Frederic Piquionne provided the inspiration as Portsmouth stormed into the Carling Cup quarter-finals by demolishing Stoke at Fratton Park.

The worst scoring record in the Barclays Premier League may have left Pompey rooted to the foot of the table, but they have few problems hitting the target in the cup.

Piquionne struck twice and set up another for Danny Webber before Kanu completed the rout to make it 11 goals from their three matches in the competition this season.

With a point to prove after slipping out of manager Paul Hart's first choice line-up, Piquionne dazzled and frustrated in equal measure.

The France striker, on loan from Lyon until the end of the season, was Pompey's most dangerous player yet would mix his box of tricks and turn of pace with some erratic moments.

Victory will have given Portsmouth a timely confidence boost ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Wigan, while Stoke will be wondering how they failed to create a single meaningful chance.

Both sides showed where the Carling Cup sits in their list of priorities by make a host of changes.

Stoke unveiled virtually an entirely new team with goalkeeper Steve Simonsen the solitary survivor from Saturday's 1-0 victory over Tottenham.

Only Younes Kaboul, Aruna Dindane, Hassan Yebda and Marc Wilson survived from the Pompey side that drew 0-0 at Hull with Michael Brown, returning from suspension, named captain.

Dindane was involved during a bright start, linking well with Webber in a move that eventually broke down when Piquionne was shepherded out of the area.

Pompey almost snatched the lead 10 minutes in when Piquionne dashed into the box before forcing a goalline clearance from Andy Griffin with Webber lurking to help the ball home.

They could not be denied seven minutes later, however, when the ubiquitous Piquionne outjumped Danny Higginbotham to nod home Nadir Belhadj's cross.

The tempo of the game had dropped but Pompey still looked the more dangerous going forward.

They created another chance for Piquionne when Yebda teed him up with a square ball but this time the 30-year-old skied his shot high over the crossbar.

Piquionne's ability to go from the sublime to the ridiculous was highlighted when he set off on a 15-yard run that saw him leave a string of bamboozled Stoke defenders in his wake only to then give the ball away with a dreadful pass.

Stoke defender Leon Cort made a timely clearance of Anthony Vanden Borre's cross as Pompey made a strong start to the second half.

The visitors were securing plenty of possession but were toothless in the final third, a criticism that could not be levelled at Portsmouth as they extended their lead.

It was a simple move as Piquionne set up Webber who took one touch before blasting home in the 56th minute.

Three minutes later and Hart's team were out of sight as Simonsen fumbled a free-kick by Brown into the path of Piquionne who completed the simple tap in.

Stoke finally hit the target through Tuncay but the flag went up for offside.

To complete the rout, Aaron Mokoena laid on a sweet pass to fellow substitute Kanu who rounded the beleaguered Simonsen before slotting home with nine minutes left.

Teams

Portsmouth Ashdown, Vanden Borre, Kaboul, Wilson, Belhadj,Dindane (Hughes 77), Brown, Mullins, Yebda (Mokoena 63),Piquionne, Webber (Kanu 68).

Subs Not Used: Niemi, Ben-Haim, Basinas, Nlundulu.

Booked: Wilson.

Goals: Piquionne 17, Webber 55, Piquionne 59, Kanu 81.

Stoke Simonsen, Griffin, Higginbotham, Cort, Pugh,Lawrence (Soares 75), Arismendi, Whelan, Tonge,Sanli (Moult 82), Kitson (Sidibe 55).

Subs Not Used: Parton, Lund, Wedderburn, Connor.

Booked: Tonge, Griffin.

Att: 11,251

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).