FootyChatter.com

Adam Forshaw (left) scored after 21 minutes to give Blackburn Rovers the lead at Stoke City Blackburn Rovers extended their unbeaten run to five games to move four points clear of the Championship relegation zone after a 1-1 draw against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium. Adam Forshaw put the visitors in front in the first half before Jesurun Rak-Sakyi hit back for the hosts early on in the second half. Mark Robins' side was reduced to 10 men when Ashley Phillips was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card late on. The Potters harboured play-off hopes earlier in the season, but the draw means they now sit 15th, with four games of the Championship season remaining. Stoke had the first sight of goal inside nine minutes as Million Manhoef curled an effort just wide after good build-up play on the left between Eric Bocat and Sorba Thomas. But after 21 minutes, Blackburn struck as Forshaw converted well from the edge of the area after being set up by Ryan Alebiosu. Balazs Toth denied Sam Gallagher an equaliser six minutes later after he was found by Rak-Sakyi. With half-time looming, Alebiosu hung the ball up to the back post, but Yuki Ohashi could not guide his header on target. Stoke levelled four minutes before the hour mark when Rak-Sakyi applied a close-range finish to Manhoef's byeline cross. Soon after, Rak-Sakyi was found by Lewis Baker but fired wide, squandering an opportunity to complete a turnaround. Both sides pushed for a winner. At one end, Baker fired over, while a deflected Todd Cantwell cross forced Gavin Bazunu into action at the other. Stoke's frustration was compounded when Phillips was dismissed for a second bookable offence after a challenge on Ohashi. Stoke City manager Mark Robins told BBC Radio Stoke: "We started off not great because the conditions were really difficult. "I said before we had to be patient. Michael O'Neill was going to come and make sure Blackburn push every button they possibly can to make sure we frustrate the crowd because we don't move the ball enough. "We want to try and be brave. There are positional things that happen that don't feel comfortable, but you have to be uncomfortable at times. "First half, we didn't do enough, so we gave them some impetus. Their goal, we didn't get the press right at all, you've got to win your duels. Those are the non-negotiables. "What I was pleased about was we kept playing and we got the equaliser. I thought we were well worthy of it and were the only team trying to win it. " This video can not be played Robins: 'We've got to try and get that level of consistency' Blackburn manager Michael O'Neill told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Every point is important at this point in time. We'll take it. "Having been ahead, you hope you can protect your lead. We didn't do that and rode our luck before half-time, to be honest. "It was a poor goal to lose but the reaction at 1-1 was good. We knew we'd be under pressure in the second half. "As the game progressed we looked like we could create something but ultimately we'll take the point. " This video can not be played O'Neill: 'Every point's important at this moment' After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Last Updated 11th April 2026 at 16: 58 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Mark Robins Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Michael O'Neill Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Mark Robins Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Michael O'Neill Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions None of Stoke’s last 15 home league games against Blackburn have finished level, with the Potters winning nine and losing six. Blackburn have alternated between victory (3) and defeat (3) in their last six away league games against Stoke, losing 1-0 in this exact fixture last season. Stoke have won their last two home league games – the Potters haven’t won three on the bounce at home since April/August 2024, while in the same season they last did so in August/September 2021 under current Blackburn boss Michael O’Neill. Blackburn Rovers have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three league games, last going four without conceding in November/December 2024 (a run of five). Stoke City’s Sorba Thomas is the only player with both 10 goals and 10 assists in the Championship this season. The last player to achieve that in a league season (excl. play-offs) under manager Mark Robins was current Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres in 2022-23 at Coventry (21 goals, 10 assists). Match ends, Stoke City 1, Blackburn Rovers 1. Second Half ends, Stoke City 1, Blackburn Rovers 1. Attempt saved. Eiran Cashin (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Gavin Bazunu (Stoke City). Assisted by Taylor Gardner-Hickman. Bosun Lawal (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Dion De Neve (Blackburn Rovers). Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Nathan Redmond replaces Yuri Ribeiro. Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Dion De Neve replaces Ryoya Morishita. Lewis Baker (Stoke City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Ben Pearson (Stoke City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Handball by Ben Pearson (Stoke City). Attempt blocked. Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sean Mc Loughlin with a headed pass. Second yellow card to Ashley Phillips (Stoke City) for a bad foul. Foul by Ashley Phillips (Stoke City). Yuki Ohashi (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick on the left wing. Substitution, Stoke City. Bae Jun-Ho replaces Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. Attempt saved. Lamine Cissé (Stoke City) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner by Balázs Tóth (Blackburn Rovers). Assisted by Bosun Lawal. Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Eiran Cashin. Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Sean Mc Loughlin. Foul by Ben Pearson (Stoke City). Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.