Thomas strike earns Stoke point against Norwich

Sorba Thomas (right) joined Stoke from Huddersfield in the summer after spending last season on loan in France with Nantes

Sorba Thomas' third goal of the season was enough to secure a point for Stoke City at home to Norwich in the Championship.

The forward's finish cancelled out Jovon Makama's first-half opener against the run of play for Liam Manning's Canaries, who remain undefeated on their travels this season in four games away from Carrow Road.

Mark Robins' Potters drop to third in the table after a first draw of the campaign, but maintain their run of not conceding more than once in a league game in 2025-26.

Stoke's last home victory over Norwich came when the two sides were in the Premier League, almost 10 years ago.

Before kick-off all seven of Norwich's points so far this season had come away from home, and they left the bet365 Stadium having had to work hard to keep that unbeaten record on their travels going.

From the off they were under pressure, and Harry Darling had to be alert to snuff out an early sight of goal for Million Manhoef.

The visitors found it difficult to contain Manhoef early on, though Divin Mubama's header from the winger's cross failed to trouble Vladen Kovacevic.

When the Norwich keeper was beaten, he had Jakov Medic to thank, clearing off the line as Bae Jun-Ho's effort was heading for the net.

The opener came from a rare Norwich foray forward. A smart one-touch move through the midfield sent Jack Stacey away, and the full-back's clever cross was turned home by Makama - the striker's second goal in as many games.

Stoke's response in the second half was instant. A quick break left Manhoef with a shooting opportunity and, after the midfielder's shot was saved, it fell for Thomas to fire home into the top corner on the spin from eight yards out.

The visitors briefly threatened to regain the advantage when Liam Gibbs' effort struck the crossbar, but thereafter all the action came when the home side had possession.

Norwich again had players on the line to thank for preserving the draw when captain Kenny McLean kept out Bae's header.

Kovacevic had to be alert to keep out Tomas Rigo's long-range effort, and the woodwork came to the visitors' rescue when Manhoef let fly from the edge of the area.

Norwich's one chance to snatch a surprise late winner came when top scorer Josh Sargent found himself clean through, only for Viktor Johansson to deny the United States international a seventh goal of the campaign.

Back at the other end, goalscorer Thomas almost turned provider for substitute Lamine Cisse late on, but the flick was just too high to get the home fans out of their seats for a dramatic finale.

'The most dominant we have been' - reaction

Stoke manager Mark Robins told BBC Radio Stoke:

"From minute one we were really good, we looked dangerous and I thought we deserved more.

"We were in the ascendancy from the off and to a man we were outstanding, that is probably the most dominant we have been in games this season. They were hanging on, the only downside was we didn't take the three points.

"I thought we worked really hard, it is just the fine details we need to tighten up in the final third. We have had a lot of chances to go out and win the game.

"We had one brief spell of making stupid decisions, which gave them an opening and they took advantage."

Norwich boss Liam Manning told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"We know this is a difficult place to come. I wanted to see a reaction from last week and we started a bit nervy, before we settled and started to show some control.

"We scored a fantastic goal after a moment of high quality, but we need to get better managing games when we are ahead.

"It was frustrating to concede so early again at the start of the second half because you give them a lift and momentum, and then we ended up defending for large parts of the second half.

"We have to be braver and [have a] tougher mentality to take care of the ball, but I know that will improve. There were a lot more positives than last week, and more promising signs."