Stoke City claimed a vital 3-1 win against Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in their Championship clash on March 29, 2025. The home side overcame an early deficit to secure three points that could prove crucial in their battle to climb the Championship table.
Match overview and key moments
The match at the Bet365 Stadium began with QPR showing early promise, taking the lead in the 21st minute through Bae Jun-Ho. The South Korean midfielder found space in the Stoke penalty area and converted clinically to give the visitors the advantage.
However, Stoke City responded well to going behind. Just before halftime, Junior Tchamadeu equalized in the 44th minute, sending the teams into the break on level terms. The goal came somewhat against the run of play but provided the Potters with momentum heading into the second half.
After the restart, Stoke took control of the contest. Million Manhoef put the home side ahead in the 54th minute with a well-taken finish, before Yang Min-Hyeok sealed the victory with a third goal in the 78th minute. Despite four minutes of added time, QPR couldn’t find a way back into the match.
Team lineups and tactical approach
Stoke City’s lineup featured a mix of experience and youth, with Viktor Johansson starting in goal behind a defensive line of Eric Bocat, Ben Wilmot, Ashley Phillips, and goalscorer Junior Tchamadeu, The midfield trio of Lewis Baker, Wouter Burger, and Ben Pearson provided a solid foundation, while Bae Jun-Ho, Million Manhoef, and Sam Gallagher led the attack.
The home side’s bench offered additional options, including;
* Tatsuki Seko
* Lynden Gooch
* Michael Rose
* Jack Bonham
* Andy Moran
* Ryan Mmaee
Stoke’s tactical approach evolved throughout the match, initially struggling to contain QPR’s attacking threats but growing in confidence after equalizing. Their second-half performance demonstrated improved organization and clinical finishing.
Championship implications
This result has significant implications for both teams in the Championship standings. Prior to the match, QPR sat slightly above Stoke with 45 points from 39 games (11 wins, 12 draws, 16 losses), while Stoke had accumulated 42 points from the same number of matches (10 wins, 12 draws, 17 losses).
The victory narrows the gap between the sides to just three points, giving Stoke renewed hope in their campaign to climb the table. For QPR, the defeat represents a missed opportunity to create distance from the teams below them.
Both clubs continue to navigate through the challenging Championship season, where consistency remains elusive for many sides. This fixture highlighted the competitive nature of England’s second tier, where momentum can shift rapidly.
What’s next for both teams
Following this encounter at the Bet365 Stadium, both teams will be looking ahead to their remaining fixtures in the 2024-25 Championship season, With the business end of the campaign approaching, every point becomes increasingly valuable.
Stoke City will take confidence from this performance, particularly the character shown to overturn an early deficit. The contributions from Tchamadeu, Manhoef, and Yang will encourage the coaching staff as they prepare for upcoming matches.
QPR, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. Despite the disappointment of surrendering a lead, there were positive aspects to their performance, particularly in the opening stages when they controlled proceedings and took a deserved lead through Bae Jun-Ho.
As the Championship season continues to unfold, this result may prove significant in determining the final positions of both Stoke City and Queens Park Rangers in the 2024-25 campaign.