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

Dive into Coral’s post-match review of Stoke City 0-1 Coventry City in the Championship on Saturday, 08 November 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Coventry City secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium, extending their impressive run of form. The match was a tight affair, with both teams showing resilience, but it was Ephron Mason-Clark’s late goal in the 86th minute that proved decisive. This result might not have been surprising given Coventry’s recent performances, including wins against Sheffield United and Watford, but it certainly ended Stoke’s three-game winning streak. Despite the loss, Stoke showed they could compete, having previously beaten Oxford United and Bristol City convincingly.

The game was marked by a high level of passion, with both teams receiving seven yellow cards between them. Stoke’s efforts to push forward were evident, but they couldn’t find the breakthrough, perhaps feeling the pressure after their recent loss to Millwall. Coventry, on the other hand, demonstrated their ability to grind out results, a trait that has seen them win four of their last five matches. This victory solidifies their position at the top of the Championship table, while Stoke will need to regroup quickly to maintain their challenge for promotion.

The statistics from the match indicate a closely contested game, with Coventry holding an edge in possession at 54% compared to Stoke's 46%. Coventry also had more corners, with six to Stoke’s three, suggesting they created more scoring opportunities. However, Stoke showed greater effectiveness in dribbling, achieving a 57% success rate compared to Coventry’s 36%. The seven yellow cards (3 for Stoke, 4 for Coventry) reflects the competitive nature of the encounter.

Despite Stoke’s higher dribbling success, it was Coventry who managed to capitalise on their chances, ultimately securing the win. The possession and corner statistics suggest that Coventry had more control over the game’s tempo, while Stoke’s dribbling prowess indicates they were not without threat. Overall, the stats paint a picture of a match where both teams had moments of dominance, but Coventry’s clinical finishing made the difference.

The defining moment of the match came in the 86th minute when Ephron Mason-Clark scored the only goal of the game for Coventry City. This late strike, which came without an assist, proved to be the turning point, securing all three points for the visitors. Both teams showed some indiscipline throughout the match, with a total of seven yellow cards handed out, indicating the intensity of the contest.

Substitutions played a role in the game’s dynamics, with Stoke making three changes and Coventry matching that number. For Stoke, the withdrawal of Lewis Baker and Million Manhoef in the latter stages of the game was an attempt to find an equaliser, but it was not to be. Coventry’s substitutions, including the introduction of Ellis Simms, ultimately paid off.

Stoke City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Viktor Johansson in goal and a back four of Junior Tchamadeu, Ashley Phillips, Ben Wilmot, and Aaron Cresswell. The midfield was anchored by Lewis Baker and Ben Pearson, with Million Manhoef, Jun-ho Bae, and Sorba Thomas supporting striker Divin Mubama. Despite the solid structure, Stoke struggled to break down Coventry’s defence, and the formation did not yield the desired result, as they failed to score.

Coventry City deployed a 4-4-2 formation, with Carl Rushworth between the posts and a defensive line of Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching, and Jay Dasilva. The midfield quartet of Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Victor Torp, Matt Grimes, and Ephron Mason-Clark provided support to the attacking duo of Brandon Thomas-Asante and Haji Wright. This setup allowed Coventry to maintain control and ultimately secure the win with a late goal from Mason-Clark.

Ephron Mason-Clark was named Coral’s Man of the Match for his decisive impact on the game. Mason-Clark scored the winning goal in the 86th minute, showcasing his ability to make a difference in crucial moments. His contribution was vital in securing the victory for Coventry City, and his performance underlined his importance to the team.

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Coventry City (H)

• Win: 3-0 vs Oxford United (A)

• Win: 5-1 vs Bristol City (H)

• Win: 1-0 vs Portsmouth (A)

• Loss: 0-2 vs Millwall (A)

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Stoke City (A)

• Win: 3-1 vs Sheffield United (H)

• Loss: 2-3 vs Wrexham (A)

• Win: 3-1 vs Watford (H)

• Win: 2-1 vs Portsmouth (A)

Currently in 3rd place with 27 points, Stoke City will face 12th-placed Leicester City, who have 21 points, on November 22, 2025 at 15:00.

Sitting at the top of the league with 34 points, Coventry City’s next match is against 14th-placed West Bromwich Albion, who have 21 points, on November 22, 2025 at 12:30.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.