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

Dive into Ladbrokes' post-match review of Portsmouth 0-1 Stoke City in the Championship on Saturday, 25 October 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Well, that was a tough one for Portsmouth at home, wasn't it? They've now lost back-to-back games after a 0-1 defeat to Stoke City, which adds to their recent woes following a 1-2 loss to Coventry City. Despite having a decent run with a win and two draws in their last four matches before this, they couldn't find the net today. Stoke, on the other hand, bounced back nicely from their loss to Millwall, showing they've still got the grit to grind out results away from home.

The result might not have been a total shock, given Portsmouth's recent form, but it's still a blow. They had chances, but it was an own goal in the 70th minute that sealed the deal for Stoke. It's a bitter pill to swallow for the home fans, especially as they've been struggling to string together wins. Stoke, meanwhile, will be chuffed to extend their positive run and keep climbing the table.

Looking at the stats, it's a bit of a head-scratcher how Portsmouth didn't manage to nick a point. They had 49% possession, just shy of Stoke's 51%, and racked up six corners to Stoke's two. Their dribbling was on point too, with a 67% success rate compared to Stoke's 50%. Despite these figures, it was Stoke who came away with the win, showing that sometimes it's not just about the numbers.

The card count was a bit higher for Stoke with three yellows to Portsmouth's two, but it didn't seem to affect their game plan. Both teams made a fair number of substitutions, with Portsmouth making four and Stoke three, suggesting both managers were trying to shake things up. Overall, the stats suggest Portsmouth were in the game, but it just wasn't their day.

The turning point of the match came in the 70th minute when an own goal handed Stoke the lead. It's a cruel way to lose a game, especially at home, but that's football for you. The own goal was the only real moment of note in terms of scoring, and it proved decisive.

There were no other significant moments listed, which might suggest a fairly even game until that unfortunate own goal. It's a reminder that sometimes, it's the smallest of margins that decide a match. For Portsmouth, it's back to the drawing board to figure out how to avoid these costly mistakes.

Portsmouth lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Josef Bursik in goal and a back four of Jordan Williams, Hayden Matthews, Regan Poole, and Connor Ogilvie. In midfield, Marlon Pack and Andre Dozzell anchored the team, with Conor Chaplin, Colby Bishop, Minhyeok Yang, and Makenzie Kirk up front. No real surprises in the lineup, but the four substitutions made during the game suggest manager John Mousinho was looking for a spark.

Despite the effort, no one really stood out in a positive way for Portsmouth. The own goal was the defining moment, and it's hard to pin that on any individual. The team will need to regroup and find a way to turn their performances into points.

Stoke City went with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Viktor Johansson between the sticks and a backline of Maksym Taloverov, Ashley Phillips, Ben Wilmot, and Aaron Cresswell. Lewis Baker and Ben Pearson held the midfield, while Million Manhoef, Jun-ho Bae, Sorba Thomas, and Divin Mubama led the attack. The lineup was solid, and the three substitutions made during the game helped maintain their momentum.

Viktor Johansson had a strong game in goal, and the defence did well to keep a clean sheet. The own goal was a bit of luck, but you make your own luck in football, and Stoke capitalised on it. They'll be pleased with the performance and the result.

Viktor Johansson is Ladbrokes' Man of the Match, and it's easy to see why. He made three crucial saves, keeping a clean sheet with zero goals conceded. His two clearances and one punch were vital in maintaining Stoke's lead after the own goal. A solid performance from the keeper, who was instrumental in securing the three points.

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Stoke City (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Coventry City (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Leicester City (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs Middlesbrough (H)
• Draw: 2-2 vs Watford (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Portsmouth (A)
• Loss: 0-2 vs Millwall (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs Wrexham (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Blackburn Rovers (A)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Middlesbrough (A)

Sitting in 18th place with 13 points, Portsmouth will need to regroup quickly before facing Birmingham City, who are in 15th with 15 points, on November 01, 2025 at 15:00. This result might push them to be more aggressive in their approach, as they look to climb the table and avoid the relegation zone.

With a solid 5th place and 21 points, Stoke City are in a good position as they prepare to take on Bristol City, who are just one spot and one point ahead, on November 01, 2025 at 15:00. This win will boost their confidence, and they'll likely look to maintain their momentum and push for a top spot in the league.

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