Million Manhoef scored either side of half-time as Stoke recorded their biggest win of the season
Million Manhoef netted twice as Stoke rounded off the season in style by thrashing Bristol City for their third successive win.
On-loan Wolves midfielder Luke Cundle opened the scoring and Tyrese Campbell doubled the Potters’ advantage just before half-time.
There was still time for Manhoef to make it 3-0 before the interval and the Dutchman added his second soon after the restart.
It was the Potters’ biggest win of the campaign and ended Bristol City’s hopes of a top 10 finish.
Stoke boss Steven Schumacher kept faith with the line-up that triumphed at Southampton a week earlier and they began brightly, with Manhoef and Bae Jun-ho causing the visitors problems from either flank.
Manhoef was the architect of his side’s opening goal, galloping in from the right and delivering a low cross for Josh Laurent, who helped it on for Cundle to steer home from close range.
Tyrese Campbell's goal was his second in successive games
The Robins, who went into the game on a seven-match unbeaten run, might have levelled when Scott Twine was denied by Daniel Iversen and Ben Wilmot did well to prevent Anis Mehmeti putting in the rebound.
But Stoke soon regained control and Jun-ho’s effort crashed off the crossbar before Campbell raced through to make it 2-0 with his second goal in as many games.
Manhoef, who joined the Potters from Vitesse Arnhem in January, then stunned the visitors with two impressive finishes either side of the break.
Jun-ho almost added a fifth goal, but he was denied by Max O’Leary as the Robins saw out the contest without further damage.
Bristol City midfielder Andy King made the final appearance of his career late in the game, the former Leicester midfielder replacing Twine for a brief run-out prior to his retirement.
Post-match reaction
Stoke City head coach Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Stoke:
“It was a really good performance, some excellent goals and some really exciting bits of play to watch and also a couple of bits of brilliant defending. So it was a good day all round.
“We spoke about our mentality and desire, we had to compete because if we didn’t it would have been embarrassing for us – the scoreline would have been the other way round. Thankfully we’ve done enough to come out on top of it and end the season with another great win.
“Today we just wanted to make sure we finished properly and it was important, with a huge crowd that we sent the fans home happy as well, because it’s been a horrible season for everyone, but we’ve managed to do enough.
“We have to draw a line under it and make sure we start better in the next one. There’s obviously work to be done over the summer.”
Bristol City head coach Liam Manning said:
“It was really out of character and nothing what we’ve been like in the previous seven games.
“We don’t want to lose in that manner but at least we can send the lads away and say ‘that can’t happen again’.
“That’s the motivation to come back for day one of pre-season and make sure we’re not anywhere near that level again on a bad day.
“It was a disappointing end, but I don’t want it to cloud all the progress that has been made.”
