away fixture against Sunderland on December 7. Facing another strong opponent, Stoke will need to regroup and address their attacking inefficiencies if they hope to secure a positive result.
Final thoughts on the Stoke City game
While the defeat to Burnley is a setback, Stoke City still has opportunities to prove their mettle as the season progresses. The upcoming clash with Sunderland will test their resilience and ability to bounce back under pressure.