Stoke threw off their shot-shy reputation by coming back from a goal down to
see off FA Cup heroes Leicester at the Britannia Stadium.
The Potters last scored two goals against Burnley in September, but responded
magnificently after Gareth Williams put the visitors in front.
Dave Brammer levelled with his first goal since joining the Potters from Crewe
in the summer and Gifton Noel-Williams converted Kevin Harper's cross to put the
home side in front.
Former Foxes defender Gerry Taggart, back from suspension, powered in a
second-half header from a corner to secure Stoke's third successive victory,
although Joey Gudjonsson smashed in a late consolation.
Leicester were left to rue missing several easy chances in the second half
with Keith Gillespie, Williams and David Connolly missing from close range.
The visitors surged into a 15th-minute lead after Leicester midfielder
Gudjonsson was fouled by Darel Russell.
Connolly sent in the resulting free-kick for Dion Dublin to flick the ball on
for Williams to stab it beyond advancing goalkeeper Steve Simonsen and off the
underside of the crossbar.
Stoke equalised just nine minutes later when Harper worked a short corner to
the edge of the area where Brammer's sweetly-struck effort flew beyond Ian
Walker into the top corner.
Ten minutes later Tony Pulis' men went in front and again it was Harper at the
heart of the action.
Kenwyne Jones sent the ball down the right flank for Harper to put in a cross
from the byline and Noel-Williams supplied the finishing touch from 10 yards.
Noel-Williams nearly scored again at the wrong end as the first half came to a
close when he deflected a Stephen Hughes cross straight into the arms of
Simonsen.
Foxes boss Craig Levein brought on Mark De Vries for Hughes at the break and
the former Hearts striker made an instant impact as his height caused chaos in
the box, but Williams' shot was well saved by Simonsen.
Leicester should have levelled seconds later as a 57th-minute shot from De
Vries was parried by Simonsen into the path of Gillespie, who somehow could only
hit the post from a tight angle.
The Foxes were made to pay almost instantly as Ian Walker made a brilliant
save to deny Lewis Buxton, but from Harper's resulting corner the unmarked
Taggart headed home.
Gillespie then provided Williams with an easy chance following a mistake from
Simonsen, but the former Nottingham Forest player missed from a couple of yards
out with the goal gaping.
Jones was denied by Walker twice as Stoke laid siege to the Leicester goal,
although Connolly volleyed Gillespie's cross wide at the near post at the other
end when it looked easier to score.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis handed a debut to Michael Ricketts in the last 10
minutes after the striker signed on a month's loan from Leeds.
But the move nearly backfired as Connolly broke the offside trap only to shoot
straight at Simonsen before Gudjonsson shot a free-kick straight through the
wall to set up a breathless finish in which Nikos Dabizas fired over the bar.
Teams:
Stoke Simonsen, Henry, Taggart, Hill, Buxton, Greenacre,
Brammer, Russell, Harper (Asaba 83), Noel-Williams,
Jones (Ricketts 83).
Subs Not Used: de Goey, Neal, Owen.
Goals: Brammer 24, Noel-Williams 34, Taggart 59.
Leicester Walker, Stewart, Dublin, Dabizas,
Maybury (Heath 75), Gillespie, Gudjonsson, Williams,
Hughes (de Vries 45), Tiatto, Connolly.
Subs Not Used: Nalis, Canero, Hirschfeld.
Goals: Williams 15, Gudjonsson 86.
Att: 14,076
Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).
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