STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (Interstat) — Million Manhoef scored twice to power Stoke City to a 3-1 comeback victory over Watford in the English Championship on Saturday at bet365 Stadium, defying pregame projections and leveling the clubs’ season records.

The match, played on March 14, 2026, saw the home side overcome an early deficit with a rapid three-goal flurry in the second half. The result pushed both teams to identical 12-13-12 records in league play this season, a testament to the competitive and congested nature of the second-tier division.

Watford, which entered the match as a slight favorite according to Interstat’s ELO system with a 53.7% win probability, initially seemed poised to validate that status. The visitors controlled much of the first-half tempo and were rewarded in the 28th minute when Manhoef, the Stoke forward, found his own net, putting Watford ahead with an own goal.

The first half was a physical, stop-start affair, with four yellow cards issued before the break. Watford’s Tomas Rigo was booked in the 17th minute, followed by a quick succession of cautions for Watford’s Sorba Thomas and Nampalys Mendy in the 50th and 51st minutes, respectively. Stoke’s Maksym Talovierov joined them in the book in the 60th minute.

The game’s complexion transformed dramatically in a dizzying eight-minute span late in the second half. Manhoef redeemed his earlier mistake by netting the equalizer for Stoke in the 77th minute. Just four minutes later, the comeback was complete as Nestory Irankunda put the Potters ahead 2-1. Thomas was credited with the assist on the go-ahead goal, a key performance in the turnaround.

Stoke sealed the victory in the 85th minute through a goal from Sam Gallagher, completing a stunning offensive outburst that overwhelmed the Watford defense. The late drama continued as Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin received a yellow card in the 72nd minute, and Irankunda was also cautioned in stoppage time.

The final score of 3-1 stood in stark contrast to the 1-1 draw projected by Interstat’s game simulator, highlighting an unpredictable Championship contest. The victory allowed Stoke to exact a measure of revenge for a 1-0 loss at Watford back on Dec. 20, 2025.

With the win, Stoke City halted a two-match winless streak in the league, having drawn with Ipswich Town and lost to Swansea City in its previous two outings. Watford, meanwhile, saw its four-match unbeaten run in all competitions come to an end. The Hornets had gone 2-0-2 since their last defeat on Feb. 24.

The result leaves both clubs squarely in the mid-table of the Championship as the season enters its final months. Watford will look to rebound quickly with a home match against Wrexham on Tuesday, March 17. Stoke City’s next league fixture is not until April 3, when it hosts Sheffield Wednesday, giving the squad an extended break to build on this momentum.