3 – 1
“Million Manhoef opens the scoring with a stunning left-footed strike from outside the penalty area that finds the top left corner”
Pivotal“Million Manhoef doubles Stoke's advantage with his second goal of the match to put the hosts firmly in control”
Pivotal“Substitute Nestory Irankunda gives Watford hope with a quick response, scoring just four minutes after entering the match”
“Sam Gallagher restores Stoke's two-goal cushion with a late strike to seal the victory and crush Watford's comeback hopes”
Pivotal
Stoke City
Watford
Outstanding performance
Stoke City•MidfielderStoke City secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Watford at home, with Million Manhoef's double proving decisive in a match that saw the Potters take control early and never relinquish their grip. Manhoef opened the scoring on 28 minutes with a spectacular left-footed effort from outside the box that found the top corner, before adding a second on 77 minutes to effectively seal the points. Despite Nestory Irankunda's immediate response for Watford just four minutes after coming on as a substitute, Sam Gallagher's late strike restored Stoke's two-goal cushion. The match was notable for its physicality, with six yellow cards distributed throughout, including one for Watford goalkeeper Tommy Simkin for time-wasting as the visitors tried desperately to get back into the contest.
How entertaining was this match?
Missed opportunity! Stephen Mfuni from Watford heads the ball from the middle of the box following a corner, but it sails over the crossbar.
Corner awarded to Watford after Junior Tchamadeu allowed the ball to go out.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match is currently paused due to an injury to Tomás Rigo from Stoke City.
The attempt is denied. Imrân Louza from Watford takes a left-footed strike from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Edo Kayembe.
Another offensive effort underway. Ashley Phillips from Stoke City heads the ball from the middle of the penalty area, but it's successfully stopped by the goalkeeper.
Nampalys MendyYellow CardNampalys Mendy of Watford has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Million Manhoef of Stoke City has been awarded a free kick on the right side of the pitch.
Nampalys Mendy from Watford committed a foul.
Sorba ThomasYellow CardSorba Thomas from Stoke City has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
James Abankwah from Watford earned a free kick on the right side of the field.
Sorba Thomas committed a foul on a Stoke City player.
Missed opportunity! Stephen Mfuni from Watford had a header from close range that went wide. The cross came from Giorgi Chakvetadze following a corner kick.
Corner awarded to Watford after Maksym Talovierov allowed the ball to go out.
Corner awarded to Watford after Maksym Talovierov allowed the ball to go out.
A new offensive play unfolds as Edo Kayembe from Watford takes a left-footed shot from a challenging angle and long range on the left side, but it's successfully stopped by the goalkeeper.
The second half is underway with the score at Stoke City 1, Watford 0.
The first half has concluded with Stoke City leading Watford 1-0.
Missed opportunity! Maksym Talovierov from Stoke City fired a left-footed shot from just a few meters out, but it went narrowly wide to the left. The assist came from Sorba Thomas, who delivered a cross following a corner kick.
The attempt is denied. Tomás Rigo from Stoke City fires a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's intercepted.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be one minute of stoppage time.
Corner kick awarded to Stoke City after a foul by James Abankwah.
Corner awarded to Stoke City after James Abankwah allowed the ball to go out of play.
Tomás Rigo from Stoke City has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Imrân Louza from Watford committed a foul.
Giorgi Chakvetadze from Watford earned a free kick on the left side of the pitch.
Foul committed by Million Manhoef of Stoke City.
Nampalys Mendy of Watford earned a free kick on the left side of the field.
Nampalys Mendy from Watford was awarded a free kick on the left side of the field.
Offside call against Stoke City. Eric-Junior Bocat has been flagged for being offside.
Giorgi Chakvetadze from Watford committed a foul.
Junior Tchamadeu from Stoke City has been awarded a free kick in an offensive position.
A new offensive effort unfolds as Tomás Rigo from Stoke City takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area. The attempt is expertly saved by Egil Selvik of Watford, who manages to reach the ball at the top center of the goal. The assist comes from Junior Tchamadeu.
Tom Ince from Watford committed a foul.
Eric-Junior Bocat from Stoke City has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Nampalys Mendy from Watford committed a foul.
Bae Jun-Ho from Stoke City earned a free kick in the defensive area.
The attempt is thwarted. Imrân Louza from Watford fires a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Stephen Mfuni.
assist: Milan Smit
Goal! Stoke City takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Watford. Million Manhoef scores with a left-footed shot from the center of the box, sending the ball into the top left corner of the net. The assist comes from Milan Smit.
A fresh offensive effort unfolds as Million Manhoef from Stoke City takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area. However, Egil Selvik, the Watford goalkeeper, makes a save right in the middle of the goal. The assist came from Bae Jun-Ho.
Corner awarded to Stoke City after Egil Selvik allowed the ball to go out.
Corner awarded to Stoke City after a play that resulted in Egil Selvik giving up possession.
Saba Goglichidze from Watford has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Sorba Thomas committed a foul on a player from Stoke City.
Opportunity wasted. Imrân Louza from Watford took a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left. The assist came from James Abankwah after a quick counterattack.
Another offensive effort underway. Steven Nzonzi from Stoke City attempts a header from the middle of the penalty area, but it's successfully stopped.
Corner awarded to Stoke City after a deflection off Stephen Mfuni.
The attempt is thwarted. Giorgi Chakvetadze from Watford takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's successfully blocked.
Tomas RigoYellow CardTomás Rigo from Stoke City has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Giorgi Chakvetadze from Watford has been awarded a free kick in an attacking position.
Tomás Rigo from Stoke City committed a foul.
Another offensive push from Watford! Tom Ince takes a left-footed shot from the middle of the box, but it's expertly stopped by the goalkeeper, Tommy Simkin, who is positioned centrally. The assist came from Vivaldo Semedo.
Unsuccessful opportunity. Saba Goglichidze from Watford attempted a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area...
Ashley Phillips from Stoke City committed a foul.
Edo Kayembe from Watford earned a free kick on the right side of the field.
Giorgi Chakvetadze from Watford has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Foul committed by Million Manhoef from Stoke City.
Edo Kayembe from Watford committed a foul.
Eric-Junior Bocat of Stoke City has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Missed opportunity. Edo Kayembe from Watford takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it goes over the bar and to the right.
The attempt is thwarted. Tom Ince from Watford takes a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, but it's deflected away. The setup came from Marc Bola, who delivered a cross.
Vivaldo Semedo from Watford committed a foul.
Eric-Junior Bocat from Stoke City earned a free kick on the left side of the field.
Missed opportunity! Eric-Junior Bocat from Stoke City took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and wide to the left following a corner kick.
Stoke City has been awarded a corner kick after Saba Goglichidze allowed the ball to go out of play.
Corner awarded to Stoke City after a foul by Marc Bola.
The attempt is denied. Bae Jun-Ho from Stoke City fires a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it gets intercepted.
Sorba Thomas from Stoke City earned a free kick on the left side of the field.
James Abankwah from Watford committed a foul.
Attempt denied. Million Manhoef from Stoke City took a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it was blocked. The assist came from Milan Smit.
Maksym Talovierov from Stoke City has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Edo Kayembe from Watford committed a foul.
The opening half is underway...
