Stoke City 3-1 Derby County: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into game week one Coral’s post-match review of Stoke City 3-1 Derby County in the Championship on Saturday, 09 August 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Stoke City secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Derby County at home, a result that might not have been anticipated given their recent form. The Potters had suffered heavy defeats in their last three Championship outings before this match, including a 6-0 thrashing by Leeds United. However, they managed to turn the tide with a strong performance, particularly in the latter stages of the game. Lewis Baker opened the scoring in the 70th minute, and late goals from Divin Mubama and Sorba Thomas in stoppage time sealed the win, showcasing Stoke's resilience and ability to capitalise on crucial moments.

Derby County, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance, especially after holding Stoke to a goalless draw in their previous encounter. Despite taking the lead through Carlton Morris in the 60th minute, Derby couldn't hold on as Stoke mounted a comeback. The Rams had been in decent form prior to this match, with two wins and two draws in their last four games. This loss breaks their unbeaten run and highlights the need for better defensive solidity in the closing stages of matches.

The statistics from the match reflect Stoke City's dominance, particularly in possession, with 68% compared to Derby's 32%. This control allowed Stoke to create more scoring opportunities, evidenced by their seven corners compared to Derby's three. The Potters also managed two assists, indicating effective teamwork in the final third. However, Derby's higher successful dribble percentage (17% to Stoke's 14%) suggests they had moments of individual brilliance, but it wasn't enough to secure a positive result.

The most striking statistic from the game is Stoke's two injury-time goals, which ultimately decided the match. This ability to score late in the game showcases their mental strength and determination. Despite Derby's two yellow cards compared to Stoke's one, the disciplinary record didn't play a significant role in the outcome. Overall, the statistics align well with the result, highlighting Stoke's control and clinical finishing in the crucial moments.

The turning point of the match came in the 70th minute when Lewis Baker scored for Stoke City, leveling the score after Derby had taken the lead through Carlton Morris in the 60th minute. This goal shifted the momentum in Stoke's favor and set the stage for their late comeback. The subsequent substitutions of Ashley Phillips and Jamie Donley in the 74th minute seemed to inject fresh energy into the team, contributing to their improved performance in the final stages.

The decisive moments came in stoppage time, with Divin Mubama and Sorba Thomas scoring in the 90+5th and 90+9th minutes, respectively. These late goals not only secured the victory for Stoke but also highlighted their ability to maintain pressure and capitalise on opportunities right until the final whistle. The yellow card shown to Ben Wilmot in the 78th minute was a minor blemish on an otherwise stellar performance by Stoke, who managed to keep their composure and secure a crucial win.

Stoke City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Viktor Johansson in goal and a back four of Junior Tchamadeu, Bosun Lawal, Ben Wilmot, and Aaron Cresswell. The midfield was anchored by Ben Pearson and Lewis Baker, with Million Manhoef, Jun-ho Bae, and Sorba Thomas supporting striker Divin Mubama. The lineup showed no major surprises, but the impact of the substitutions was significant, with Ashley Phillips and Jamie Donley coming on in the 74th minute and contributing to the team's late surge.

Sorba Thomas, in particular, stood out with his goal and assist, demonstrating his importance to the team's attacking play. The late introduction of Tatsuki Seko and Róbert Boženík further bolstered Stoke's efforts in the closing stages. Overall, the lineup and subsequent changes worked well, allowing Stoke to overcome an early deficit and secure a vital victory

Derby County opted for a 4-4-2 formation, with Jacob Widell Zetterström in goal and a backline of Ryan Nyambe, Danny Batth, Matt Clarke, and Craig Forsyth. The midfield consisted of Kayden Jackson, Kenzo Goudmijn, Liam Thompson, and Corey Blackett-Taylor, with Carlton Morris and Ebou Adams leading the attack. The lineup was fairly standard, but the team struggled to maintain their lead after Morris's goal in the 60th minute.

The substitutions of David Ozoh, Andreas Weimann, and Dion Sanderson were made in an attempt to shore up the defense and maintain the lead, but they were unable to prevent Stoke's late comeback. Liam Thompson and Kayden Jackson received yellow cards, indicating some disciplinary issues, but the real challenge for Derby was their inability to hold onto their lead. The lineup and formation didn't yield the desired result, highlighting areas for improvement in future matches.

Sorba Thomas is Coral’s Man of the Match, and his performance was pivotal in Stoke City's victory over Derby County. Thomas scored a crucial goal in the 90+9th minute and provided an assist, showcasing his ability to influence the game in the final third. Despite not creating any big chances, his two key passes were instrumental in maintaining Stoke's attacking momentum. Thomas's contribution was decisive in securing the three points for Stoke, making him a deserving recipient of the Man of the Match award.

Recent matches:

• Win: 3-1 vs Derby County (H) - Championship

Recent matches:

• Loss: 1-3 vs Stoke City (A) - Championship

Stoke City sit in 2nd place with 3 points after their 3-1 win over Derby County. They face Sheffield Wednesday, in 16th place with 0 points, on August 16, 2025, at 15:00. The victory, driven by goals from Tom Cannon, Lewis Baker, and Sam Gallagher, boosts their confidence, and they’ll aim to maintain their attacking momentum and defensive solidity to continue their strong start.

Derby County are in 23rd place with 0 points following their 3-1 loss to Stoke City. They take on Coventry, in 13th place with 1 point, on August 16, 2025, at 12:30. The defeat highlights the need to tighten their defence and improve attacking efficiency to secure their first points against a mid-table Coventry side.

Derby V Coventry GW2 Championship

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