Wells off the mark in Potters win

Wells blasted City into a last first-half lead, while Andreas Weimann rounded off the day with a calm finish as the game neared the death.

City had been largely the dominant force, especially in the opening half, while their defensive work off the ball helped earn a third clean sheet in all competitions.

Wells is now off the mark for the season but credited his forward partner Chris Martin’s work for the assist. Despite being crowded out in the box, the summer signing did well to guide the ball into to path of Wells and the Bermuda international kept his composure to smash the ball past goalkeeper Adam Davies.

“He (Martin) did fantastically to keep it in play and it was a bit of instinct from me to sniff something out,” Wells said, describing the opening goal. “I’m happy to have put it in the top corner, it was a difficult finish but he did the hard work to get it back with three bodies around him and I did the rest.”

Most importantly though was City’s second three points of the season, following last weekend’s win against Coventry City, with the Robins sitting second in the Championship table.

Wells said: “It was important for us to come here and leave with the three points, no matter what, and we did that today. It was a hard-fought match and I’m just delighted to leave with three points and get my season up and running from the goals-perspective.

“Everyone really [worked hard]. It starts from the front but the defensive five and the midfielders were fantastic through to the end. You won’t play many games where it’s an onslaught from a long ball and a physical perspective. Stoke are a good team, they made it difficult and if we crumbled, they would’ve taken advantage but today we were outstanding.”

Momentum is a word supporters hear a lot, but it’s certainly something the group are feeling, with Sunday’s win at the bet365 Stadium taking City to their fourth win in all competitions – a 100% winning record for Head Coach Dean Holden.

It means a chance to go five wins on the bounce, with Aston Villa up next in the Carabao Cup Round Three at Ashton Gate on Thursday night (September 24th, 7pm KO).

“Everyone has played their part, everyone has impacted on all the wins,” Wells continued. “It’s four from four so we’ll go to Aston Villa confident, I’m sure there will be changes with fresh legs but I’m sure we’ll be ready and looking to relish the opportunity against a huge Premier League side.

“Momentum is key, it’s important for us to try and progress in the competition and Stoke are a potential opponent [in the next round] so we look forward to it.”

Watch: Nahki Wells post-Stoke City (A)

Fans in the UK will be able to watch the match against the Villans on the competition’s official streaming site – Carabao Cup Live – for just £10.

Due to the opposition being in the Premier League rather than the English Football League, Robins TV is unable to stream this game, but is available to supporters on Carabao Cup Live.