Stoke City Battles Back to Earn Draw Against Blackburn

Blackburn midfielder Adam Forshaw scored his first goal since February 2025, giving his team the lead in the 21st minute, but Stoke City equalized in the 56th minute with a goal from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. The match ended 1-1, with Stoke finishing with 10 men after Ash Phillips was sent off. Forshaw's goal was his third in a decade and only his second since April 2016. Despite being down, Stoke showed resilience and managed to level the score. The draw brings Blackburn four points above the relegation zone, while Stoke's fans are left to ponder what could have been. Forshaw's goal was a rare highlight in his career, and it seemed to spark life into the visitors. However, Stoke's determination paid off when Rak-Sakyi scored the equalizer. The match saw several former players face their old teams, including Stoke fans seeing their former manager Michael O'Neill, now in charge of Blackburn. O'Neill had previously managed Stoke, winning 55 of his 143 games before being sacked in 2022. The Northern Ireland manager seemed to enjoy his return, with his team taking the lead in the first half. They should have been ahead earlier, but Ryoya Morishita failed to hit the target from 16 yards. Forshaw's goal was a surprise, given his limited goalscoring record, but he curled in Ryan Alebiosu's cut-back from 20 yards after a well-worked counterattack. Stoke responded well to the goal, with Sam Gallagher seeing a goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Eiran Cashin. Cashin blocked another shot from Eric Bocat, giving Blackburn a corner. In the second half, Stoke started strongly and were rewarded with their equalizer. Good work by Bocat gave Million Manhoef the chance to run at the Blackburn defense, crossing into the six-yard area for Rak-Sakyi to score. Rak-Sakyi almost doubled his tally but curled his shot wide of the post. Moussa Baradji retaliated from long distance, but Gavin Bazunu saved comfortably. Substitute Lamine Cisse had the chance to win it for Stoke late on but hit his shot straight at stranded keeper Balazs Toth. Stoke manager Mark Robins reflected on the fans' disappointment, saying the team needs to remember where they are and that they cannot go from being near relegation to promotion without Championship-ready players. Blackburn manager Michael O'Neill discussed their survival chances, stating that they cannot expect favors from other teams and must take their form and belief into the remaining four games.