Stoke City Advances in FA Cup with Late Cisse Goal

Stoke City Advances in FA Cup with Late Cisse Goal

Stoke City Advances in FA Cup with Late Cisse Goal

Lamine Cisse's stunning late goal propelled Stoke City into the fourth round of the FA Cup, defeating Championship rivals Coventry City at the Bet365 Stadium.

The Frenchman scored a spectacular half-volley from 25 yards with just two minutes left on the clock, clinching victory for Stoke in a match that was highly entertaining despite a lack of goals.

Both goalkeepers were kept busy throughout the match, with Haji Wright and Jack Rudoni both hitting the post for Coventry, who are experiencing a mid-season slump under manager Frank Lampard against their former boss Mark Robins.

The first significant chance of the match came within the opening ten minutes, falling to Stoke winger Million Manhoef, who shot wide after being set up by Tomas Rigo.

Coventry dominated possession early on, but it was the hosts who created more defensive concerns when Cisse connected with Manhoef's free-kick, only for team-mate Divin Mubama's follow-up effort to be blocked on the line.

Coventry, who had narrowly defeated Stoke 1-0 in their previous league encounter in November, struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half, with only recent loan signing Yang Min-hyeok managing to curl an effort wide.

The Potters appeared more threatening and should have taken the lead before half-time when Mubama, from close range, could only send the ball over the crossbar.

Coventry improved their performance significantly at the start of the second half, but they required goalkeeper Ben Wilson to be alert to deny Rigo's powerful shot, just moments before Ben Wilmot headed just wide of the far post.

Romain Esse, another recent addition, excited the visiting fans when he skillfully evaded Maksym Talovierov and set up Wright at the back post, only for the American to crash his header against the woodwork.

The Sky Blues came close to breaking the deadlock again when Rudoni's shot from the edge of the penalty area deflected off defender Ashley Phillips and struck the post.

However, Stoke capitalized on Coventry's inability to convert their chances, sealing their progression just as extra time seemed imminent. Cisse, having been fouled in the build-up, rejoined the attack and struck beyond Wilson to secure the win.

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