Stoke City vs Bradford City – Bradford Stun Stoke 3-0 Away

Bradford City produced a commanding away performance to defeat Championship side Stoke City 3-0 in the Carabao Cup second round on 26 August 2025, with goals from Will Swan, Brad Halliday and George Lapslie securing a memorable upset at the bet365 Stadium.

The League Two visitors took control early and never looked back, adding to their growing reputation as giant-killers after eliminating Blackburn Rovers in the previous round. Stoke, who had started the season with four consecutive wins, had no answer to Bradford’s disciplined and clinical approach.

The result sent a clear signal about the depth of quality in the lower leagues and raised questions about Stoke’s cup ambitions under the lights in Stoke-on-Trent. For a full overview of the competition, check the Carabao Cup 2025/26 Full Results.

Stoke City vs Bradford City Match Results

Key Insights from the Match

• Bradford City, a League Two side, stunned Championship opponents Stoke City with a dominant 3-0 away win.
• Stoke City had started the season with four consecutive victories before this heavy defeat.
• Bradford City also knocked out Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the first round, marking a pattern of cup giant-killing.
• This was only the second meeting between the two clubs since 2003; Stoke had won the previous two encounters.
• Bradford scored three unanswered goals across both halves, leaving Stoke unable to respond.
• Stoke failed to register a goal at home despite fielding a competitive lineup.
• Bradford carried an unbeaten start to the season into this match, building momentum from their earlier cup success.

Quick Facts: Stoke City vs Bradford City

Stoke City vs Bradford City Stats and Head-to-Head Record

The historical record between Stoke City and Bradford City is limited. According to data from 11v11.com, the two clubs had met only twice since 2003 before this fixture, with Stoke winning both of those encounters. That makes Bradford’s 3-0 victory at the bet365 Stadium their first win over Stoke in the modern era.

The match statistics from the available boxscore data show that Bradford received two yellow cards while Stoke received none. No red cards were issued. Possession, shots on target and corner counts were not clearly populated in the initial match box, so those figures should be treated with caution until confirmed by an official match report.

This was only the second competitive meeting between Stoke City and Bradford City in more than two decades. Stoke had won the previous two games, making Bradford’s win at the bet365 Stadium a notable first for the Bantams in this fixture.

Stoke City vs Bradford City Lineups and Highlights

Stoke City Starting XI

• Jack Bonham
• Maksym Talovierov
• Ashley Phillips
• Eric Bocat
• Jaden Mears
• Jamie Donley
• Bosun Lawal
• Tatsuki Seko
• Ben Pearson
• Róbert Bozeník
• Chinonso Chibueze
• Favour Fawunmi

Stoke’s substitutes included Sorba Thomas, Frank Fielding, Junior Tchamadeu, Bae Jun-Ho, Million Manhoef and Lewis Baker.

Bradford City Starting XI

The Stoke City starting XI was clearly reported, but the Bradford City starting lineup was not fully available from the match data. The goal scorers — Will Swan, Brad Halliday and George Lapslie — were all confirmed as part of the matchday squad. For a complete lineup, official confirmation from Bradford City AFC or the EFL match centre is recommended.

Match Highlights Timeline

1. 12′ – Will Swan scores to put Bradford 1–0 up.
2. 31′ – Brad Halliday extends the lead to 2–0.
3. 45′ – Half-time: Stoke City 0, Bradford City 2.
4. 62′ – George Lapslie makes it 3–0 for Bradford.
5. 90’+4′ – Stoke’s Jamie Donley has a late attempt missed, underlining Stoke’s frustration.
6. 90’+5′ – Final whistle: Stoke City 0, Bradford City 3.

Bradford’s three first-half goals inside the opening 31 minutes effectively decided the tie before the interval. Stoke could not recover, and the visitors controlled the remainder of the match with composure and discipline.

Stoke City vs Bradford City Prediction and Preview

Pre-match expectations heavily favoured Stoke City. The Championship side had won all four of their opening matches of the 2025/26 season and were playing at home against a League Two opponent. Bradford City, however, had already shown their cup credentials by beating Blackburn Rovers 2–1 away in the first round, as noted on the Bradford City AFC official website.

The Stoke City FC official match pack published the day before the game reflected a confident home side preparing for a routine cup tie. But Bradford’s tactical discipline and ability to exploit defensive gaps changed the narrative entirely.

Stoke’s four-match winning streak may have contributed to a degree of overconfidence, while Bradford carried significant momentum from their Blackburn upset. Championship teams often rotate in early cup rounds, which may have played a role in the outcome, though Stoke fielded a strong starting XI.

What Was the Timeline of Key Events in the Match?

The match followed a clear pattern: Bradford struck early, doubled their lead before the break, and sealed the win in the second half. Stoke pushed for a response in the closing stages but managed only a late missed attempt from Jamie Donley in stoppage time. The full timeline of goals and key moments is listed above under the highlights section.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About the Match?

How Did Bradford City Manage to Win 3-0 Away from Home?

Bradford City’s victory can be attributed to a disciplined tactical approach that exploited Stoke’s defensive frailties. The visitors scored twice inside the opening 31 minutes, putting Stoke on the back foot early. Bradford’s ability to maintain composure and structure after taking the lead allowed them to absorb pressure and strike again in the second half.

Stoke, despite their strong league form, appeared unable to adjust. The gap between the Championship and League Two was not evident on the night. Bradford’s earlier upset over Blackburn Rovers in the first round demonstrated that they are comfortable playing against higher-division opposition, and they carried that confidence into this match.

The result highlights the unpredictability of the Carabao Cup and the depth of quality in the lower leagues. Championship teams often rotate in early cup ties, and while Stoke did not make wholesale changes, the intensity required to match a motivated lower-league side may have been underestimated.

Where Can Fans Find Official Match Reports and Highlights?

For a detailed minute-by-minute account of the match, the BBC Sport live report provides authoritative coverage. The EFL official website carries competition-wide results and the Carabao Cup bracket. Post-match reaction from managers is typically published on the official club websites of Stoke City and Bradford City.

Highlights are usually made available on the EFL’s official YouTube channel and via BBC Sport shortly after the final whistle. At the time of writing, no direct quote from either manager had been published in the available sources.

What Was the Significance of Stoke City vs Bradford City?

This match will be remembered as one of the notable upsets of the 2025-26 Carabao Cup, with a League Two side travelling to a Championship team that had won four consecutive matches and leaving with a clean 3-0 victory. For Bradford, it continues a promising cup run that began with the defeat of Blackburn Rovers. For Stoke, it serves as an early-season reality check. Both teams now return to league action, with Stoke aiming to bounce back in the Championship and Bradford looking to carry their cup momentum into their League Two campaign. For more on the broader competition, see the Carabao Cup 2025/26 Full Results.

Frequently Asked Questions