In the 27th round of the EFL Championship, Stoke City found themselves in a fiercely competitive match against West Brom Albion, one of the top teams in the league.
Despite West Brom's dominance in possession, they struggled with effectiveness in front of goal, allowing Stoke City to secure a crucial 1-1 draw away from home. This result saw Stoke climb to 18th in the table, while West Brom remained in 6th, showcasing the disparity in their standings but not in the scoreline.
Nathan Lowe emerged as a key figure for Stoke City, filling the void left by Tom Cannon, who recently returned to Leicester City after his loan spell. Cannon's departure, a significant loss as the team's top scorer, meant Lowe had big shoes to fill.
The 19-year-old rose to the occasion, scoring a vital goal in the 9th minute to give Stoke an early lead.
READ MORE: West Brom 1-1 Stoke City: Points shared as The Potters move away from relegation
Nathan Lowe's promising performance for Stoke City vs West Brom Albion
Lowe's performance was noteworthy, as he played 84 minutes, recorded 24 touches, and achieved a 92% pass completion rate, completing 11 out of 12 attempted passes.
His ability to occupy critical spaces in attack and contribute defensively against a possession-heavy West Brom team was impressive. Lowe’s display highlighted his potential as a young star for Stoke City, with the possibility of him becoming a permanent replacement for Cannon.
🗣️ Pressure lifted, guidance from the gaffer and never feeling more confident than today.
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) January 18, 2025
Reaction from your Academy graduate goal scorer, Nathan Lowe 👇 pic.twitter.com/KRPU4uApTc
Mark Robbins will likely continue to consider Lowe as a central figure in Stoke's offensive plans for the rest of the season. Niall Ennis, who replaced Lowe in the 84th minute, had limited impact as West Brom pressed for a comeback.
However, Ennis remains another contender for the striker position, and his contributions will be crucial in the upcoming matches.
Stoke City's future a complicated road
Stoke City's resilient defensive performance and Lowe's emergence provide optimism as they aim to climb further up the table.
With Robbins at the helm and promising talents like Lowe stepping up, Stoke City looks poised to improve their standing in the EFL Championship. Their next challenge will be to build on this momentum and secure vital points in the battles ahead.