On a crisp Tuesday night under the floodlights at the bet365 Stadium, Stoke City turned football on its head with a 3-0 demolition of Charlton Athletic — all three goals coming in the first 34 minutes, and two of them from a winger who didn’t even mean to score. Sorba Thomas, the Welsh left-back-turned-winger wearing number 13, became the unlikely hero of the night, netting two goals that defenders, goalkeepers, and analysts are still trying to explain. The final whistle, blown by referee Tom Nield before a crowd of 21,105, sent Stoke to second place in the Sky Bet Championship with 30 points from 17 matches, while Charlton’s playoff hopes grew dimmer by the minute.
Goals That Defied Logic
The first goal, in the third minute, looked like a routine cross. Thomas, drifting wide on the left, whipped the ball toward the far post — only for it to curve violently, curling over the outstretched arms of Charlton keeper Thomas Kaminski and nestling into the top-right corner. Officially listed as a "long-range left-footed shot," it was anything but. No one in the stadium breathed until it hit the net. "I was aiming for the near post," Thomas admitted post-match. "I didn’t even see where the keeper was. It just did its own thing."
The second goal, five minutes later, was even more controversial. Million Manhoef, the Dutch midfielder, slotted home from the center of the box after a slick one-two with Thomas. But Charlton manager Nathan Jones was apoplectic. "It was a clear foul in the build-up," he told reporters. "The ball was pulled back illegally — you could see it on replay. The ref didn’t see it. And now we’re two down before we’ve had a proper chance to play."
Then came the third. In the 31st minute, Bae Jun-Ho surged forward from midfield, bypassed two defenders, and fired a low cross into the six-yard box. Thomas, this time with his right foot, guided the ball past Kaminski — a deliberate, clinical finish. "That one I meant," he grinned. "The first two? That was luck. This one? That was work."
A Defense That Doesn’t Bend
What made Stoke’s win even more impressive was how little Charlton managed to threaten after the 34th minute. The Stoke City backline — now the best in the Championship after 17 matches — held firm. Seven clean sheets this season. Zero goals conceded in their last four home games. Viktor Johansson, the Swedish goalkeeper, made two vital saves — one off a thunderous drive from Liberian defender Junior Tchamadeu — and looked calm throughout.
Charlton, meanwhile, looked like a team running on fumes. Their 3-4-2-1 formation collapsed after the early goals. Midfielder Luke Berry volleyed wide. Forward Miles Leaburn’s shot was comfortably saved. Their only real momentum came from Tyreece Campbell’s crosses, which were either blocked or cleared. "We became a containment exercise," Jones said. "Not a team trying to win. That’s not who we are."
Table Turmoil and Playoff Dreams
The win lifted Stoke to 30 points, level with Middlesbrough, but ahead on goal difference (+13 vs. +4). Only Coventry City — with 40 points and a +30 goal difference — stood above them. For Charlton, the reality was harsh: 14th place, 30 points behind the leaders, and three points from the final playoff spot. Their defensive collapse is becoming alarming. Eight goals conceded in their last two first-half periods alone. Five of those came from set-pieces or sloppy individual errors.
Stoke’s home form is now a fortress. Five wins from eight matches at the bet365 Stadium this season. Their next challenge? A trip to Middlesbrough — another top-six contender — on December 6. "We’re not just here to make up the numbers," said Stoke manager Mark Robins. "We’re here to push."
What’s Next for the Addicks?
Charlton’s next fixture is a nightmare: away at Coventry City on Saturday, November 29, at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Coventry have won 12 of their 17 games. They’ve scored 40 goals. They’ve conceded just 10. For Charlton, it’s not just about points — it’s about pride. "We’re not out of it," Jones insisted. "But we have to fix the basics. If we keep conceding like that, we’ll be fighting relegation before Christmas."
Meanwhile, Sorba Thomas’ name is trending. Two goals in one night — one accidental, one brilliant — and a performance that’s turned him from a defensive afterthought into a Championship talking point. "I’m not sure if I’m a winger or a magician," he joked after the game. "But I’ll take the points."
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sorba Thomas score two goals from crosses?
Thomas’ first goal was an unintentional curling left-footed cross from the left flank that curved sharply over goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski into the top corner — officially recorded as a long-range shot. His second was a deliberate, right-footed in-swinging cross from Bae Jun-Ho’s pass, which he guided into the bottom corner. Both were credited as goals, not assists, because the ball went directly into the net without another player touching it after the initial delivery.
Why is Stoke City’s defense considered the best in the Championship?
After 17 matches, Stoke have kept seven clean sheets — the most in the league. They’ve conceded only 12 goals, the fewest among the top eight teams. Their compact shape, disciplined full-backs, and Viktor Johansson’s consistent performances have made them the hardest side to break down. Only Coventry and Middlesbrough have conceded fewer, but Stoke have played the same number of games and face tougher opposition at home.
What’s the significance of Stoke reaching second place?
Second place puts Stoke in direct contention for automatic promotion to the Premier League — the top two teams go up automatically. With 30 points and a +13 goal difference, they’re now just 10 points behind leaders Coventry City. If they maintain their form, especially at home, they could become the first Stoke side since 2018 to earn promotion without a playoff.
How have injuries impacted Charlton Athletic’s performance?
Charlton have lost key midfielders and defenders to long-term injuries, forcing manager Nathan Jones to rotate inexperienced players. Their last two matches saw them concede eight goals in the first half alone — a sign of defensive disorganization. Their starting center-back pair has changed in three of the last five games, and their best striker, Ryan Taylor, remains sidelined with a hamstring strain.
Could Tom Nield’s missed foul change the outcome of the match?
While the foul on Million Manhoef’s goal was clear on video replay, referees aren’t held accountable for missed calls unless they’re deemed "clear and obvious" under VAR guidelines — and VAR wasn’t used in this match. Even if the goal had been disallowed, Stoke still would have led 1-0 after Thomas’ first goal and maintained control. The bigger issue for Charlton was their inability to respond mentally after conceding so early.
What’s the historical context of Stoke City’s current form?
Stoke’s last promotion to the Premier League came in 2008, and they’ve spent most of the last decade in mid-table obscurity. This season’s rise — with a solid defense, emerging talents like Bae Jun-Ho and Manhoef, and Thomas’ unexpected offensive output — marks their strongest campaign since 2017-18. If they finish in the top two, it would be their highest league finish in 15 years.