Lamine Cisse stunner earns Stoke FA Cup success over slumping Coventry

Lamine Cisse scored a stunning 88th-minute winner as 2011 FA Cup runners-up Stoke stunned Championship leaders Coventry 1-0 at the bet365 Stadium.

The home side wasted good chances in the opening half and 1987 winners Coventry hit the woodwork twice in the second.

But with the tie heading for extra time, Cisse scored a spectacular long-range effort – his first goal for the club – to extend Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues’ winless run to four matches.

Mark Robins’ side certainly deserved their third successive win of 2026, missing two sitters and creating several other decent chances in the first half.

Million Manhoef failed to convert a one-on-one with goalkeeper Ben Wilson after eight minutes and striker Divin Mubama volleyed over from four yards in first-half stoppage time.

In response, 2024 semi-finalists Coventry only managed a Haji Wright blocked shot and another by Tottenham loanee and debutant Yang Min-hyeok which was deflected for a corner.

Stoke continued to set the tempo in the second half with Tomas Rigo forcing another stop from Wilson and skipper Ben Wilmot heading wide.

But Coventry’s near 5,000 fans in a crowd of 13,894 should have celebrated a 64th-minute goal.

Instead, newcomer Romain Esse’s cross was headed against an upright from two yards by American ace Wright.

Min-hyeok then forced Tommy Simkin into a 69th-minute save before Jack Rudoni’s deflected effort again struck a Stoke post.

With 18 minutes remaining Lampard brought on Ephron Mason-Clark, Ellis Simms and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto as Coventry looked to force a winner.

Four minutes later Stoke introduced top scorer Sorba Thomas as one third of their own triple change.

Substitute Sam Gallagher was offside when he did put the ball in the net before Cisse’s late stunner settled the game and earned Stoke a first FA Cup victory over their visitors.