Stoke City endured another frustrating evening at the Bet365 Stadium as they settled for a 0-0 draw against Preston North End. Despite controlling 58% of possession and dictating the tempo for much of the match, Narcís Pelach's side failed to capitalize on their chances in front of goal.
This result marks Stoke's third consecutive draw in the EFL Championship, following previous stalemates against Millwall (1-1) and Queen's Park Rangers (1-1).
The game reflected Stoke’s recurring issues in the attacking third. While they registered 12 total shots, only one was on target, with one effort striking the post to further emphasize their misfortune. In contrast, Preston managed eight attempts, three of which were on target, highlighting their slightly sharper edge in attack.
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A Tale of Two Halves
Stoke’s performance was particularly strong in the first half, where they controlled possession and created promising opportunities. However, the second half saw moments of inconsistency, allowing Preston to gain a foothold in the game. The substitutions made by Pelach—introducing Sol Sidibé, Lewis Koumas, and André Vidigal—failed to deliver the desired impact, leaving the home side unable to break the deadlock.
The lack of a cutting edge in attack remains a significant concern for Stoke City, whose struggles in converting dominance into goals have hampered their recent form.
The visitors hold firm as City’s unbeaten run extends to five. pic.twitter.com/o6HldXIF6p
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) November 26, 2024
Looking Ahead: Burnley at Home
As Stoke prepares to host Burnley in their next fixture, the pressure is mounting for Pelach to address the team’s offensive inefficiencies. With three consecutive draws, Stoke must find a way to secure a victory and keep pace in the Championship standings.
The upcoming match against Burnley presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Stoke to reignite their campaign. Fans will be hoping for a more clinical display as the Potters aim to turn their promising performances into much-needed wins.