Wigan Athletic boss salutes 'best yet'

Cook's men smashed the Potters to pieces, thoroughly dominating from start to finish to cruise to victory.

They had to wait 40 minutes to open the scoring through Kieran Dowell, whose left-foot shot made its way through former England goalkeeper Jack Butland.

After that, it was only ever a question of when, not if, Latics would add to their lead.

Jamal Lowe somehow hit the bar from all of three yards, but a brace from substitute Kal Naismith in the space of three minutes midway through the second period made the points secure.

"That was an absolute top-class performance from us tonight," enthused the Wigan boss.

"The only disappointment possibly was that it was only 1-0 at half-time.

"We created clear-cut chances, we dominated possession, and our appetite for work when we didn't have the ball was so impressive.

"It was as good as I've seen us play for a long time, and I'm really delighted for all the players.

"I could go right through the team with compliments, but it was just a really special performance from a very good group of players."

Better even than even the massive wins at promotion chasing Leeds and West Brom earlier this year?

"The best...the best this season by far," he insisted.

"We're playing against a Stoke team fighting for their lives, full of good players, international footballers, all over the pitch.

"But we were so good tonight, and great credit to all the lads.

"We started the game on the front foot, we managed the game so well, and we've come so far in a few months.

"And it's just great for me as a manager to be stood on the sidelines watching it all."