Stoke City 1-2 Sheffield United: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Sheffield United beat Stoke City 2-1 at the bet365 Stadium. The first half ended goalless, with both sides probing but failing to find a breakthrough, as Stoke’s recent mixed form—including a draw with Preston and a loss to Watford—left them looking for rhythm at home. Sheffield United, coming off a win over Birmingham but a heavy defeat to Wrexham, stayed patient and struck first through Jaïro Riedewald in the 47th minute to take the lead.

The Blades doubled their advantage soon after when Tom Cannon scored in the 53rd minute, assisted by Harrison Burrows, putting them in control. Stoke responded with Ben Wilmot’s goal in the 65th minute to halve the deficit, but their push for an equaliser was hampered by Ben Pearson’s red card in the 88th minute following his introduction earlier. Sheffield United held firm to secure the points, building on their away win to climb the table, while Stoke’s form continues to stutter with back-to-back home setbacks.

Stoke City edged possession with 54% compared to Sheffield United’s 46%, suggesting they controlled more of the ball but struggled to convert it into clear chances, as shown by their higher count of six corners against the visitors’ two. Successful dribbles favoured Stoke at 56 to 36, indicating they were more effective in beating opponents one-on-one, yet this didn’t translate to assists, where Sheffield United recorded one and Stoke none. Disciplinary issues hit Stoke harder with one red card and no yellows, while Sheffield United picked up a single yellow, and both teams used all five substitutions, with Stoke making a triple change around the 58th minute to try shifting momentum.

Those substitutions for Stoke saw Jun-ho Bae replace Million Manhoef at 57’, followed by Róbert Boženík for Sam Gallagher, Lamine Cissé for Divin Mubama, and Ben Pearson for Steven N’Zonzi all at 58’, before Tomas Rigo came on for Tatsuki Seko at 74’. Sheffield United’s changes came later, with Oliver Arblaster for Djibril Soumaré, Patrick Bamford for Tyrese Campbell, and Tahith Chong for Andre Brooks all at 74’, then Mark McGuinness for Tom Cannon at 87’, and Alex Matos for Jaïro Riedewald in stoppage time at 90+5’.

The match turned decisively early in the second half when Jaïro Riedewald put Sheffield United ahead in the 47th minute, breaking the deadlock after a tight first period. Tom Cannon then extended the lead in the 53rd minute with a goal assisted by Harrison Burrows, giving the visitors a cushion that proved vital. Stoke pulled one back through Ben Wilmot in the 65th minute, but their hopes faded when Ben Pearson, who had come on at 58’ for Steven N’Zonzi, received a red card in the 88th minute, leaving them short-handed in the closing stages.

Sheffield United’s substitutions at 74’—Oliver Arblaster for Djibril Soumaré, Patrick Bamford for Tyrese Campbell, and Tahith Chong for Andre Brooks—helped them manage the game, while later changes like Mark McGuinness for Tom Cannon at 87’ and Alex Matos for Jaïro Riedewald at 90+5’ shored up the defence. Stoke’s earlier triple substitution around 58’ aimed to inject energy, with Róbert Boženík replacing Sam Gallagher, Lamine Cissé for Divin Mubama, and Ben Pearson for Steven N’Zonzi, but it couldn’t prevent the defeat. Femi Seriki’s yellow card for Sheffield United in the 76th minute was a minor note in an otherwise composed performance.

Stoke City lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Ben Wilmot proving key at the back by scoring their only goal, while partnerships in midfield like Tatsuki Seko, who was later replaced by Tomas Rigo, aimed to control the game. Up front, Sam Gallagher and Divin Mubama started but made way for Róbert Boženík and Lamine Cissé respectively in the 58th minute, as the team sought more threat. Million Manhoef featured on the wing before Jun-ho Bae took his place at 57’, and Steven N’Zonzi held the midfield until Ben Pearson came on at 58’, though Pearson’s later red card disrupted the setup.

Sheffield United set up in a 4-4-2 shape, with Jaïro Riedewald standing out in midfield by scoring the opener before being substituted by Alex Matos in stoppage time, and Tom Cannon leading the line with his goal until Mark McGuinness replaced him late at 87’. Harrison Burrows provided the assist for Cannon’s strike, highlighting effective wide play, while Andre Brooks and Djibril Soumaré started in midfield before Tahith Chong and Oliver Arblaster came on at 74’. Tyrese Campbell partnered up front until Patrick Bamford took over at 74’, and Femi Seriki picked up a yellow card in defence during the second half.

Jaïro Riedewald earned Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match award for his pivotal role in Sheffield United’s victory, netting one goal in the 47th minute to break the deadlock and set the tone for the second half. Though he didn’t record any assists, big chances created, or key passes in the stats, his overall contribution in midfield was crucial in shifting momentum. Riedewald stayed on until being replaced by Alex Matos in stoppage time at 90+5’, underlining his endurance in a hard-fought away win.

Recent Championship matches:

• Loss: 1-2 vs Sheffield United (H)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Preston North End (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Watford (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Swansea City (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Ipswich Town (A)

Recent Championship matches:

• Win: 2-1 vs Stoke City (A)
• Loss: 3-5 vs Wrexham (A)
• Win: 3-0 vs Birmingham City (H)
• Loss: 0-2 vs West Bromwich Albion (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Norwich City (H)

Stoke City have just lost 1-2 at home to Sheffield United, leaving them in 10th place on 34 points and keen to bounce back from a run that includes a draw with Preston and defeats to Watford and Ipswich. Their next fixture is against Hull City on 1 January 2026 at 15:00, with Hull currently fourth on 41 points and pushing for promotion spots. A win could help Stoke close the gap on the top six and steady their mid-table position after recent inconsistencies.

Sheffield United have just won 2-1 away at Stoke City, boosting them to 17th on 29 points following a mixed spell with a heavy loss to Wrexham but wins over Birmingham and now Stoke. They face Leicester City next on 1 January 2026 at 17:30, with Leicester in 12th on 34 points and looking to climb. Three points here would aid Sheffield United in pulling clear of the lower reaches, building on their recent away success and a draw with Norwich.

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