Stoke substitute Lewis Baker scored just two minutes after coming on, almost with his first touch
Stoke City started the new Championship campaign as they ended last season with an emphatic display to beat Midlands rivals Coventry City.
It took until the 78th minute for the winning goal to arrive, from Stoke substitute Lewis Baker.
But, in a highly competitive game of few direct chances, Steven Schumacher's Potters, who ended last season on a three-game winning streak to stay up, were worthy victors - and the majority of the 25,037 crowd were sent home very happy.
The moment that brought the house down came just two minutes after Baker had left the bench, in place of Wouter Burger.
Million Manhoef slid a neat return pass to get Baker in down the inside-right channel, in the Coventry box and he fired low through Oliver Dovin.
Stoke should have gone ahead before the break when Junior Tchamadeu rose highest to head Lynden Gooch's far-post cross against the upright.
Emre Tezgel also had a header parried by debutant Coventry keeper Dovin, from Tchamadeu's right-wing cross - but it was the only on-target effort of the first half.
And the two keepers did not get much busier after the break despite Coventry improving.
Strikers Haji Wright, on his way back to full fitness after missing most of pre-season, and Brandon Thomas-Asante, the Sky Blues' new signing from West Bromwich Albion, both made lively appearances from the bench as the visitors finally looked a threat up front.
But it was Baker's introduction that proved most telling.
And, although Dovin may have been disappointed to be beaten at his near post, the former Chelsea youth player's match-winning strike was a beautifully-constructed move which simply cut Coventry open.
Aside from new keeper Viktor Johansson, Stoke also had two other debutants in their starting line-up, midfielder Eric Bocat and defender Ben Gibson, while 18-year-old Emre Tezgel impressed on his return from last season's loan at MK Dons.
Coventry also had three starting debutants, keeper Dovin, midfielder Jack Rudoni and winger Ephron Mason-Clark, who they signed in January, before allowing him to return on loan to Peterborough.
Coventry City boss Mark Robins told BBC CWR:
"First half, it wasn’t as good as it needed to be but we gave them a leg-up. We put them under pressure eventually but we didn’t get there quickly enough.
"To be on the front foot is what we are after and we were a little too passive. Definitely an opportunity missed.
"When we got into the second half we controlled the game a lot more, but we still didn't have enough quality with the ball.
"And they’ve run through and got a goal against the run of play – a bit like we did to them here in this game last season when we won 1-0."
Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Stoke:
"It’s been a long pre-season but full credit to all the staff for working hard as we have. And if we can use that energy we got from the fans today, we can be a decent team.
"When we saw the fixtures, we knew how tough it was going to be playing Coventry. And were rubbish for parts of the second half.
"But we made good substitutions – and Lewis Baker took his chance well. In fact, all the subs did well, when they came on.
"Emre Tezgel has done really well in pre-season and deserved his chance to start but Niall Ennis came on the hour and had an impact too."
Coventry's Jack Rudoni and Stoke's Eric Bocat were among the six starting debutants on show in the Potteries
Who's next?
Coventry now move on to face Bristol City in the League Cup this Tuesday night before more evening action on Friday when they play their first home league game of the season against promoted first-day winners Oxford United.
Stoke have two games on the road, with away trips to League Two side Carlisle United in the cup, also on Tuesday, followed by next Saturday's date at Vicarage Road with Watford, who also won their opening game.
