Stoke City Vs Oxford Utd — Rak-Sakyi header hands Potters a 2-1 win and deepens Oxford’s relegation fight
The midweek match billed as stoke city vs oxford utd ended 2-1 as Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s second-half header restored Stoke’s lead and gave the hosts breathing space in a season where both clubs have been under pressure.
Rak-Sakyi’s header settles a tight game at the bet365 Stadium
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, a 23-year-old on loan from Crystal Palace who began the season in Turkey, scored his first Stoke City goal to win the game with a header in the second half. Lamine Cisse had put the hosts ahead after a swift move that saw Million Manhoef play in Cisse, who converted past Jamie Cumming, and Ciaron Brown volleyed Oxford level on the stroke of half-time from about eight yards after Stanley Mills’ headed flick from a Will Vaulks ball into the box.
Stoke dominated early phases and created the first clear openings
Tommy Simkin released a 12th-minute pass through the middle to Million Manhoef, who fed Rak-Sakyi; Rak-Sakyi fired a low shot that Jamie Cumming saved. Five minutes later Cumming denied Eric Bocat’s low drive. Sorba Thomas tested the goalkeeper again with a 20th-minute shot that flew wide, and Will Lankshear produced the visitors’ first sight of goal around the 25th minute when his shot from the edge was gathered by Simkin.
Stoke City Vs Oxford Utd: key moments and set-piece failings
The opening goal arrived on 37 minutes when Manhoef’s movement set up Lamine Cisse, who beat Cumming from distance; Sky’s match coverage noted it was Cisse’s maiden league goal for Stoke at his 24th attempt. The visitors struck back on the cusp of half-time when Vaulks chipped into the box, Mills headed across and Ciaron Brown volleyed home. Oxford then struck the woodwork in the second half when Will Lankshear backheeled Cameron Brannagan’s free-kick against the crossbar, but Rak-Sakyi was at the far post to head in a Sorba Thomas left-wing cross to regain the lead.
What the win and the wider formlines mean now
Stoke’s win eased some pressure on a side that had been drawn into a relegation scrap; the result left them seven points shy of the play-off places. The victory also brought a first home Championship success since December 13 and completed the league double over Oxford. One account framed the win as ending a seven-match winless league run, while another preview had described Stoke as winless in eight before the match.
Oxford’s precarious position and recent form
Oxford’s flagging survival bid took another blow. The match report noted the result further damaged their hopes, saying they find themselves six points adrift of safety and West Brom in 21st place. A preview by Calum Burrowes on 23 Feb 2026 at 13: 17, updated 17: 45, had warned that Oxford’s inconsistency and managerial changes left them fighting for survival, placing the U’s 23rd after six wins, 11 draws and 16 defeats from 33 league outings. That same preview also highlighted Oxford’s recent clean sheets against top-of-table Coventry City and second-placed Middlesbrough, but noted they failed to score in both fixtures.
Manager reaction, squad context and outstanding absences
Stoke manager Mark Robins praised the performance and the supporters, saying he was immensely pleased with parts of the display and the result and that the crowd helped get the result over the line. He added that breaking down a low or mid block was difficult, that the team “got the balance almost spot on, ” and that his only disappointment was the defending from set-plays which allowed Oxford back into the game when Stoke should have been one, two or three up. The preview also noted squad issues: Viktor Johansson remains sidelined with a shoulder injury so Tommy Simkin resumed in goal, and backup goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was unavailable.
Earlier in the season Stoke had started the calendar year with three consecutive victories in all competitions but then suffered a dip: during a difficult run they drew four times, lost to sides below them and exited the FA Cup. That preview also pointed out that a centre-back, Ben Wilmot, had supplied both goals in a recent league draw with an 89th-minute equaliser for Stoke. The fixture at the bet365 Stadium was the second meeting of the season between the parties after Stoke won 3-0 at the Kassam Stadium in November.
Sheffield Wednesday were noted in the broader table context as having been deducted 18 points and having their relegation confirmed.
Stoke now return to the league schedule; Oxford will look to arrest a slide that the match report described as increasingly perilous. The next confirmed event for both sides is their continuing Championship programmes as the season approaches its decisive run of fixtures.
