Tom Cannon's impressive four-goal performance propelled Stoke City to a commanding 6-1 victory over Portsmouth, marking a triumphant first Championship win for their new manager, Narcis Pelach, on Wednesday. The on-loan striker from Leicester City had not found the net in the league since scoring for his parent club on New Year's Day, but he broke that dry spell by netting his first two goals for Stoke. Sam Gallagher also contributed by scoring before halftime, helping to establish Stoke's dominance early in the match.
Stoke’s offensive onslaught came in a remarkable 10-minute stretch just before and after the halftime break, during which they netted five goals. Cannon was pivotal in this explosive display, scoring twice more, including a controversial penalty awarded in the 48th minute. Prior to this match, Stoke had struggled offensively, managing only four goals in their last seven Championship games, highlighting the significance of this victory under Pelach's leadership.
The Potters' scoring frenzy was capped off by a goal from Brighton loanee Andrew Moran, who added the sixth and final goal, solidifying the team’s emphatic win. Portsmouth had briefly equalized through Mark O'Mahoney in the 29th minute, but the loss extended their unwanted record of eight consecutive league games without a victory at the start of the season, a troubling trend for the promoted side.
In other Championship action, Preston North End moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-0 victory over Watford, thanks to two goals from Milutin Osmajic, who had recently been charged with biting an opponent. Ali McCann's stunning strike added to Preston's tally, giving them only their second win of the campaign. Meanwhile, Sheffield United continued their unbeaten run with a narrow 1-0 victory against Swansea City, climbing to third place in the league. In contrast, Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday played out a goalless draw at Ashton Gate.
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