Alexander lauds Bradford's 'number one performance'

Bradford City head coach Graham Alexander said his side delivered their best performance of the season in knocking out Stoke City in the EFL Cup second round.

After drawing 1-1 at League One's bottom side Peterborough on Saturday, the Bantams bounced back with a stunning 3-0 victory over the Championship leaders with goals from Will Swan, Bradley Halliday and George Lapslie.

It was the second time this season they have upset a Championship club after winning 2-1 at Blackburn in the previous round.

"I just thought as a performance that was our number one performance this season, as an all-round performance," Alexander told BBC Radio Leeds.

"We are just learning each game, every time we have a little knock-back like Saturday, we just improve again and we learn from that experience and try and improve on it.

"The players are showing that they are brilliant professionals, they trust each other and they are committed to their jobs, and you get performances like that if you have those three things."

Bradford will discover their third-round opponents following the Grimsby v Manchester United tie on Wednesday, with the nine remaining Premier League teams in European competition also entering at the next stage.

Alexander, who made five changes for the trip to the Bet365 Stadium, added: "I want to reward all the players with games and I wish I could pick all 20 every game, I really do. I want them to know that I value them and it's not through words but actions.

"You get performances like that when you have made changes, and I know Stoke had made changes too but they are still a top Championship squad.

"We were the better team and we deserved to win that game - it was a really tough challenge, but the players look forward to it."