Stoke City kicked off 2026 in dramatic fashion, securing a gritty 1-0 win over Hull City at the MKM Stadium on New Year’s Day—a result that not only reignited their Championship play-off hopes but also left fans and players alike holding their breath over the condition of striker Robert Bozenik. The Slovakian forward, who joined the Potters from Boavista in the summer, scored his first goal for the club in the 39th minute, only to be forced off early in the second half with a severe shoulder injury that cast a shadow over the victory.
It was a game that had it all: tension, resilience, and a hefty dose of stoppage time. Hull City, who started the day in fourth and just two points off the automatic promotion spots, came into the contest riding a five-match unbeaten run. Stoke, meanwhile, had managed only one win from their previous six outings and desperately needed a spark to revive their season. That spark came courtesy of Bozenik, but not without cost.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both sides struggling to adapt to a pitch that Stoke manager Mark Robins later described as challenging. "The pitch wasn't great. What was great was the way we tried to play, the way we moved the ball on it," Robins told BBC Radio Stoke. Despite the conditions, Stoke looked the sharper team, especially in the final third.
Bozenik nearly opened the scoring in the 18th minute, curling a shot from outside the penalty area that Hull’s keeper Ivor Pandur managed to parry. Hull responded with a flurry of pressure, nearly taking the lead when Regan Slater’s direct corner forced a low save from Stoke’s debutant goalkeeper Tommy Simkin. The rebound fell to Charlie Hughes, whose effort rattled the crossbar—an early warning sign for the visitors.
The breakthrough arrived just before halftime. Lamine Cisse, lively on the right flank, drilled a low cross into the box. Bozenik, left unmarked at the far post, made no mistake and tapped home for his first goal in Stoke colors. Pandemonium erupted among the travelling Potters faithful, whose support Robins was quick to praise: "The support was outstanding. I think away from home, the fans have been incredible, so thanks to them for that."
But the joy was short-lived. Moments into the second half, Bozenik went down clutching his shoulder after an awkward fall. The urgency was palpable as the referee signaled for immediate medical attention and Stoke’s Ben Gibson gestured to the bench that a substitution was needed. The 26-year-old required oxygen on the pitch, and after a lengthy delay—which contributed to a mammoth 17 minutes of stoppage time—he left in tears, his arm in a makeshift sling fashioned from his shirt. He was replaced by Sam Gallagher, while Stoke’s official social media confirmed, "City are forced into a change following a lengthy delay in play as Bozenik is replaced by Gallagher."
Hull’s woes didn’t end there. Captain Lewie Coyle suffered a nasty head injury but, after treatment and a bandage, bravely played on. The Tigers, criticized by their manager Sergej Jakirovic for their first-half approach, ramped up the pressure after the break. "I was not satisfied in the first half especially, because we didn't play; we just kicked the ball forward, which was very easy to defend," Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside. Still, Hull nearly found an equalizer—striking the woodwork twice, including a dramatic effort from Kasey Palmer in the 98th minute that crashed off the bar and bounced on the line before being cleared.
Stoke’s defense, marshaled by the impressive Simkin on debut, held firm. The young keeper made several crucial interventions, including a low save from Millar’s cross and commanding his area during a late Hull onslaught. The visitors could have doubled their lead late on, but Lewie Coyle’s acrobatic goalline clearance denied Ashley Phillips a rare goal.
This result marked Stoke’s fifth consecutive victory at the MKM Stadium—a remarkable record given Hull’s strong home form. It also ended the Tigers’ unbeaten streak and lifted the Potters to ninth in the table, just three points off the playoff spots. For a side that had slipped out of the promotion picture after winning only two of their last ten league games, this was a much-needed statement.
Yet, the post-match mood was tempered by concern for Bozenik. Robins provided a sobering update: "It's a dislocated shoulder and it's not looking great. He went to hospital in a significant amount of distress and pain, so we'll have to see what the outcome of that is. I thought he's been looking like a proper striker and has been working towards that. It's another blow and we'll just have to see how that is." Stoke fans will be hoping for positive news, especially given Bozenik’s recent adaptation to English football and his importance to the team’s attacking prospects.
Elsewhere in the Championship, the promotion race remains as tight as ever. Coventry City held onto top spot despite a 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic, while Ipswich Town closed the gap with a 2-1 win over Oxford United. Leicester City and Sheffield United rounded off a hectic afternoon with a clash at Bramall Lane, further intensifying the battle for Premier League places.
Looking ahead, Stoke face a demanding schedule. They travel to Norwich City on January 4 before hosting Robins’ former club Coventry in the FA Cup third round. With games coming thick and fast, squad depth will be tested—especially if Bozenik faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Robins acknowledged the challenge: "That's a third game in a short space of time, and on Saturday we travel to Norwich for the game on Sunday. It's tough, really tough, so they deserve an awful lot of credit."
For Hull, the defeat was a setback but not a disaster. Jakirovic remained philosophical, noting the relentless pace of the Championship and the need for quick recovery: "It's a normal Championship game, especially at this moment where every game is coming too fast. You just have recovery and mental preparation. I think in these days, in this moment, whoever has more energy, more will, more desire, then you can expect something."
As the Potters celebrated a hard-fought win and a return to the playoff chase, all eyes now turn to the medical updates on Bozenik and the crucial fixtures ahead. If Stoke can maintain this newfound resilience and rediscover their scoring touch, the second half of the season promises plenty of drama. For now, though, their New Year’s Day triumph comes with a bittersweet aftertaste—a reminder that in football, fortunes can change in an instant.
