Cannon fires four past sorry Pompey
Four-goal Tom Cannon fired Stoke City to a 6-1 win over Portsmouth, its first triumph under Narcis Pelach extending Pompey's own wait for a Championship victory.
Stoke entered the encounter at the bet365 Stadium just two points better off than its winless visitor and without reward for the bold decision to replace manager Steven Schumacher with Pelach last month.
But an explosive display from on-loan Leicester City forward Cannon provided what could be a pivotal victory in the Potters' season.
Cannon scored only three times in all competitions for Leicester last season but bettered that tally inside the opening hour of his fourth start for Stoke.
Portsmouth was on level terms approaching half-time after Mark O'Mahony cancelled out Cannon's opener, but the Republic of Ireland international restored Stoke's lead before Sam Gallagher added a third in first-half stoppage time.
Cannon completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot three minutes after the restart and scored again another three minutes later, with Andrew Moran completing the rout shortly afterwards.
Portsmouth was promoted as League One champions last season but is the only team still without victory in the second tier and saw another struggling side move clear of it as Preston North End beat Watford 3-0.
Watford had been level on points with Sheffield United just outside the play-off places, but the Blades climbed to third with a 1-0 win over Swansea City, while rival Sheffield Wednesday drew 0-0 with Bristol City.
