Stoke City finished their pre-season friendly campaign on Saturday with a win over Burnley
Joseph Chapman
16:59, 02 Aug 2025Updated 17:10, 02 Aug 2025
Sorba Thomas, under pressure from Hannibal Mejbri and Kyle Walker, runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly between Stoke City and Burnley at the bet365 Stadium.
Sorba Thomas, under pressure from Hannibal Mejbri and Kyle Walker, runs with the ball during the pre-season friendly between Stoke City and Burnley at the bet365 Stadium.
Stoke City signed off from their 2025 pre-season campaign with a well earned 1-0 victory over promoted Burnley at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday. Ben Wilmot prodded home the only goal of the game in the first half, in a friendly which saw former Potter Josh Laurent sent off for two bookable offences.
Stoke had the lead as early as the twelfth minute; when Million Manhoef's shot resulted in a corner, Aaron Cresswell swung in the resulting dead ball and Burnley goalkeeper Max Weiss failed to claim it through a penalty area packed with players - Wilmot was on hand to prod the ball home when it fell to him.
The Potters were rather comfortable throughout the first half; Manhoef had a couple more sights of goal, but the Clarets only really came close from one set-piece when the ball fell for Hjalmar Ekdal at the back post and Tatsuki Seko made a last-gasp block to keep the defender at bay.
It was expected that the Premier League newcomers would, perhaps, up their levels in the second period and they almost equalised when Hannibal delivered a deep, searching cross to the back post from the right, but winger Jaidon Anthony slammed his shot into the ground first and it bounced over Viktor Johansson's goal.
Just after the hour mark Burnley were reduced to ten men; Josh Laurent, once of this parish before leaving for Burnley last summer, was already on a booking when he brought down Bae Junho in front of the Stoke technical area, and referee Steve Martin showed him his second caution and consequently a red.
From there, Stoke might've added to their lead; Seko, when played in, was denied in the penalty area by a recovering defender who blocked as he unleashed his shot, while substitute Sam Gallagher had two openings in the space of a minute - on both occasions keeper Weiss denied him.
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All roads now lead to the Championship season, which is upon us and commences this time next Saturday on home soil, when Midlands rivals Derby County visit.
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Stoke City player ratings
Johansson 7
Quick off his line in the opening couple of minutes to divert the danger away from Stoke's goal. Dominant at crosses and corners and, from one of those, began a rapid breakaway through Sorba Thomas after spotting the winger's run.
Tchamadeu 7
Created an opening for Manhoef on the right which led to corner from which Stoke took the lead. A little more subdued in the second period and spent more time in his own half as Burnley pressed for an equaliser but he kept tabs on Anthony.
Lawal 8
As he was against Premier League opponents last week - unfazed. Won one excellent 50-50 when Burnley were looking to break and he instead turned the tables and got Manhoef away on the right. So composed when under pressure. Developing a real understanding with Wilmot in pre-season, too.
Wilmot 8
Scored the goal, but his turn to lose the attention of Hannibal in the first half drew many oohs and aahs. Pinged one excellent ball out to the right for Tchamadeu towards the end of the first half as a part of a Stoke chance. Looked for Thomas again over the top in the second and stood up to the task of keeping Burnley at bay.
Cresswell 7
An early demonstration of his ability from a deeper position, when his searching cross caused issues for goalkeeper Max Weiss and momentarily had Mubama interested. His dangerous corner led to the opening goal. Defensively Cresswell was sound, calm in moments of concern with solid decision making.
Seko 7
Got the nod with Baker absent. His first half performance was very good. Picked his passes and mopped up but, off the ball, he won one crunching challenge in the middle of the park to turn the tide of an attack and threw his body in the way to deny Burnley from a corner. Might have scored when played in in the second half.
Pearson 7
Quietly this was a really strong showing from Pearson, who ticked things over in the middle of the park. Looks after his teammates and was one of the first on the scene when Mubama was getting grief off of Esteve. Created a late chance for Gallagher and continued to pick his passes and instruct his teammates throughout.
Thomas 7
A week on from a really positive showing against Wolves, Thomas did so again against Premier League opponents here. Partook in a really interesting battle with veteran Kyle Walker which demanded pace and strength. Deliveries from wide were very good. One of the first names on the teamsheet heading into the new season.
Junho 7
Combined early on with Thomas down the left. Technically good with the ball as you'd expect, but what Robins is asking of him he's responding to - without the ball, Junho did plenty in dropping in and creating more of a five-man midfield. On the receiving end as Laurent was sent off but demonstrated his classy passing range before the end, too.
Manhoef 7
Prominent in the first half when it came to Stoke chances. A little wasteful when in threatening areas, Manhoef dragged a couple of shots wide of goal in the first half. Improved in the second - almost threaded a good ball through for Mubama before he showed Hartman a clean pair of heels on the byline and hit the side netting.
Mubama 7
A nuisance in the first half, Mubama troubled Max Weiss early on when contesting a Cresswell cross. Continued to press from the front in the absence of any clear-cut chances himself. Did almost tee up Manhoef for a chance, but while there were no openings for the young forward, he turned in an important shift.
Substitutes
Bozenik (for Mubama 72) 6
The first look at the newbie, who led the line in the closing stages. Has to get up to speed with the pace of the game, which will come. Inches away from meeting a whipped in Thomas cross from the right. Won a couple of fouls when holding the ball up with his back to goal to relieve pressure.
Bocat (for Cresswell 72) 6
Took over from Cresswell on the left and was positive in his cameo, helping to create an opportunity for Gallagher.
Gallagher (for Manhoef 76) 6
Filled in on the left after a pre-season absence. Might've scored twice in the space of a minute when fed by Pearson and then Bocat.
Substitutes not used: Bonham, Fielding, Gallagher, Smith, Fawunmi, Mears
GOALS
Stoke City - Wilmot 12; Burnley -
The ref: Steve Martin
Attendance: 4,825
Up next: It begins. Derby County visit the Bet365 Stadium next Saturday, for a 3pm kick off, as the curtain rises on the new Championship season.
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