It was a penalty after 15 minutes that got the Potters off and running.<\/p>\n
Charlton were penalised by referee Bobby Madley for grappling at a corner – and Devenny confidently tucked away the resulting spot-kick.<\/p>\n
Seven minutes later, Northern Ireland international Galbraith was at it again, pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the area to fire his third goal of the campaign low past Addicks keeper Arthur Okonkwo.<\/p>\n
Then, on 25 minutes, it was 3-0 when Devenny spread a lovely pass out wide to Eric Bocat on the left and his great cross was met by the head of Hirst.<\/p>\n
There was even time for another one before the break when Devenny got his second.<\/p>\n
The second half could only really ever have been a comparative non-event after that, although Charlton were further inconvenienced when they were reduced to 10 men.<\/p>\n
McNamara had only come on in the 26th minute for Tyreece Campbell in an attempted reshuffle after Stoke’s third goal had gone in \u2013 but he was sent off for a second yellow card.<\/p>\n
And, although there have been celebrated occasions when teams have turned round a four-goal halfway deficit, no team has ever done it a man short.<\/p>\n
Six points in successive home games have suddenly transformed the mood in the Potteries, lifting Stoke into the top half of the early table, ahead of the afternoon fixtures. <\/p>\n