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Sunderland 2-1 Stoke City: EFL Championship complications for The Potters

• Stoke City faced Sunderland in a highly competitive match during EFL Championship's 19th round.
• Despite a promising start with Lewis Koumas scoring early, Sunderland secured a late 2-1 victory.
• Tom Watson, assisted by Jobe Bellingham, delivered a standout performance with two crucial goals.

ByOscar Cortes|
Sunderland 2-1 Stoke City: EFL Championship complications for The Potters
Sunderland 2-1 Stoke City: EFL Championship complications for The Potters | Stu Forster/GettyImages

Stoke City entered this match knowing they were up against one of the league's top teams, Sunderland. Manager Narcís Pelach fielded what was considered the strongest possible lineup, although they were missing captain Ben Gibson due to injury.

The game started with an electrifying pace, as Lewis Koumas stunned the home crowd with a goal in the 6th minute, giving Stoke an early 1-0 lead.

However, the celebration was short-lived. Sunderland equalized just a minute later through Tom Watson, who converted a well-timed assist from Jobe Bellingham, the younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.

The remainder of the first half saw Sunderland dominate possession and create dangerous chances, but Stoke goalkeeper Victor Johansson once again proved pivotal, making crucial saves to keep the score level at halftime.

READ MORE: Tom Cannon and a nomination that makes him shine brightly at Stoke City

Second-Half Shift in Momentum

The second half brought a more composed Stoke City, who managed to gain control of the ball. By the end of the game, they held 54% possession compared to Sunderland’s 46%, completing 459 passes to Sunderland’s 383. However, despite this improvement in ball retention, Stoke struggled to create meaningful attacking opportunities.

Sunderland, on the other hand, continued to pose a threat in front of goal. Their relentless pressure eventually paid off in the 86th minute when Tom Watson struck again, sealing the game with his second goal and handing Sunderland a 2-1 victory.

A Difficult Position for Stoke

This loss leaves Stoke City in a challenging spot in the EFL Championship standings. While the team showed flashes of promise with improved possession and organization under Pelach, the lack of cutting-edge offense and defensive lapses proved costly. The defeat also underscores the need for Stoke to find consistency as they continue their push to climb the league table.

With Sunderland cementing their place among the league's top contenders, Stoke City will need to regroup quickly and prepare for their upcoming fixtures in hopes of turning their season around.

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