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

Dive into Ladbrokes’ 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.

Well, what a gritty performance from Stoke City, eh? They've gone and nicked a 1-0 win against Birmingham City at home, and it's a result that keeps their momentum going strong. After a bit of a hiccup against West Brom, they've bounced back with three wins on the trot, including this one. The match-winner was Bosun Lawal, who scored in the 21st minute, and that was all Stoke needed. Birmingham, on the other hand, are struggling to find their form, losing their third game in a row. It's a bit of a surprise they couldn't turn their possession into points, but Stoke's defence was solid as a rock.

Stoke's win wasn't just about the three points; it's about maintaining their position near the top of the table. They're showing they can grind out results even when not at their best. Birmingham had their chances, but Stoke's resilience and Lawal's early strike made all the difference. It's clear Stoke are building something special this season, while Birmingham need to regroup and find a way to turn their performances into wins.

Looking at the stats, you'd think Birmingham had the upper hand with 58% possession, but football's not just about keeping the ball, is it? Stoke made the most of their 42% with a crucial goal and a solid defensive display. They also edged out Birmingham in corners, 5 to 3, showing they were dangerous when it mattered. The yellow cards tell a story too, with Stoke picking up three to Birmingham's one, suggesting they were fighting hard to keep their lead.

It's interesting to see Stoke's successful dribbles at 44% compared to Birmingham's 36%. That extra bit of flair and determination might have been the difference. Despite Birmingham's possession, they couldn't convert it into goals or even many corners. Stoke's stats might not scream dominance, but they were effective where it counted, and that's what matters in the end.

The game's turning point came early when Bosun Lawal found the back of the net in the 21st minute. That goal set the tone for the rest of the match, giving Stoke the lead they'd hold onto. Birmingham tried to respond, but Stoke's defence was up to the task, and that early strike proved decisive.

As the game wore on, Stoke made some key substitutions to shore up their lead. Joon-Ho Bae came on in the 71st minute, and later, Tatsuki Seko and Eric Junior Bocat were introduced to help see out the win. Birmingham made a flurry of changes too, but it was too little, too late. The yellow cards for Stoke's players in the closing stages showed their determination to keep Birmingham at bay, and they did just that.

Stoke lined up with a solid 4-2-3-1, and it worked a treat. Bosun Lawal was the standout, not just for his goal but for his overall performance. The defence, led by Ben Wilmot, was rock-solid, and the midfield, with Ben Pearson and Tomas Rigo, kept things ticking over nicely. The substitutions, especially Joon-Ho Bae and Tatsuki Seko, helped maintain the momentum and secure the win.

No real surprises in the lineup, but the impact of the subs was crucial. Eric Junior Bocat and Lamine Cisse came on late to help see out the game, and their fresh legs made a difference. Stoke's manager got it spot on, and the team executed the plan perfectly.

Birmingham went with a 4-4-2, hoping to find a way through Stoke's defence. Despite having more possession, they couldn't break down Stoke's backline. The attacking duo of Jay Stansfield and Tommy Doyle had their moments, but it wasn't enough. The midfield, with Patrick Roberts and Tomoki Iwata, tried to control the game, but Stoke's resilience was too much.

The substitutions, including Bright Osayi-Samuel and Marvin Ducksch, were an attempt to change the game's flow, but it didn't quite work out. Osayi-Samuel picked up a late yellow card, showing the frustration in the Birmingham camp. Overall, the lineup was solid, but they needed more from their key players to turn possession into points.

Bosun Lawal is our Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match, and it's no surprise why. His goal in the 21st minute was the difference-maker, and he played a crucial role in Stoke's victory. With a goal to his name and a solid performance throughout, Lawal showed why he's a key player for Stoke this season.

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)

Sitting pretty in second place with 12 points, Stoke are in a great position as they head into their next match against Queens Park Rangers on September 20, 2025 at 11:30. QPR are mid-table with 7 points, so Stoke will be looking to keep their winning streak alive and maintain their push for the top spot. This result will give them confidence to keep playing their style and grinding out results.

With 7 points and sitting in 11th place, Birmingham need to regroup quickly before facing Swansea City on September 20, 2025 at 11:30. Swansea are just above them with 8 points, so it's a crucial game for Birmingham to turn their form around. They'll need to be more clinical in front of goal and find a way to convert possession into points.

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