Republic of Ireland international Tom Cannon scored four goals as Stoke thrashed Portsmouth 6-1 to give new boss Narcis Pelach an emphatic first Championship win as Potters boss.
The on-loan Leicester striker had not previously scored in the league since his double for the Foxes on New Year's Day.
But the 21-year-old, who won his first Boys in Green cap in a friendly against Portugal in June, netted his first two goals for the club and Sam Gallagher also opened his account as City led 3-1 at half-time.
And, as City went goal crazy with five in a 10-minute spell either side of the break, he added two more, including a contentious 48th-minute penalty.
Brighton loanee and Ireland international Andrew Moran also got in the act with Stoke's sixth after Moran's Seagulls' team-mate and fellow Irish Under-21 player Mark O'Mahony equalised for John Mousinho's side after 29 minutes.
Portsmouth's defeat set an unwanted post-war record of eight league games without a win at the start of a new campaign.
Cannon fired City in front after 13 minutes. Marlon Pack was penalised for fouling Gallagher and the former Everton forward curled in the resulting free-kick past Will Norris.
The Pompey goalie played a big role in his side's equaliser in the 29th minute. His quick throw freed Jacob Murphy whose rapid run and burst through Lewis Koumas and Stevens saw him tee-up ex-Cork City striker O'Mahony.
That was as good as it got for Pompey. Two minutes before half-time Gallagher's pass played in Cannon to shoot left footed beyond Norris.
Stoke were only warming up and Moran seized on Norris' dismal pass before assisting for ex-Blackburn striker Gallagher to rocket home from 20 yards.
Norris' nightmare night continued when he was adjudged to have fouled
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