Middlesbrough produced another stirring comeback to inflict a first defeat of 2026 on Stoke City's previously miserly defence, overturning a half-time deficit to win 2-1 and claim a third successive league victory. Tomas Rigo's first goal in 21 appearances for the Potters gave the hosts a deserved interval lead, but Alan Browne and Tommy Conway struck within 11 second-half minutes to turn the game on its head.
The result, achieved despite an uneven first half and a nerve-shredding finale, lifted Kim Hellberg's side above Ipswich Town into second place in the table, six points behind leaders Coventry. For Stoke, who had gone into the game as the second tier's meanest defence with four straight clean sheets in 2026, the collapse of their record and Bosun Lawal's late red card marked a bitter end to a night that had promised so much.
Rigo's Breakthrough Caps Stoke's Assured First Half
With their sights set on the play-off places, Stoke began with conviction and quickly seized the initiative. The breakthrough came when Middlesbrough defender Matt Targett conceded possession in an apparently harmless area. The loose ball found Slovakian midfielder Tomas Rigo, who was allowed room to step forward and unleash a low, skidding drive from around 20 yards. Sol Brynn got down to the shot but could not push it away, and the ball crept into the net for Rigo's long-awaited first goal in Stoke colours.