CITY ARE A CUT ABOVE TO CRUSH CHARLTON

SORBA Thomas scored twice from wide on the left wing to give goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski nightmares in an emphatic 3-0 win for Stoke City over Charlton.

- Peter Smith

Thomas got a first-half brace either side of a Million Manhoef goal in a comfortable victory that keeps Stoke holding their own at the top of the table and condemned Nathan Jones to a miserable return to the Potteries.

Winger Thomas now has six goals and five assists in his first 17 league appearances for Stoke, who leapfrog Middlesbrough into second spot in the Championship.

Mark Robins had made four changes, bringing in Eric Bocat at left-back and putting Steven Nzonzi and Tatsuki Seko in central midfield, as he had used in the last midweek game at Oxford. Robert Bozenik was also picked up front for his fifth start of the season, all on Tuesday nights.

Aaron Cresswell, Ben Pearson, Tomas Rigo and Divin Mubama dropped to the bench, where Sam Gallagher was included for the first time since the last day of last term.

It didn’t take Stoke long to make their mark. They had caused panic in the penalty area with a Junior Tchamadeu long throw and Bocat had a shot blocked before he nibbled enough to work the ball to Thomas on the left wing.