Stoke City 1-0 Birmingham City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Stoke City 1-0 Birmingham City in the Championship on Saturday, 13 September 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Stoke City secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Birmingham City at home, a result that extends their impressive run of form. The decisive moment came early in the match when Bosun Lawal scored in the 21st minute, proving to be the difference between the two sides. This win follows a loss to West Bromwich Albion but marks their third victory in their last four games, showcasing their resilience and consistency. Birmingham City, on the other hand, have now suffered back-to-back defeats, which will be a concern for their manager as they look to climb the table.

The result might not have been surprising given Stoke's recent performances, but it was a testament to their defensive solidity and ability to capitalise on limited opportunities. Birmingham had more possession but struggled to break down Stoke's defense, highlighting the effectiveness of the home side's game plan. For Stoke, this win is a significant boost as they continue to push for promotion, while Birmingham will need to regroup quickly to halt their slide.

The statistics from the match reveal a game where Birmingham City had the upper hand in possession, holding 58% compared to Stoke's 42%. Despite this, Stoke managed to secure the win, which suggests they were more effective with their limited possession. The corner count was close, with Stoke taking five and Birmingham three, indicating both teams had their moments in attack.

Interestingly, Stoke received three yellow cards compared to Birmingham's one, suggesting a more physical approach from the home side. The successful dribbles percentage was higher for Stoke at 44% compared to Birmingham's 36%, which could indicate better individual performances from Stoke's players. Overall, the stats show a closely contested match where Stoke's efficiency in front of goal made the difference.

The key moment of the match came in the 21st minute when Bosun Lawal scored for Stoke City, a goal that ultimately decided the game. This early strike set the tone for Stoke's defensive approach, as they focused on maintaining their lead. Birmingham made several substitutions around the 60th minute, trying to change the game's dynamics, but they couldn't find the equaliser.

Stoke's substitutions in the latter stages of the game, including Joon-Ho Bae in the 71st minute and Tatsuki Seko in the 82nd, helped them manage the game and see out the victory. The yellow cards received by Stoke's players in the final stages, including J. Tchamadeu and Ben Pearson, showed their determination to protect their lead. Birmingham's late substitution of Bright Osayi-Samuel and his subsequent yellow card in injury time highlighted their frustration at failing to score.

Stoke City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bosun Lawal starting in defense and scoring the crucial goal. The lineup was largely as expected, with no major surprises in the starting XI. The impact of the substitutions, particularly Joon-Ho Bae and Tatsuki Seko, helped Stoke maintain their lead and see out the game.

Lawal's performance was standout, not only for his goal but also for his defensive contributions. The yellow cards received by Tchamadeu, Pearson, and Thomas in the latter stages showed their commitment to securing the win. Overall, the lineup and formation worked well for Stoke, allowing them to control the game and secure the three points.

Birmingham City opted for a 4-4-2 formation, with no major surprises in their starting lineup. The team made several substitutions around the 60th minute, bringing on Bright Osayi-Samuel, Marvin Ducksch, Lewis Koumas, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Marc Leonard in an attempt to change the game's momentum. Despite these changes, they couldn't find a way past Stoke's defense.

The performance of the starting XI was solid but lacked the cutting edge needed to break down Stoke's defense. The late yellow card for Osayi-Samuel showed their frustration at failing to score. Overall, the lineup and formation were well-executed, but Birmingham will need to find more creativity in attack to turn their fortunes around.

Bosun Lawal is Coral’s Man of the Match, and his performance was pivotal in securing the victory for Stoke City. Scoring the only goal of the game in the 21st minute, Lawal demonstrated his importance to the team. His goal was the difference between the two sides, and his defensive contributions helped Stoke maintain their lead throughout the match.

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Birmingham City (H)

• Loss: 0-1 vs West Bromwich Albion (H)

• Win: 2-1 vs Southampton (A)

• Win: 3-0 vs Sheffield Wednesday (A)

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Stoke City (A)

• Loss: 0-2 vs Leicester City (A)

• Win: 1-0 vs Oxford United (H)

• Win: 2-1 vs Blackburn Rovers (A)

Stoke City now sit in second place with 12 points, and their next game is against Queens Park Rangers, who are in 12th place with 7 points, on September 20, 2025 at 11:30. This result will boost their confidence as they prepare for another challenging match. They will look to continue their solid defensive performances and capitalise on their attacking opportunities to maintain their position near the top of the table.

Birmingham City find themselves in 11th place with 7 points, and their next fixture is against Swansea City, who are in 7th place with 8 points, on September 20, 2025 at 11:30. This loss will be a setback, but they will need to regroup quickly and focus on improving their attacking play. A positive result against Swansea could help them regain momentum and climb the league standings.

Championship Game Week 6, 25/26

• Middlesbrough Vs West Brom

• QPR Vs Stoke City

• Birmingham Vs Swansea

• Leicester City Vs Coventry

• Blackburn Rovers Vs Ipswich Town

• Derby County Vs Preston

• Hull City Vs Southampton

• Portsmouth Vs Sheffield Wednesday

• Sheffield United Vs Charlton

• Norwich City Vs Wrexham

• Bristol City Vs Oxford Utd

• Millwall Vs Watford

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