Stoke City U21 claimed a narrow 2-1 home win over Nottingham Forest U21 in the English U21 Premier League on September 23, 2025. The Potters' young side showed resilience to secure three points in a closely fought battle. Stoke took an early lead, but Nottingham Forest grew into the game and found an equalizer before the interval. The second half was a cagey affair, with both teams creating chances. The decisive moment came in the 70th minute when Stoke City capitalized on a defensive mistake to score what proved to be the winner. Forest pushed for a second equalizer but found Stoke's defense in stubborn form. The victory provided a welcome boost for Stoke U21, moving them clear of the lower reaches of the table. The Stoke manager highlighted his team's work ethic, while the Forest coach pointed to a lack of concentration at key moments.