Stoke City Vs Oxford Utd — stoke city vs oxford utd: Rak-Sakyi header seals 2-1 win
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s second-half header secured a 2-1 victory for Stoke, a result that further harms Oxford United’s Championship survival hopes in a game defined by a 37th-minute opener and a dramatic equaliser on the stroke of half-time. The stoke city vs oxford utd fixture produced a tense sequence of chances and a late decisive touch that eased pressure on the Potters.
Match timeline and goals
The first goal arrived on 37 minutes when Million Manhoef drove a swift move and played in Lamine Cisse, who converted past Jamie Cumming from around 18 yards; one report noted it as the Frenchman’s maiden league goal for the Potters, achieved at the 24th attempt. Oxford were pegged back on the stroke of half-time: Will Vaulks chipped into the box, Stanley Mills headed across the face of goal and Ciaron Brown volleyed home from eight yards to make it 1-1.
Early in the second half the visitors came closest to a second when Will Lankshear backheeled a powerful Cameron Brannagan free-kick against the Stoke crossbar on 53 minutes. Just three minutes later, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi restored the lead; one account records the winner arriving in the 56th minute, another notes Rak-Sakyi converting Sorba Thomas’ cross after 57 minutes with a header at the far post.
Key chances and build-up
Stoke dominated large spells. Tommy Simkin’s long clearance in the 12th minute picked out Million Manhoef, who squared for Rak-Sakyi; Rak-Sakyi fired a low shot at Jamie Cumming. Cumming was called into action again shortly after when he denied Eric Bocat’s low drive. Sorba Thomas tested his luck with a 20th-minute effort that flew wide of the post. Oxford’s first sight of goal came on 25 minutes when Will Lankshear shot from the edge of the area and Simkin gathered.
There were further near-misses late in the match: Lamine Cisse saw a looping attempt cleared away by Will Vaulks 18 minutes from full-time, and Stanley Mills had earlier fired wide after a powerful run.
Player details and backgrounds
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, the 23-year-old on loan from Crystal Palace who began the season in Turkey and previously played for Charlton and Sheffield United, hit what was described as his first Stoke City goal in one briefing and his second-half header in another. Sorba Thomas provided the cross for the winner, noted as his eighth assist of the campaign. Lamine Cisse scored for the hosts, Million Manhoef featured heavily in the build-up, and Will Lankshear, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, tested the woodwork for Matt Bloomfield’s side.
Manager reaction and quotes
Stoke City manager Mark Robins praised the performance and the supporters: "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. " On tactics and difficulty breaking down a defensive setup he said: "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. " He added a note of frustration about defending set-plays: "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. "
Standings and wider context
The victory eased some pressure on Stoke, with one summary noting the Potters were seven points shy of the play-off places. Oxford’s position worsened: they were described as six points adrift of safety and West Brom in 21st place in one account, and as relegation-threatened in another. The result completed a league double for Stoke over Oxford, and it ended a seven-match winless league run for Stoke in one version of the match report while other coverage stated Mark Robins’ side had been winless in eight prior to that result.
Additional context from the build-up mentioned that Stoke had earlier rescued a point with an 89th-minute equaliser against Leicester City, with both goals in that game coming from captain Ben Wilmot, a centre-back who had three goals all season. A preview note carried a byline for Calum Burrowes dated 23 Feb 2026 13: 17 and last updated 23 Feb 2026 17: 45. It also stated Stoke's recent form included three consecutive wins at the start of the calendar year before their poor run and that seven points separated Stoke from sixth-placed Wrexham with 13 matches remaining.
Squad and injury notes
Squad details ahead of the match noted that Stoke appeared to have come away from their latest clash with no further injuries, but that first-choice goalkeeper Viktor Johansson remained on the sidelines with a shoulder injury and had yet to play in 2026; Tommy Simkin had resumed in goal and backup goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was also unavailable. Oxford’s recent record was listed as six wins, 11 draws and 16 defeats from 33 league outings, leaving them 23rd. The preview also mentioned Oxford had kept clean sheets against Coventry City and Middlesbrough but had failed to score in those fixtures. Sheffield Wednesday were referenced as having been deducted 18 points and having their relegation confirmed.
Stoke’s 2-1 win over Oxford combined match events, individual milestones and wider league implications into a narrow but consequential result for both clubs as the season moves toward its final stages.
