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Viktor Johansson Shines Despite Stoke City’s Defeat to Sunderland

• Stoke City fell to a 2-1 loss against Sunderland in a challenging EFL Championship match on December 7.
• Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson emerged as Stoke’s standout player, delivering an outstanding performance under heavy pressure.
• Sunderland’s relentless attack tested Johansson, who made 8 crucial saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

ByOscar Cortes|
Viktor Johansson Shines Despite Stoke City’s Defeat to Sunderland
Viktor Johansson Shines Despite Stoke City’s Defeat to Sunderland | Alex Livesey/GettyImages

Sunderland, known for their aggressive and attacking style, posed significant challenges for Stoke City throughout the match. Despite the tactical adjustments made by Stoke manager Narcís Pelach, Sunderland dominated offensively, creating 24 total shots during the game.

Sunderland have plenty of scoring opportunities in the match

Viktor Johansson, Stoke’s 26-year-old Swedish goalkeeper, was instrumental in limiting the damage. Of Sunderland’s 10 shots on target, Johansson made 8 impressive saves, with 5 of those coming from inside the penalty area.

His quick reflexes and solid positioning ensured that Sunderland's margin of victory did not grow larger, showcasing his importance to Stoke’s defensive efforts.

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

Positive statistics for the archer of the potters

Johansson’s contributions extended beyond just shot-stopping. He was highly involved in the buildup play, recording 64 touches and completing 26 of his 47 attempted passes, resulting in a 55% passing accuracy.

While long passes proved more challenging—he completed 7 of 28 attempts—his command of the penalty area was exceptional. Johansson executed 4 successful clearances and intercepted 3 aerial threats, maintaining composure and control in high-pressure moments.

Stoke City begin to depend on Viktor Johansson's level

Johansson's performance against Sunderland reinforced his status as a cornerstone of Stoke City’s squad.

The goalkeeper has been pivotal throughout the season, often delivering match-saving performances. His consistency between the posts has been crucial in securing points and minimizing damage in difficult fixtures, as was evident in this match.

While Stoke City struggled collectively in this encounter, Johansson’s heroics underlined his quality as a top-tier goalkeeper. As the season progresses, his reliability and leadership will be vital for Stoke City to stabilize their form and climb the EFL Championship table.

Now Stoke City will have to think about what happens next for the season, as they are approaching a match where they must raise their heads where they will face Luton Town at home and they will have to wake up to be able to win the match.

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