Pelach delighted after pep talk sees Cannon hit four

Tom Cannon completed his hat-trick with a penalty before going on the become the first Stoke player to score four times in 24 years

Stoke City head coach Narcis Pelach says he was delighted to see Tom Cannon find his form in such a spectacular way after the two had spoken recently over the striker's form.

Pelach watched Cannon score four times as the Potters thrashed Portsmouth 6-1 on Wednesday to deliver the Spaniard's first win since he took over 15 days ago.

Cannon signed for Stoke on a season-long loan on deadline day from Leicester City with a host of Championship clubs pursuing his signature.

His goals were his first since scoring for the Foxes in an FA Cup tie at Millwall on 6 January and he had played four times for the Potters without finding the target.

"Tom was struggling a little bit," Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke.

"The performances with Stoke were not great but we had a chat the other day and I said 'look, I'm going to back you, I'm not going to drop you, so have confidence you're a good player'. It was a very nice chat.

"I said he needed time and patience and everything will come and he's had his reward and I'm very, very pleased for him."

Cannon became the first Stoke player to score four times in game since Peter Thorne did so against Chesterfield in March 2000 - two years before the Republic of Ireland striker was born.

The 21-year-old put Stoke ahead with a 25-yard free-kick against Pompey before lashing them 2-1 up with a left-footed drive just before half-time.

He completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot three minutes into the second half after he was fouled in the box.

"I got clattered for the foul and I got up a but stiff - but, definitely [going to take it] , it was nice to get it from the spot," Cannon told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I was absolutely delighted to get the fourth - it topped it off a great night. It's back to winning ways. Roll on Saturday."

It was the second time in 14 months Stoke had scored six goals in a game after hammering Rotherham in the EFL Cup by the same scoreline in August 2023.

They last scored six in a league game nine years ago, when they trounced Liverpool, also 6-1, on the final day of the Premier League season in May 2015.

Cannon was not the only player scoring their first goals for Stoke, with fellow forward Sam Gallagher also getting off the mark, following his summer move from Blackburn.

"I'm buzzing for him - Gally's a top player and we get on really well," Cannon said.

"I think it helps having two nines up there - the kind of know what each other's going to do. The more we link up together, the more we'll win.

"Obviously, the new boss has come in and the lads have all taken to him very well. He's been brilliant and long may it continue."