Stoke City 2-0 Hull City: Vrancic and Powell score as Potters win again
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Stoke's summer signing Mario Vrancic, who missed a penalty in the Potters' last home game, finally registered his first goal for the club
Stoke City struck a goal in each half as they maintained this season's unbeaten home record by beating Hull City.
Summer signing Mario Vrancic scored his first goal for the Potters on 35 minutes.
Nick Powell then wrapped up victory on 58 minutes when, against one of his former clubs, Hull keeper Matt Ingram could only get a hand to his 35-yard free-kick.
Only 100 per cent Coventry City, with 15, have picked up more home league points this season in the Championship than Stoke, who have won four and drawn one.
Hull remain the Championship's lowest scorers, having scored just five goals in nine games, four of which came on the opening day of the season at Preston.
Nick Powell now has four goals in six appearances for Stoke City this season
Stoke keeper Adam Davies had to make a good save from Tyler Smith before Tigers defender Lewie Coyle hit the post on 14 minutes with a 30-yard shot.
But Vrancic put the Potters ahead when, after being fed by on-loan Romaine Sawyers, he turned two defenders before firing into the roof of the net.
Vrancic then curled a 25 yard free-kick wide three minutes later, before Hull keeper Ingram had to acrobatically deny Powell when he cut inside to unleash a shot from the edge of the box.
But Powell put the Potters out of sight when he doubled his side's advantage with a curling free-kick, which Ingram might feel he could have done better with.
Promoted Hull, who would now be bottom but for Derby County's points deduction following their financial woes, now host Blackpool on Tuesday, when fifth-placed Stoke head up the M6 to Preston.
Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill:
"I have to give credit to Hull. They pressed us well. We didn't build our game as well as we have done. We looked lethargic at times. We needed a spark and we got that with the goal. The 20 minutes after half-time we looked more like ourselves.
"The demands on the players are extremely high. You will get games where you are a bit flat. The most important thing, when you have days like that, is that you have the individual quality to win.
"Mario Vrancic is a brilliant player. If we can get him in the game as much as possible he will make things happen, particularly in the final third."
Hull City boss Grant McCann:
"From the outside looking in, it is another defeat where we aren't creating chances, but that is not just the front three. It is the team as a whole.
"We weren't clinical enough but, up until their goal, what we were doing was really good. We had a chance with Tyler Smith and we hit the post. Then we made a decision to jump and press the ball and they break against us and score.
"We started the second half well, but it was backs against the wall once they got the second. We're in a different division. There are top quality players in this league week in, week out who will punish you."