Stoke City's winning run was stopped by a determined Bristol City side in a goalless Championship draw at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday. The result ends a sequence of three consecutive victories for the Potters but extends their unbeaten home record. The goalless draw with Bristol City on Saturday 24 October leaves Stoke City with a recent form of three wins and a draw from their last five matches.
The stalemate means Stoke remain sixth in the Championship table, a position they will hold until at least the next round of fixtures. They have 19 points from 11 games, with a record of six wins, one draw, and four losses. They are now six points adrift of leaders Middlesbrough, who they lost to earlier this month. The team has scored 18 goals and conceded 16 this season.
Michael Skubala, the Bristol City manager, praised his team's resilience after the match.
Chances at a premium
Both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in a game of few chances. Stoke's best moment came in the first half when a low cross from the right was turned towards goal, but Bristol City's goalkeeper was alert to make a sharp save at his near post. The visitors offered a threat on the counter-attack, with their forwards testing the home defence, but neither goalkeeper was seriously extended.
The match was played in difficult conditions, with strong winds and rain affecting the flow of the game. This contributed to a fragmented contest where midfield battles outweighed attacking fluency. Stoke, who had scored goals in their opening league games, found a well-organised Robins defence a tough nut to crack.
Looking ahead to Preston
Steven Schumacher's side must now regroup quickly ahead of their next Championship assignment. They host bottom-placed Preston North End at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, 31 October. That fixture presents a clear opportunity to return to winning ways and consolidate their position in the top six. Preston currently sit 24th in the table.
This draw follows a 1-0 away win at Derby County, where Luke Graham scored the only goal in the 49th minute. The point gained keeps them firmly in the play-off conversation as the season approaches its busy winter period.
The original report is at Sky Sports Football
