Could Stoke emerge as a Championship force?published at 09:56 BST
Adam Cottier
5 Live reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesAmong the home support there was joy, and probably some disbelief, when the half-time whistle was sounded by referee Bobby Madley on Saturday. Stoke had scored four unanswered goals in quite some style.
That same referee's whistle had signalled what was to be the catalyst for Stoke's resounding win: the award of a penalty, scored so confidently by Justin Devenny for 1-0.
Stoke never looked back, dismantling Charlton with a ruthless statement of intent.
Debutant Devenny made an outstanding first impression in front of supporters, who will hope this Stoke performance is a sign of things to come with the club having spent the best part of the past decade in Championship obscurity.
In Devenny - and fellow recent signing Ethan Galbraith - Stoke have two midfielders with the ability to make things happen and score a good amount of goals. They are the kind of pairing that fill supporters with belief every time they get the ball.
Galbraith was a constant and willing figure in everything Stoke did well. Devenny, who made close to 50 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace, looked the perfect addition alongside him, making Stoke more powerful and agile.
Mark Robins will take his team to Cardiff on Tuesday with renewed hope that Stoke can finally emerge as a force in the second tier.





































