Match report

Middlesbrough Defeats Stoke City 2-1 in Championship Clash

Stoke City
Stoke City
1–2
FT
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Jan 21, 2026

Middlesbrough staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Stoke City 2-1 in an intense Championship encounter. Despite falling behind early on through T. Rigo's goal for Stoke, Middlesbrough rallied with crucial strikes from A. Browne and T. Conway. The match was marred by red card controversy as Bosun Lawal saw red late in the game.

Key Facts

  • • Stoke City took the lead through T. Rigo's goal at 15 minutes.
  • • A. Browne equalized for Middlesbrough with a strike at 48 minutes.
  • • T. Conway scored the winner for Middlesbrough at 59 minutes.
  • • Bosun Lawal was sent off in the 77th minute, reducing Stoke City to ten men.

Lineups

Stoke City

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 25 T. Simkin (G)
  • 40 M. Talovierov (D)
  • 26 A. Phillips (D)
  • 16 B. Wilmot (D)
  • 18 B. Lawal
  • 19 T. Rigo (M)
  • 4 B. Pearson (M)
  • 42 M. Manhoef (M)
  • 10 J. Bae (M)
  • 7 S. Thomas (M)
  • 29 L. Cisse (F)

Substitutes

  • 17 E. Bocat
  • 3 A. Cresswell
  • 47 J. Griffin
  • 34 F. Fielding
  • 41 J. Dixon
  • 15 S. N'Zonzi
  • 55 R. Curley
  • 12 T. Seko
  • 56 F. Fawunmi

Middlesbrough

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 31 S. Brynn (G)
  • 16 A. Browne (D)
  • 12 L. Ayling (D)
  • 29 A. Malanda (D)
  • 3 M. Targett (D)
  • 7 H. Hackney (M)
  • 18 A. Morris (M)
  • 22 S. Silvera (M)
  • 11 M. Whittaker (M)
  • 14 A. Gilbert (M)
  • 9 T. Conway (F)

Substitutes

  • 33 J. McLaughlin
  • 6 D. Fry
  • 10 D. Burgzorg
  • 15 F. Munroe
  • 19 S. Nypan
  • 23 L. Castledine
  • 27 S. Hansen
  • 28 L. McCabe
  • 44 C. Ibeh

Timeline

  1. Stoke City
    15' Stoke City Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Rigo · Assist: L. Cisse
  2. Stoke City
    45'+2 Stoke City Card · Yellow Card
    Bosun Lawal

    Foul

  3. Middlesbrough
    46' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Gilbert · On: D. Burgzorg
  4. Middlesbrough
    46' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Samuel Silvera · On: L. Castledine
  5. Middlesbrough
    48' Middlesbrough Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Browne · Assist: M. Whittaker
  6. Middlesbrough
    52' Middlesbrough Card · Yellow Card
    Luke Ayling

    Foul

  7. Middlesbrough
    59' Middlesbrough Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Conway · Assist: A. Browne
  8. Stoke City
    66' Stoke City Card · Yellow Card
    B. Pearson

    Foul

  9. Stoke City
    67' Stoke City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Manhoef · On: T. Seko
  10. Stoke City
    75' Stoke City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: B. Pearson · On: E. Bocat
  11. Stoke City
    77' Stoke City Card · Yellow Card
    Bosun Lawal

    Foul

  12. Stoke City
    77' Stoke City Card · Red Card
    Bosun Lawal

    Foul

  13. Middlesbrough
    79' Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Whittaker · On: S. Nypan
  14. Middlesbrough
    90'+2 Middlesbrough subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Conway · On: D. Fry

Match Stats

Stat Stoke City Middlesbrough
Fouls 11 10
Pass Accuracy 77% 84%
Offsides 2 4
Red Cards 1 0
Total Shots 10 16
Corners 5 4
Total Passes 332 497
Yellow Cards 3 1
Blocked Shots 2 5
Shots on Target 4 7
xG 0.81 1.22
Shots off Target 4 4
Possession 40% 60%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 256 416
Shots Inside Box 7 8
Saves 5 3
Shots Outside Box 3 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Stoke's early goal set a cautious tone but Middlesbrough's equalizer at halftime signaled their intent.
  • ▸ T. Conway’s decisive strike in the second half secured Middlesbrough's victory, despite Stoke City playing with ten men for nearly 15 minutes.