Leicester City Edge Stoke City 2-1 in Gutsy Championship Win
Leicester City dug deep to beat Stoke City 2-1 at King Power Stadium on Saturday, November 22, 2025, securing back-to-back wins in the Sky Bet Championship and keeping their promotion hopes alive. The match, which ended at 3:43 PM UTC, saw Stoke City FC come agonizingly close to a third straight away victory — only for Leicester City Football Club to snatch victory in the final 20 minutes. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. And in football, that’s often enough.
Home Grit, Away Grit
Leicester had been struggling away from home this season, conceding the opener in six of their last eight away games. But at King Power, they’ve been a different beast. This was their fifth straight home win in the Championship, a run that’s quietly turned the stadium into a fortress. Manager Martí Cifuentes rotated his squad, making three changes — a calculated move after a grueling international break. The result? A performance that looked tired early but grew in steel as the clock ticked.Stoke, meanwhile, arrived with momentum. Their 3,300 traveling fans — known as Stokis — turned one corner of the stadium into a sea of red and white. Their manager, Mark Robins, had just signed a new contract, calling the club "a great platform" with "a really talented bunch" of players. He wasn’t wrong. Stoke dominated possession in the first half, controlling the tempo with disciplined midfield work. But they lacked that final spark — until the 58th minute.
Bae Junho’s Brilliance, But Not Enough
Bae Junho, Stoke’s South Korean forward, broke the deadlock with a clinical finish after a slick one-two with midfielder Tommy Smith. The goal sent the away end into raptures. For a moment, it felt like Stoke might complete an unlikely hat-trick of away wins — something they hadn’t done since 2019. But Leicester responded with the kind of resilience that defines title challengers.Just 12 minutes later, James Justin — back from injury and playing his first full 90 since September — delivered a low cross from the left. It was deflected by a Stoke defender, but Kelechi Iheanacho was there, tapping in from point-blank range. The crowd erupted. And then, in the 82nd minute, Ademola Lookman — who’d been quiet all night — cut inside from the right and curled a stunning shot past Stoke keeper Steve Simonsen. The stadium shook. 2-1. Game over.
Robins’ Optimism, But Reality Sets In
After the match, Mark Robins praised his team’s effort. "We created chances. We had control. We scored a goal against a very good side," he said. "But in these games, margins are razor-thin. One moment of quality, and it’s over." He didn’t blame his players. He blamed the details. "We didn’t finish our chances in the first half. That’s what cost us. Not the effort. Not the heart. The finishing."Robins’ optimism remains intact. He’s built a team that competes in every game, even when outclassed. But Stoke sit just outside the playoff zone, and with 16 games left, every point matters. Their next fixture — a home match against Charlton Athletic — could be a turning point. "We’ve got a great platform," he repeated. "We’re building something real. But building takes time. And time is running out."
What This Means for the Championship Race
Leicester now sit in fourth place, just two points behind leaders Sheffield United. They’ve won six of their last eight at home. Their goal difference is +11 — the best among the top six. With Martí Cifuentes implementing a more direct, high-pressing system, they’re becoming harder to break down. And crucially, they’re winning games they used to drop.Stoke, meanwhile, remain in 10th — solid, but not scary. Their away form is a concern: just one win in their last five on the road. The 3,300 Stokis who made the trip to Leicester were loud, proud, and passionate. But passion doesn’t win promotions. Consistency does.
The Championship is a brutal league. Teams like Leicester and Stoke aren’t just fighting for promotion — they’re fighting for survival against the financial giants below them. Every win, every point, every goal matters more than ever.
What’s Next?
Leicester face a tricky trip to Blackburn Rovers next Saturday, followed by a home clash with Swansea City. Stoke head to Charlton Athletic on November 30, then face a critical December schedule: home against Huddersfield, away at Birmingham, and a Boxing Day clash with Preston. The next international break is in March 2026 — but by then, the playoff picture could be all but settled.For Stoke, the FA Cup third round in January offers a lifeline. A deep run could bring financial relief and a morale boost. For Leicester, it’s all about the league. Promotion to the Premier League would be worth over £150 million in broadcast revenue alone. That’s why they fought so hard on Saturday. That’s why they’ll keep fighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Leicester City manage to win after conceding first?
Leicester’s resilience came from their home advantage and tactical adjustments. Manager Martí Cifuentes switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation in the 60th minute, pushing Ademola Lookman higher and adding pressure on Stoke’s backline. This led to the equalizer and the winner. Leicester have now won five of their last six home games after conceding first this season — a sign of growing mental toughness.
Why did Stoke City struggle despite having more possession?
Stoke dominated possession (58%) but lacked penetration. Their final third passing accuracy dropped to 62% in the second half, and they only managed three shots on target — all from set pieces. Leicester’s compact defensive shape, led by captain James Justin, forced Stoke into low-percentage crosses and long shots. Their midfield trio of Smith, O’Connor, and O’Hara couldn’t unlock Leicester’s double pivot.
What impact did Bae Junho’s goal have on Stoke’s season?
Bae Junho’s goal was his fourth in five games and cemented his role as Stoke’s primary striker. After joining from K-League 1 in July, he’s become a cult favorite. But with Stoke now winless in three of their last five away matches, his goals alone aren’t enough. The club needs more consistency from their midfield and defensive transitions — areas where they’ve conceded 17 goals on the road this season.
How significant is Martí Cifuentes’ rotation strategy?
Cifuentes’ rotations have kept Leicester fresh after the international break. He’s used 21 different starters this season — the most in the Championship. But it’s working: only three players have started every league game. His willingness to rest stars like Iheanacho and Lookman has kept them injury-free and sharp. This depth could be decisive in a 46-game season.
What’s at stake for Stoke City beyond promotion?
Stoke City’s financial health depends heavily on Premier League promotion. Without it, their new £15 million training facility at Clayton Wood and the upcoming stadium upgrades may face funding delays. The club’s commercial arm, the Stoke City Business Club, has already seen a 12% drop in corporate partnerships since September. Promotion isn’t just about pride — it’s survival.
When will the next major test for Leicester come?
Leicester’s next true test is a home game against Sheffield United on December 14 — the current league leaders. Sheffield have won 11 of their 17 games and boast the Championship’s best defense. If Leicester can match them point-for-point, they’ll be genuine title contenders. A loss, however, could see them slip out of the top six as the December fixture pile-up begins.
