Stoke City Battles Back to Earn Draw Against Blackburn

Adam Forshaw netted his third goal in ten years, helping Blackburn move closer to Championship survival with a 1-1 draw against 10-man Stoke City. Forshaw's 21st-minute goal, his first since February 2025 and only his second since April 2016, gave Rovers the lead. However, Stoke City equalized through Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in the 56th minute. The match took a turn when Ash Phillips, a former Blackburn defender on loan from Tottenham, was sent off for a second bookable offense three minutes from time. Stoke City fans are accustomed to facing former managers, with Michael O'Neill being the fourth this season. O'Neill, who won 55 of his 143 games in charge before being sacked in 2022, enjoyed his return in the first half as the visitors took a deserved lead. Despite being four points above the drop zone, Blackburn should have been in front before Forshaw's goal. Skipper Todd Cantwell played in Ryoya Morishita, but the Japanese star failed to hit the target from 16 yards. Forshaw then scored with a delightful curl from 20 yards after Ryan Alebiosu's cut-back. Stoke City responded well, with Sam Gallagher seeing a goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Eiran Cashin. Cashin came to the rescue again, blocking Eric Bocat's shot. Stoke City started the second half positively and were rewarded with their equalizer. Good hustling by Bocat gave Million Manhoef the chance to run at the Rovers defense before crossing into the six-yard area for Rak-Sakyi to bundle home. The former Charlton striker almost doubled his tally but curled his shot wide. Moussa Baradji retaliated from long distance, but Gavin Bazunu saved comfortably. Substitute Lamine Cisse should have won it for Stoke late on but hit it straight at stranded keeper Balazs Toth. Stoke City's Mark Robins addressed fans' disgruntlement, stating that the team must remember where they are and that they cannot go from being a game away from relegation to promotion without Championship-ready players. Blackburn's Michael O'Neill discussed their survival chances, saying they cannot expect favors and must take their form and belief into the remaining four games.