Stoke City 3-0 Charlton Athletic: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Ladbrokes’ post-match review of Stoke City 3-0 Charlton Athletic in the Championship on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Stoke City dominated from the outset in this Championship clash, racing into a quick lead with Sorba Thomas opening the scoring in the 3rd minute, assisted by Eric Bocat, followed swiftly by Million Manhoef’s goal in the 5th, set up by Thomas.

Thomas added his second in the 34th minute with an assist from Junho Bae, effectively sealing the game before half-time as Stoke controlled possession and created numerous opportunities. Charlton Athletic struggled to respond, with their yellow card to Conor Coventry in the 31st minute highlighting early frustrations, though they managed some possession without threatening.

The second half saw Stoke maintain their grip, Ashley Phillips picking up a yellow in the 51st, while both sides made multiple substitutions to manage fatigue and chase changes. Charlton brought on fresh legs around the hour mark, but it did little to alter the flow as Stoke’s defence held firm for a clean sheet. The match ended 3-0, with Stoke’s early blitz proving decisive in a one-sided affair.

Stoke City’s 65% possession underlined their control throughout the match, allowing them to dictate the tempo and build attacks comfortably, while Charlton’s 35% reflected their defensive posture and inability to sustain pressure. With five corners to none, Stoke generated far more set-piece threats, aligning with their dominance in creating chances that led to the three goals.

Both teams received one yellow card each, suggesting a relatively disciplined encounter despite the scoreline, and each used all five substitutions, with Stoke making tactical tweaks to preserve their lead and Charlton attempting to inject energy into a faltering performance.

These numbers paint a picture of Stoke’s comprehensive superiority, where high possession translated into early goals, and Charlton’s lack of corners highlighted their failure to test the hosts' defence.

The match burst into life early with Sorba Thomas scoring Stoke’s first in the 3rd minute, assisted by Eric Bocat, followed just two minutes later by Million Manhoef’s finish from Thomas’s assist, putting the hosts firmly in command. Thomas completed his brace in the 34th minute, assisted by Junho Bae, capping a first half where Stoke overwhelmed Charlton. The Addicks' Conor Coventry picked up a yellow card in the 31st minute, adding to their woes before the break.

Stoke made their first substitution in stoppage time of the first half, with Ben Wilmot replaced by Bala Mumuni Lawal at 45+3’, and Ashley Phillips earned a yellow in the 51st. Charlton responded with changes around the 60th minute, bringing on players like Harvey Knibbs and Josh Rankin-Costello, but it couldn’t spark a comeback. Late subs for both sides, including Stoke’s introductions of Lamine Cisse and Sam Gallagher in the 78th, rounded out a game decided by the early goals.

Stoke City lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation that emphasised attacking width and midfield control, allowing players like Sorba Thomas and Million Manhoef to exploit spaces effectively and contribute to the early goals. This setup facilitated their 65% possession, with the double pivot providing stability to launch forward moves.

Substitutions, such as Ben Wilmot off for Bala Mumuni Lawal at half-time and later changes like Lamine Cisse for Manhoef, helped maintain energy levels without disrupting the shape, ensuring defensive solidity for the clean sheet.

Charlton Athletic deployed a 3-1-4-2 system aimed at defensive resilience and counter-attacking potential, but it struggled against Stoke’s possession dominance, leaving them with just 35% of the ball and no corners.

The midfield four offered some width but failed to create meaningful threats. Substitutions from the 60th minute, including Harvey Knibbs for Greg Docherty and others like Thierry Olaofe for Conor Coventry, attempted to add attacking impetus, but the structure couldn’t recover from the early deficit, leading to a toothless display.

Sorba Thomas earned Man of the Match honours for Stoke City with a standout performance, netting two goals and providing one assist in 79 minutes. He also delivered three key passes, though created no big chances, proving pivotal in dismantling Charlton’s defence early on.

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 3-0 vs Charlton Athletic (H)
• Loss: 1-2 vs Leicester City (A)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Coventry City (H)
• Win: 3-0 vs Oxford United (A)
• Win: 5-1 vs Bristol City (H)

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 0-3 vs Stoke City (A)
• Loss: 1-5 vs Southampton (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Wrexham (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs West Bromwich Albion (H)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Swansea City (H)

Stoke City head into their next Championship fixture against Hull City on 29 November at 12:30 with momentum from this convincing 3-0 win, sitting second with 30 points and boosted by Sorba Thomas’s form. The clean sheet and early scoring suggest high confidence, potentially pressuring a Hull side they could dominate if replicating this possession-based approach.

Charlton Athletic, currently 14th with 23 points, face Coventry City on 29 November at 15:00, needing to regroup after this 3-0 defeat exposed defensive frailties and a lack of attacking threat. The heavy loss might dent morale, but fresh substitutions in this game showed intent to adapt, which they hope will translate into a stronger showing against mid-table opposition.

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