Stoke City were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, losing a penalty shootout to Hull City after a 1-1 draw in the second round. The Championship side took the lead through Robert Bozenik but were pegged back right on half-time, with the Premier League visitors eventually prevailing 5-4 on spot-kicks.
This cup exit adds to a difficult start to the season for Stoke, who sit 21st in the Championship with zero points from their opening two league games. They have scored just two goals while conceding five, leaving them six points adrift of early leaders Millwall. Their immediate focus now shifts to a tough away trip to face fourth-placed Wolves this Saturday.
Stoke City started brightly and took the lead six minutes before the interval. Sorba Thomas delivered a cross from the left and Robert Bozenik powered a header past Dillon Phillips. The lead was short-lived, however. In first-half stoppage time, Liam Millar set up Kieran Dowell to fire home an equaliser for a much-changed Hull side, who had made eleven alterations after beating Manchester United in the Premier League.
The second half saw fewer clear chances. Stoke goalkeeper Josh Griffiths made a smart stop from a Liam Millar cross, while at the other end, Tomas Rigo fired over after good work from Thomas. Hull's David Akintola had an early chance saved, and Tyrell Sellars-Fleming blazed over late on, but neither side could find a winner in regular time.
The shootout was a tense affair, with both teams converting their first three attempts. Hull City's Hidemasa Morita, Paddy Dowell, Elliot Stroud, Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi all scored from twelve yards. Stoke matched them through their first three takers, but their fourth penalty proved decisive. George Hirst saw his effort saved by Hull's Dillon Phillips, handing the Tigers their place in the third round. The BBC Sport report noted that Phillips was named Player of the Match by their user ratings.
Elimination from the Carabao Cup is a setback, but the primary concern remains their league form. With two defeats from two, the pressure is on to start picking up points. Their -3 goal difference highlights defensive issues that need addressing quickly. A positive result against Wolves could provide a vital spark to ignite their Championship campaign.
