Peter Crouch scored a hat-trick as Stoke advanced to the third round of the EFL Cup by sweeping aside League Two Stevenage 4-0 at the Lamex Stadium.
The former England striker notched either side of Phil Bardsley's brilliant 30-yard strike, before adding his third with 20 minutes left to seal a comprehensive victory for the Premier League outfit.
Mark Hughes made five changes to his Stoke side from their 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday with Charlie Adam and Jonathan Walters playing just behind Crouch.
It took just 13 minutes for the 35-year-old to make an impact, nodding home from three yards out after a neat exchange between Marko Arnautovic and Joe Allen had carved open the Stevenage defence.
Stevenage 0-4 Stoke City
