Match Centre

Middlesbrough deserved their 3-2 victory at Stoke, with their 2.63 xG far exceeding Stoke's 0.74, reflecting their dominance in chance creation. Despite Stoke's late rally, Boro's 66% possession translated into 20 shots (9 on target) compared to Stoke's 8 (1 on target), underlining their control and superior offensive output. Callum Brittain's 48th-minute opener and Will Lankshear's 73rd-minute strike were the decisive contributions, with Stoke's goals coming via an own goal and a late Róbert Boženík consolation.

The key divergence was clinical finishing: Middlesbrough converted 3 of their 9 on-target efforts (33% conversion rate), while Stoke relied on defensive errors and managed just 1 shot on goal all game. Boro's 16 shots inside the box to Stoke's 5 further emphasised their territorial control. The defining stat was Middlesbrough's 2.63 xG – their ability to create higher-quality chances ultimately separated the sides.