The bet365 Stadium was buzzing with anticipation on September 27, 2025, as Stoke City and Norwich City locked horns in a Sky Bet Championship clash that ultimately finished 1-1. Both sides came into this contest with plenty to prove: Stoke, managed by Mark Robins, were eager to finally break a nearly decade-long home drought against the Canaries, while Liam Manning’s Norwich looked to extend their impressive unbeaten run on the road. In front of a lively crowd of 25,200, including 1,477 traveling Norwich fans, the match delivered drama, near-misses, and a flurry of talking points.
Stoke City, riding high in the early stages of the 2025-26 campaign, had not conceded more than a single goal in any league match so far. Norwich, meanwhile, had collected all of their points away from Carrow Road this season, making them a formidable foe on their travels. With both teams boasting dynamic attacking options and organized defenses, the stage was set for a fascinating encounter.
The Potters started brightly, dominating possession and putting the Norwich backline under pressure from the opening whistle. Million Manhoef, Stoke’s lively winger, was a constant threat on the flank, forcing Norwich’s Harry Darling into an early intervention to snuff out danger. The home side’s early dominance nearly paid dividends when Manhoef whipped in a cross for Divin Mubama, but the striker’s header failed to trouble Norwich goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic.
Yet, football has a knack for turning the tables in an instant. Against the run of play, Norwich found the breakthrough in the 26th minute. A slick one-touch sequence through midfield released Jack Stacey down the right, and his pinpoint cross was met by Jovon Makama, who coolly slotted home from close range. It was Makama’s second goal in as many games, and the ex-Lincoln striker’s confidence was evident. “We scored a fantastic goal after a moment of high quality,” Norwich boss Liam Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk, highlighting the team’s ability to strike quickly when given the chance.
Stoke nearly responded before the break. Bae Jun-ho, linking up smartly with Manhoef, saw his shot saved by Kovacevic, only for the rebound to ricochet goalwards. Jakov Medic, ever alert, raced back to clear off the line and preserve Norwich’s lead. The Potters pressed on, with Tomas Rigo’s long-range effort deflected wide and Rigo himself spurning a golden opportunity in stoppage time.
Trailing at halftime, Stoke needed a spark—and they got it just two minutes after the restart. Another quick break saw Manhoef unleash a shot that Kovacevic could only parry. The ball fell invitingly to Sorba Thomas, who spun and fired into the top corner from eight yards, sending the home crowd into raptures. It was Thomas’s third goal of the season and a testament to his growing influence since joining from Huddersfield. “From minute one we were really good, we looked dangerous and I thought we deserved more,” said Mark Robins to BBC Radio Stoke. “That is probably the most dominant we have been in games this season.”
The equalizer set the tone for a frenetic second half. Norwich, rattled by the swift response, nearly reclaimed the lead when Liam Gibbs unleashed a thunderous strike that crashed off the crossbar. Stoke, however, continued to pile on the pressure. Bae Jun-ho’s header was cleared off the line by Norwich captain Kenny McLean, while Manhoef rattled the post with a low drive from the edge of the area. Kovacevic was called into action repeatedly, denying Rigo’s long-range attempt and keeping his side in contention.
Norwich’s resilience was tested as the Potters peppered their goal. The Canaries’ defense, marshaled by Medic and Darling, withstood wave after wave of Stoke attacks. Manning acknowledged the challenge, stating, “It was frustrating to concede so early again at the start of the second half because you give them a lift and momentum, and then we ended up defending for large parts of the second half.”
As the match entered its final stages, both teams pushed for a winner. Norwich’s top scorer, Josh Sargent, had a golden chance late on, breaking clear only to be denied by Stoke’s Viktor Johansson, who stood tall to preserve parity. At the other end, Thomas nearly turned provider for substitute Lamine Cisse, but the flicked header sailed just over the bar, denying the home fans a dramatic finale.
The match also featured a poignant moment for Stoke supporters, as 36-year-old Steven Nzonzi made an emotional return to the pitch, coming on as a substitute in the 89th minute. Nzonzi’s appearance came a decade after his memorable goal in a 6-1 rout of Liverpool—a match that also marked Steven Gerrard’s farewell for the Reds. The ovation for Nzonzi underscored the enduring connection between the player and the Stoke faithful.
Both sides struck the woodwork in the second half, with Gibbs and Manhoef denied by the frame of the goal. The statistics told the story of Stoke’s dominance: 58% possession, 23 shots to Norwich’s six, and 11 corners to just one for the visitors. Yet, for all their attacking intent, the Potters could not find the decisive second goal. Norwich’s unbeaten run at the bet365 Stadium stretched to 10 games, and their record of picking up points away from home remained intact.
The managers’ post-match reflections captured the mood. Robins praised his team’s performance but rued missed opportunities: “We had a lot of chances to go out and win the game. The only downside was we didn’t take the three points.” Manning, meanwhile, saw positives in his side’s resilience but called for greater composure: “We have to be braver and [have a] tougher mentality to take care of the ball, but I know that will improve.”
With the draw, Stoke dropped to third in the Championship table after their first stalemate of the campaign. Norwich, still undefeated on their travels, will look to build on this hard-fought point as they prepare to host West Brom in their next fixture. For Stoke, the wait for a home victory over Norwich goes on, but the performance offered plenty of encouragement for Robins and his squad.
As the final whistle blew, both sets of fans could reflect on a contest that had everything but a winner. With drama at both ends, passionate support, and a host of standout performances, this was Championship football at its best—a reminder that, sometimes, a draw can feel just as compelling as a victory.
