Stoke City's great figure despite their elimination in the FA Cup

Stoke City faced a tough challenge in the fourth round of the FA Cup, hosting Cardiff City at BET365 Stadium in front of their home supporters. Despite some promising moments, Mark Robins’ squad failed to secure a victory, eventually falling to Cardiff on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

It was a painful elimination for The Potters, especially considering the strong performances from several players, particularly Lewis Koumas, the 19-year-old on loan from Liverpool.

READ MORE: Stoke City 3 (2) - (4) 3 Cardiff City: FA Cup surprises for The Potters

Lewis Koumas: A Standout Performance

Koumas was Stoke City's key player, delivering an exceptional performance. He played 90 minutes, before being substituted in the 91st minute for Tatsuki Seko ahead of extra time. Having given everything on the pitch, fatigue forced his exit.

Throughout the match, Koumas stood out with his attacking presence. He had 47 touches, completed 11 of 17 passes (65% accuracy), and scored two goals from four shots (50% efficiency).

His dribbling ability was also impressive, successfully completing five out of eight attempted take-ons. Operating primarily from the left wing, he constantly cut inside to create danger in the final third, showcasing his offensive potential.

Stoke Falls Short in Penalty Shootout

Despite a spirited comeback, the match ended 3-3, forcing a penalty shootout. Unfortunately, Stoke City failed to capitalize, with Michael Rose and Tatsuki Seko missing their penalties. While Emre Tezgel and Wouter Burger converted their attempts, it was not enough to avoid elimination.

With Cardiff clinically finishing their penalties, the match ended in a 4-2 shootout defeat, bringing an end to Stoke City’s FA Cup journey. Although it was a disappointing result, the performance of Lewis Koumas and other key players provided some positives as Stoke looks ahead to the remainder of the season.