Stoke City Vs Oxford Utd: Rak-Sakyi header hands Potters a 2-1 victory
stoke city vs oxford utd ended in a 2-1 win for the Potters as Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s second-half header proved decisive, a result that eases pressure on Stoke while deepening Oxford United’s survival problems.
Stoke secure narrow win at the bet365 Stadium with Rak-Sakyi strike
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi restored Stoke’s lead early in the second half, with his header credited as the match-winner in one account at the 56th minute and recorded after 57 minutes in another. Lamine Cisse had opened the scoring for the hosts before Ciaron Brown volleyed Oxford level on the stroke of half-time. The final score was 2-1 to Stoke, completing a league double over relegation-threatened Oxford at the bet365 Stadium.
Key moments: Simkin’s long pass, Cisse’s maiden, Brown’s equaliser
Tommy Simkin sparked the move that almost produced an early lead when his 12th-minute pass through the middle found Million Manhoef, who in turn created a shooting chance for Rak-Sakyi that Jamie Cumming saved. Five minutes later the Oxford goalkeeper denied Eric Bocat’s low drive. Sorba Thomas tested the target with a 20th-minute effort that flew wide, and Will Lankshear produced Oxford’s first sight of goal in the 25th minute with a shot gathered by Simkin.
The deadlock broke on 37 minutes when Manhoef played in Lamine Cisse, who converted past Cumming; one account describes that strike as Cisse’s maiden league goal for Stoke at his 24th attempt. On the stroke of half-time Will Vaulks chipped into the box to Stanley Mills, who headed across for Ciaron Brown to volley home from around eight yards.
Rak-Sakyi’s loan status, background and the decisive cross
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, the 23-year-old on loan from Crystal Palace who began the season in Turkey, scored his first Stoke City goal when he met a delicate left-wing cross from Sorba Thomas at the far post. The assist was Thomas’s eighth of the campaign. One account notes that Rak-Sakyi converted Thomas’s delivery after 57 minutes; another lists the winner in the 56th minute.
Stoke’s form, league position and turnaround in results
The victory halted a damaging run: one summary records that Rak-Sakyi’s header ended a seven-match winless league run for Stoke, while a separate preview noted the Potters had been winless in eight and that they had started the calendar year with three consecutive victories in all competitions. Stoke now sit seven points shy of the play-off places. The win was described as Stoke’s first home Championship success since December 13 and completed a season double over Oxford.
Recent difficulties have included four draws during the poor run, defeats to sides below them and an exit from the FA Cup. In the weekend before this match Stoke had rescued a point with an 89th-minute equaliser against Leicester; that game saw both goals come from captain Ben Wilmot, a centre-back described as having three goals all season. It was also noted that Saturday was the first time Stoke had scored in a league game for three matches and their first time scoring more than once since their last Championship win at the start of January.
Oxford’s struggle: table position, form and missed chances
Oxford United remain in a perilous position. They are described as six points adrift of safety and with West Brom in 21st place, and elsewhere as sitting 23rd with six wins, 11 draws and 16 defeats from 33 league outings. Matt Bloomfield’s side went close to a second in this match when Will Lankshear backheeled a Cameron Brannagan free-kick against the Stoke crossbar on 53 minutes, and Lankshear had other efforts, including the 25th-minute chance gathered by Simkin and a powerful run that saw Stanley Mills fire wide. The club have also kept clean sheets against Coventry City and Middlesbrough but failed to score in those fixtures. Sheffield Wednesday were deducted 18 points and have had relegation confirmed, a separate development noted in the season overview.
Injuries, selections and immediate reaction from Mark Robins
Stoke appeared to come away from their latest clash with no further injuries, though Viktor Johansson remains sidelined with a shoulder injury and has yet to play in 2026; Tommy Simkin resumed in goal and backup goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is unavailable. Stoke manager Mark Robins said: "I'm pleased with some of the performance and the result, immensely. I am pleased with the way the supporters stuck by us and helped us get that result over the line. " He added: "When there is an opponent sat in front of you with a low block or a mid block then it is really difficult to break down. We knew we had to play in a certain way, and I thought we got the balance almost spot on. " Robins also voiced frustration at set-piece defending: "The only disappointment for me was the defending on the set-play and we allowed them back into the game when we should have been one, two or three up by that stage. "
