The Premier League 2 encounter between Stoke City U21 and Brighton and Hove Albion U21 on February 19, 2024, was a thrilling contest that saw Stoke City edge out their opponents with a narrow 4-3 victory. The edge of the seat battle was characterized by the home team's efficiency in front of the goal and their strident defensive play that neutralized Brighton's offensive thrusts.

Stoke City U21 scored four goals from essentially fewer corner kicks (4) compared to Brighton's three goals from three corner kicks. This highlights the home side's effectiveness in converting their set-piece opportunities into goals.

On the other hand, Brighton U21, despite scoring the first goal of the match in the first half's 11th minute, couldn't hold onto their lead due to a lack of control in the midfield and an inability to deal with Stoke City's potent attack. They eventually conceded three more goals, two of them in quick succession in the second half, which seized momentum in favour of the home side.

A major chunk of the game seemed to revolve around the midfield battle, with bouts of aggressive play, evidenced by a total of three yellow cards. Brighton were the more indisciplined side with two yellow cards compared to Stoke City's one. These infractions, particularly the second yellow card in the second half, disrupted Brighton's rhythm, limiting their ability to counteract or regain control of the match.

In addition to their efficient utilization of set pieces, Stoke City seemed to be more successful in evading Brighton's offside trap as they registered more offsides (4) compared to the away side's two. This tactic seemed to create chances behind Brighton's defensive line and put a constant threat on their goalkeeper.

Overall, Stoke City U21's win can be attributed to their superior tactical approach, efficiency in front of the goal, and disciplined defensive performance. This, coupled with Brighton's inability to maintain control and discipline, tilted the game in the home side's favour. The data indicates that aggressive play, control over set pieces, and well-executed offside strategies could be determining factors in such closely contested matches.

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