Coventry City player ratings from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner hands out the scores from the FA Cup tie at Stoke
17:06, 10 Jan 2026Updated 17:23, 10 Jan 2026
Yang Min-hyeok of Coventry City is fouled by Tatsuki Seko of Stoke City
Yang Min-hyeok of Coventry City is fouled by Tatsuki Seko of Stoke City(Image: )
Coventry City were knocked out the FA Cup by a late wonder strike from Stoke’s Lamine Cisse.
Coventry, who made eight changes for the third round tie, enjoyed plenty of early possession but had understudy goalkeeper Ben Wilson to thank for keeping them in the game in the 20th minute when he made two good saves in quick succession to deny Divin Mubama and Maksym Talovierov as the hosts went close to breaking the deadlock.
Stoke were also guilty of squandering two gilt-edged chances in a scrappy first half at the Bet365 Stadium where Million Manhoef went clean through but screwed wide of the target before Mubama lifted a loose all over the bar from seven yards out.
The visitors had their first really clear cut chance in the 64th minute when Romain Esse beat his man in the box to set up Haji Wright who headed onto the far post. Min-Hyeok then cut in from the left and hit a terrific shot, forcing goalkeeper Tommy Simkin into an impressive one-handed save before Jack Rudoni hit the post with a deflected shot on goal in a vastly improved second half from the Sky Blues.
But Stoke snatched victory in the 88th minute when Lamine Cisse latched onto a cleared ball just outside the box and hit a worldy of a half volley into the top corner to settle the tie.
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BEN WILSON: 7
Made good early saves to deny Mubama and Talovierov the opportunity to break the deadlock. Saved well at his near post to deny Rigo early in the second half. Finally beaten by a worldy finish into the top corner.
Ben Wilson of Coventry City in action against Stoke
Ben Wilson of Coventry City in action against Stoke(Image: )
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 6
Deployed at right-back in place of the rested Van Ewijk and defended reasonably well against wide man Lamine Cisse. Made two crucial blocks to deny Stoke finding a way through just before the break but allowed Wilmot a free header in the second half and was fortunate when the effort went inches wide.
LUKE WOOLFENDEN: 5.5/6
In for the suspended Bobby Thomas, the centre-half was calm and collected on the ball and defended reasonably well throughout but it was his header into space that was converted into the top corner by Cisse.
LIAM KITCHING: 5.5
Read the game well and organised the back four but picked up a first-half yellow card for pulling Manhoef back by his shirt. Withdrawn late on as Lampard added Van Ewijk’s pace to his defence.
JAKE BIDWELL: 6
Made a solid start to the game in which he was tasked with keeping tricky winger Million Manhoef in check. Got forward well on the overlap with Min-Hyeok, playing him in with a lovely pass on one occasion.
JOSH ECCLES: 5.5/6
Worked hard in the midfield battleground where he covered lots of ground and made tackles. Took an elbow to the face but battled on.
KAI ANDREWS: 5.5/6
Put himself about well in the heart of midfield, getting his foot in and making challenges to win the ball in a busy start for the young midfielder. Played some nice passes to help move City up the pitch
Million Manhoef of Stoke City battles for possession with Kai Andrews of Coventry City
Million Manhoef of Stoke City battles for possession with Kai Andrews of Coventry City(Image: )
ROMAIN ESSE: 5.5/6
Hugged the right touchline and drifted in onto his left foot with some nice touches. Showed his defensive side when he slid in to dispossess Cisse in the Coventry box. Came to life more in the second half when he beat his man in the box and set up Wright who headed onto the post. Moved into the number ten role when Rudoni went off.
JACK RUDONI: 5.5/6
Good on the turn but unable to spark any decent attacks in a poor first half of football at the Bet365 Stadium. Hit a deflected shot that thumped the post midway through the second half.
MIN-HYEOK YANG: 5.5/6
Showed some nice touches and linked up nicely with Bidwell down the left early on and cut inside and hit a curling shot that was blocked out for a corner. Cut inside and tested the keeper with terrific shot which was denied by a one-handed save. Decent enough debut but hopefully more to come from the South Korean.
HAJI WRIGHT: 5.5/6
Cut across the face of goal and had a powerful shot blocked in an early attempt on goal but chances were few and far between for the striker in the first half which saw him send a flicked header well wide of the target. Well marshalled by the impressive Ben Wilmot. Headed onto the post in an improved second half.
Haji Wright of Coventry City is fouled by Tatsuki Seko of Stoke City
Haji Wright of Coventry City is fouled by Tatsuki Seko of Stoke City(Image: )
SUBSTITUTES:
ELLIS SIMMS (72 mins, for Wright):
EPHRON MASON-CLARK (72 mins, for Min-Hyeok):
TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO (72 mins, for Rudoni)
MILANJ VAN EWIJK (79 mins, for Kitching):
Subs (not used): Carl Rushworth (GK), Jay Dasilva, Matt Grimes, Jamie Allen, Miguel Brau.
STOKE CITY (4-2-3-1): Tommy Simkin; Maksym Talovierov, Ashley Phillips, Ben Wilmot, Bosun Lawal; Ben Pearson, Tatsuki Seko; Million Manhoef, Tomas Rigo, Lamine Cisse; Divin Mubama.
Subs (not used): Jack Bonham (GK), Sorba Thomas, Bae Junho, Steven Nzonzi, Sam Gallagher, Jaden Dixon, Jake Griffin, Ruben Curley, Favour Fawunmi.
GOALS:
POTTERS: Cisse (88)
SKY BLUES:
REFEREE: Tom Nield.
ATTENDANCE: 13,894 (4,821 City)
NEXT UP: Leicester City (h), Saturday, January 17 (12.30pm).
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Every day, the CoventryLive football desk strive to deliver all manner of news, features and transfer-related stories as a part of our overall package of Coventry City content.
Our dedicated reporter Andy Turner - who you can follow on X - follows the Sky Blues home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.
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