Palmer spoke before the game about the chorus of boos which greeted last week's 2-0 home loss to Sheffield United. But City recovered well in the Potteries, coming from behind to score three goals in 16 second half minutes to record a first victory under Tim Walter and ease the pressure that had been growing after a winless start.

Tonight will be Catalonian Narcis Pelach's first game in charge of Stoke after replacing Steven Schumacher at the helm on Wednesday, while in the opposite dugout will be Tim Walter, who hails from the south west corner of Germany.