Reaction from Ewood Park as Stoke let lead slip to draw with Blackburn
14:40, 04 Oct 2025Updated 14:59, 04 Oct 2025
Peter has reported on Stoke City for The Sentinel and StokeonTrentLive since 2013, following the club in the Premier League, Championship and beyond, including trips to Singapore, Germany, France, Croatia and Switzerland. He has been watching Stoke since 1990.
Stoke City’s Junior Tchamadeu is tackled by Blackburn Rovers’ Taylor Gardner-Hickman
Stoke City are kicking themselves after Augustus Kargbo came off the bench to rescue a point for Blackburn Rovers and almost nick all three.
Stoke were ahead thanks to a well-taken goal from Million Manhoef early in the second half and Manhoef might have sealed it going into the closing stages but that time couldn’t find a way past Balazs Toth.
Instead, substitute Kargbo seized the moment and he had time to swivel and score the equaliser from close range after sloppy defensive play from the visitors. Kargbo then crashed a shot against the post after Lewis Miller’s long throw had bounced through the Stoke area.
It means a third frustrating draw in eight days for Stoke while Blackburn were grateful for a point following back-to-back defeats had dragged them towards the wrong end of the Championship.
Thomas tested Balazs Toth with a snap shot almost straight from kick-off after a big kick forward from Viktor Johansson was only headed out as far as the winger. Stoke dominated the early possession and Manhoef had a shot blocked and Tomas Rigo headed wide.
But the big chance to break the deadlock fell to Andri Gudjohnsen, left in space at the back post to meet a cross from Ryoya Morishita – but not being able to control before Johansson could intervene and poke it to safety.
Stoke found the breakthrough just after half-time when Thomas slipped a super pass from left to right for Manhoef to advance into a one-on-one and dink the ball over the keeper with his lesser-used right foot. That was Manhoef’s third of the season and the fourth time that Championship assist king Thomas had set up a goal.
Stoke were sensing a second almost immediately when they stormed onto the counter-attack from a Blackburn corner. Thomas ran into the opposition half on his own but had Ryan Alebiosu charging down his neck to ultimately make an excellent tackle, sliding in from behind.
Toth could only parry another shot from Manhoef after he had cut onto his left foot while Cantwell tested Johansson with a long ranger at the other end. Johansson had to make a smart save to keep out Dion de Neve too.
Manhoef was slipped in by Bae Junho for a chance to put the game beyond doubt but he couldn’t beat Toth.
Then Blackburn levelled in the 82nd minute when Stoke declined opportunities to clear their lines and Kargbo was unmarked enough to control and pick his spot in the six-yard box when the ball was poked square by Cantwell. The hosts thought they had won it as a long throw bounced through the Stoke area for Kargo lurking at the back post to hammer a shot into the near post.
Here are the player ratings from Ewood Park
Johansson: Did well to intervene when Gudjohnsen had been left in space to meet a Morishita cross. Good save to stop De Neve. 7
Tchamadeu: A couple of naïve moments but ready to scrap and also slipped in the odd neat pass into the final third. Has to stop crosses. 6
Cresswell: Enjoyed a slide tackle on wet pitch. Relatively unruffled on the left of defence. 6.5
Wilmot: Looked furious when series of avoidable moments left Kargbo in space to deny Stoke win and undo a lot of hard work. 6.5
Phillips: Took a bit of stick from his old fans. Still shaking off a bit of rust but made some important contributions defending set pieces before that equaliser. 6
Seko: Saw a lot of the ball and can keep it moving to keep tempo up – but a little vulnerable defensively, such as with goal. 6
Rigo: Some deft touches and went close with an early header. Had to be careful after booking early in second half. 6.5
Junho: Came more into game in second half and looked like he could link up play in decent areas of the pitch. Nice pass to set up Manhoef chance. 6.5
Manhoef: One of the players who looks desperate to make something happen. Gets into good positions and took goal well with right foot. 7
Thomas: Made life difficult for his marker again, always on the move. Excellent pass to set up opener for Manhoef. 7
Mubama: Came deep at times to get on the ball and shift it about. Might have pounced a couple of times when Toth spilled shots. 6
Substitutes
Nzonzi (for Rigo, 67): Loud reception from home and away fans. Had to clear his lines before Blackburn goal. 6
Bozenik (for Mubama, 67): Decent shot on angle as he added fresh legs to the front line. 6
Donley (for Junho, 81): A chance to get some minutes back in his legs for first time since August. 6
Cisse (for Thomas, 90): Late entrance to try to chase injury time winner. N/A
Not used: Bonham, Pearson, Bocat, Talovierov, Mears.
Referee: Reubyn Ricardo (Leicestershire) 6
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