A Point Apiece In Stoke

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A Point Apiece In Stoke

We were held to a 2-2 draw at Stoke City in Gary Rowett’s first match as Leicester City Manager on Saturday.

2026-02-21T14:40+00:00

by Sam Stevens

Published

21 Feb, 2026

from bet365 Stadium

A Point Apiece In Stoke

We were held to a 2-2 draw at Stoke City in Gary Rowett’s first match as Leicester City Manager on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2026-02-21T14:40+00:00

A Point Apiece In Stoke

We were held to a 2-2 draw at Stoke City in Gary Rowett’s first match as Leicester City Manager on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2026-02-21T14:40+00:00

A Point Apiece In Stoke

We were held to a 2-2 draw at Stoke City in Gary Rowett’s first match as Leicester City Manager on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2026-02-21T14:40+00:00

A Point Apiece In Stoke

We were held to a 2-2 draw at Stoke City in Gary Rowett’s first match as Leicester City Manager on Saturday.

Sam Stevens

2026-02-21T14:40+00:00

Coming into the contest on the back of five successive defeats in all competitions, former Foxes full-back Rowett wasted little time getting to work this week.

However, his side found themselves behind just three minutes into proceedings at bet365 Stadium. Potters captain Ben Wilmot’s close-range header had nearly 3,000 City fans fearing another frustrating afternoon. The visitors, though, gradually grew into the contest and, by the second half, were firmly on the front foot.

Divine Mukasa’s cross-turned-shot – his second LCFC goal – brought us level in the 52nd minute, before Harry Winks drove home to put us ahead. With 60 seconds of normal time remaining, however, Wilmot struck again, finishing from close range at the far post to restore parity and salvage a point for the hosts. Joe Aribo was denied by goalkeeper Tommy Simkin at the death, before even later, Ben Nelson nodded onto the crossbar and Luke Thomas' header came back off the base of the post, but it ended with a point apiece in Staffordshire.

A tough start

Before kick-off, Stoke, albeit also on a six-game winless run, often win after taking the lead, so when they surged ahead after just three minutes, the signs were ominous for the Foxes.

Aaron Cresswell’s cross unlocked the defence, teeing up Wilmot for a point-blank header to hand Mark Robins’ side an early advantage.

The first half proved a stern test for City. Ashley Phillips’ header clattered against the crossbar, while Tatsuki Seko also blazed an audacious half-volley over the bar. Crucially, though, the deficit remained at just one goal, keeping the door ajar for a potential comeback.

Fighting back

On loan from Manchester City, Mukasa has already shown flashes of his considerable potential this winter. The 18-year-old was beginning to light up the second half in Stoke, and it was his attempted cross – aimed towards Oliver Skipp and Stephy Mavididi – which evaded everyone in the area and nestled into the far corner.

Mukasa then released Mavididi as Leicester pressed on for a winner, and while home goalkeeper Simkin made the save, the assistant’s raised flag also brought the move to an end. Even so, the momentum had clearly shifted, and City were in the ascendancy. Leicester’s pressure continued into the closing stages. Mavididi’s curling effort from 25 yards required Simkin to tip it behind, while Mukasa’s fierce volley flashed narrowly wide of the near post.

With 14 minutes remaining, Mavididi recycled possession and picked out Patson Daka, who slid the ball back across to Mukasa. A clever back-heel created space for Winks, who powered his effort through the crowd and past Simkin in front of the away end, who celebrated wildly.

Denied a win & late, late chances

Just as it appeared Leicester might be heading back across the Midlands with all three points, Stoke struck late. Sorba Thomas’ cross proved decisive, allowing Wilmot to tap in at the back post and secure a share of the spoils for Stoke at the very end. Into added time, however, Leicester could have yet won it.

Substitute Aribo got on the end of Mukasa's low ball across the box, but Simkin made a fine stop.

Then Nelson's header crashed onto the crossbar, before Thomas - again teed up by Mukasa, glanced a header onto the post in the last action of the game. The result leaves us still in the bottom three, but now just a single point behind West Bromwich Albion, ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Middlesbrough.

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