Stoke City Vs Oxford Utd: Rak-Sakyi Winner Restores Lead as Potters Put Another Dent in U's Survival Bid

The midweek clash ended 2-1 as Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s decisive second-half header completed Stoke City Vs Oxford Utd and delivered a crucial lift for the hosts. The 23-year-old loanee, who began the season in Turkey and is on loan from Crystal Palace, scored what has been recorded at both the 56th and 57th minute as his first Stoke City goal, a strike that eased pressure on the Potters and deepened Oxford’s relegation concerns.

Match timeline and key moments from Stoke City Vs Oxford Utd

The game featured sustained Stoke pressure in the opening period before a sequence of finishes and a late first-half equaliser. Tommy Simkin’s 12th-minute long pass picked out Million Manhoef, who fed Jesurun 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 target with a 20th-minute effort that flew wide, and Oxford’s first sight of goal came around the 25th minute when Will Lankshear shot from the edge of the area and Simkin gathered.

The deadlock was broken on 37 minutes when Manhoef played in Lamine Cisse, who converted past Jamie Cumming. Stoke’s lead lasted until the stroke of half-time when Will Vaulks chipped into the box to Stanley Mills; Mills headed across and Ciaron Brown volleyed home from eight yards to level.

Early in the second half Oxford nearly took the lead when Will Lankshear backheeled a powerful Cameron Brannagan free-kick against the crossbar around the 53rd minute. Three minutes later, or recorded shortly after, Rak-Sakyi was at the far post to head home following a delicate left-wing cross from Sorba Thomas — an assist noted as Thomas’s eighth of the campaign — restoring Stoke’s lead with what is variously recorded as the 56th or 57th-minute strike and counted as Rak-Sakyi’s first goal for the club.

Stoke could have extended their advantage 18 minutes from time when Cisse’s looping attempt was cleared away by Will Vaulks, and the match finished 2-1.

Goalscorers, records and match specifics

• Jesurun Rak-Sakyi: decisive header (marked at 56th and also noted at 57th minute in match accounts); first goal for Stoke; 23 years old; on loan from Crystal Palace; began the season in Turkey.
• Lamine Cisse: opened the scoring; his maiden league goal for the Potters and noted as coming at his 24th attempt.
• Ciaron Brown: equaliser at the stroke of half-time an eight-yard volley.
• Notable contributors: Tommy Simkin, Million Manhoef, Sorba Thomas (eight assists noted), Will Lankshear, Jamie Cumming, Eric Bocat, Cameron Brannagan, Will Vaulks, Stanley Mills, Tomas Rigo.

Consequences for Stoke: reprieve, form and standing

The win eased immediate pressure for Stoke, leaving them seven points shy of the play-off places. Match accounts note that the victory ended a seven-match winless league run, while a season preview and form analysis had described the Potters as winless in eight at one stage in their recent difficult spell. It is also recorded that the result was Stoke’s first home Championship success since December 13 and that the outcome completed a league double over relegation-threatened Oxford.

Context on Stoke’s broader form includes that the side had rescued a point with an 89th-minute equaliser against Leicester City at the weekend, had started the calendar year with three consecutive victories in all competitions, but then endured a run featuring four draws, defeats to sides below them, and an exit from the FA Cup. Saturday’s match was noted as the first time the Potters had scored in a league game for three matches and the first time they had scored more than once since their last Championship win at the start of January; both goals in that prior match came from captain Ben Wilmot, a centre-back with three goals all season.

Consequences for Oxford United and survival picture

Oxford’s situation was described in several strands: the U’s were left six points adrift of safety and West Brom were referenced in 21st place in one match account, while a separate form summary placed Oxford in 23rd with a season record of six wins, 11 draws and 16 defeats from 33 league outings. Managerial changes and inconsistency were cited as factors leaving Matt Bloomfield’s side fighting for survival.

Additional notes on Oxford’s struggles include a run of six winless matches following a goalless draw with Middlesbrough, and specific attacking struggles: the U’s kept clean sheets against Coventry City and Middlesbrough but failed to score in both fixtures. Their attacking unit was described as the worst in the division other than Sheffield Wednesday, who had been deducted 18 points and whose relegation was confirmed. The match also featured a moment where Will Lankshear struck the woodwork.

Team news, injuries and what comes next

Stoke appeared to have come away from their latest clash with no further injuries, though Mark Robins was noted as likely to consider changes to arrest the poor run of form. Viktor Johansson remains sidelined with a shoulder injury and has yet to play in 2026; Tommy Simkin resumed goalkeeping duties, while backup goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was also unavailable.

The two clubs met for the second time this season after the Potters had won 3-0 at the Kassam Stadium in November. Commentary across previews suggested time remains for Oxford to mount a recovery and that a run of fixtures against fellow strugglers could offer an opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone; the immediate reality after this result, however, left Stoke with respite and Oxford deeper in a fight for survival.