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Wales international Sorba Thomas scored his fourth goal for Stoke City since joining the Potters in the summer Stoke City ended a four-game winless run as Wales international Sorba Thomas' deflected cross was enough to sink an under-par Wrexham. In a scrappy contest, Thomas' 36th-minute delivery proved the difference between in what was credited as the winger's fourth goal of the season. Wales' team-mate Kieffer Moore may well have had the final, decisive touch on the ball as it beat Arthur Oknonkwo on its way to the far corner. But with Wrexham unable to eradicate errors in their game, it was all that was needed for Stoke to pick up only a third home win of the season. The result lifts the Potters into third in the table while Wrexham, who suffered a first defeat in five league games, stay 18th, but only three points off the bottom. Sorba Thomas' deflected cross was enough to sink an under-par Wrexham It may have been different had they made the most of a golden opportunity early on when Ryan Longman hit the side netting from an unmarked position on 21 minutes after a well-worked Wrexham counter. It suggested the visitors would find more joy given the chance came from pacey wing-back's Issa Kabore's first venture into the Potters' half, his shot stinging the hands of Viktor Johansson. But after fluffing another opening when Lewis O'Brien was played through, the visitors found themselves defending deeper again. And as Thomas swung a cross in from the Stoke right, Moore's attempted clearance nicked under his boot with the bounce beating goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo at the far post. With England Under-21s striker Divin Mubama causing Wrexham problems – and Dom Hyam needing to block well from one chance – Phil Parkinson made a series of changes to try to force a way back into the game. It had little initial impact, with Million Manoef seeing an effort from inside the box strike the crossbar after a poor pass from Max Cleworth. Aaron Creswell did have to put a ball over his own crossbar after a cross from the returning Libby Cacace, but – despite Thomas seeing a big chance to wrap thwarted things up – Stoke saw the game out for the win. There had been the sense Wrexham had been steadily finding their feet in the Championship going into the international window. Without a defeat in four, there had been growing signs of the summer rebuild starting to take shape as a side. Conversely, after an eye-catching start, Stoke had slipped a little, dropping points, dropping down the table - and only scoring twice in their four games without success. It was evident early who had benefited from the break. Wrexham looked lethargic and inaccurate with passes, with Lewis O'Brien – one of Parkinson's best performers this term – uncharacteristically sloppy. With Issa Kabore contained, they lacked the ability to get up the pitch quick enough – and when they did were guilty of unforced errors. Stoke, on the other hand, were comfortable taking their time in possession and waiting for opportunities against deep-sitting opposition. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said his side were "punished by a bit of slackness" Several came through the avenue of Thomas, who looks to be loving life this season, he has looked a player reborn with club and country. Before the game, statisticians had labelled him the Championship's most creative player in terms of chances and goal creations. He can add another one to that tally, whether it was meant for the back of the net or not. The irony will not be lost on Wrexham fans who saw the Wales winger deliver via his international team-mate's boot, nor will his celebrations have gone down well with the travelling contingent from north Wales. Stoke's support, on the other hand, lapped it up. It had been ponderous at times from the Potters, but that breakthrough – albeit a lucky one – eased tension in a 27, 254-crowd. And the frustration will have been all Phil Parkinson's, who will have known his side were authors of their own downfall with several individuals guilty of poor performances. Mark Robins will hope that the win lifts them back up the table and boosts confidence levels about a first real promotion push since relegation from the Premier League seven years ago, while Parkinson might take solace from the fact his side are capable of more. Stoke City manager Mark Robins: "I thought we played all right. We gave up a big chance in the first half and we were relieved they didn't take it because it was an open goal. It was a let off but we were good value for the win. We played against a side with a lot of momentum and are managed well, so they are very tough to play against. "There is a lot of little things still missing like the decision-making, the weight of pass, nuanced things that if we can improve it will make a big difference. "Defensively we did everything we needed and we have three points going into two away games. "It's exciting because I know the bonds are there and there is the making of a very good team. " This video can not be played Mark Robins: ‘We attacked well’ Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson: "I thought the first-half we were decent well structured, we looked dangerous and had some great moments, but we didn't take them. "I felt at half time that if we kept playing the same way that more opportunities would come, but I felt we didn't show enough consistency in our quality and our decision making in that second period, because we have spaced the play and we made too many kind of wrong decisions. It was costly for us. "The games are so tight at this level and it comes down to key moments in games; we had the key moments in the first period and we didn't take them and we got punished by a bit of slackness, but I felt it was a game we should have got something out of. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 18th October 2025 at 19: 49 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: Phil Parkinson Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Mark Robins Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Phil Parkinson Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions This will be the first Football League meeting between Stoke City and Wrexham since a 1-0 win for the Potters in April 2002, with Andy Cooke scoring the winner in that third tier encounter. In the Football League, Wrexham have lost 11 of their 12 games against Stoke City, with their only win coming on the road in February 1999 (3-1). Stoke’s 92% win ratio against Wrexham in the Football League (11 wins in 12 meetings) is the second-best of any side in Football League history against an opponent they’ve faced 10+ times – only Man Utd vs Wigan (94%, 15 wins in 16 games) have a better ratio. Wrexham have drawn each of their last three games, drawing all of them 1-1 against Derby, Leicester and Birmingham. They last had a longer run of draws in the Football League in November/December 1999 (6 in a row). Stoke’s Sorba Thomas has created the most chances in the Championship this season (25), also creating the most chances in open play (19). He’s assisted four of Stoke’s 11 league goals in 2025-26. Match ends, Stoke City 1, Wrexham 0. Second Half ends, Stoke City 1, Wrexham 0. Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Arthur Okonkwo. Attempt saved. Lamine Cissé (Stoke City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham). Assisted by Lewis Baker. Attempt saved. Sorba Thomas (Stoke City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham). Assisted by Róbert Bozeník. Offside, Stoke City. Róbert Bozeník is caught offside. Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Ben Wilmot (Stoke City) is shown the yellow card. Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Lewis O'Brien. Lamine Cissé (Stoke City) is shown the yellow card. Offside, Stoke City. Lamine Cissé is caught offside. Attempt saved. Sam Smith (Wrexham) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Viktor Johansson (Stoke City). Assisted by Callum Doyle. Substitution, Wrexham. Sam Smith replaces Dominic Hyam. Foul by Róbert Bozeník (Stoke City). Josh Windass (Wrexham) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Substitution, Stoke City. Steven Nzonzi replaces Tatsuki Seko. Substitution, Stoke City. Lamine Cissé replaces Million Manhoef. Lewis Baker (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Josh Windass (Wrexham). Corner, Wrexham. Conceded by Aaron Cresswell. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.