Carabao Cup: Stoke City 0-3 Bradford City – Bantams stun Championship leaders.

League One Bradford City continued their impressive start to the season by defeating Championship leaders Stoke in the Carabao Cup second round.

The Bantams took an early lead when Will Swan headed in Tyreik Wright’s near-post corner, and Brad Halliday’s firm strike made it 2-0 at halftime.

The Potters made ten changes to the team that defeated Southampton in the league on Saturday and struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

After Jack Bonham saved Swan’s initial shot, George Lapslie scored on the rebound to put the game out of reach for the hosts.

The West Yorkshire side’s victory over second-tier Blackburn in the first round keeps them unbeaten this season, while Stoke’s perfect start is over.

Bradford, who made five changes to the side that began the 1-1 draw at Peterborough, got off to a strong start when Swan headed in for his fourth goal of the season, and Halliday finished calmly after good work by Swan and Lapslie to set him up.

Stoke manager Mark Robins made his priorities clear by keeping first-team regulars Sorba Thomas, Million Manhoef, and Lewis Baker on the bench as the game progressed.

Lapslie confirmed Bradford’s victory in their first meeting since May 2004.

The beaten 2013 finalists will now hope for a favourable match in Wednesday’s third round draw before turning their attention to Saturday’s home game against AFC Wimbledon.

The Potters host West Brom in one of Saturday’s three Championship lunchtime games.

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