British record signing Robinho completed his first Manchester City hat-trick to take Stoke City apart at Eastlands.

The £32.5m Brazilian opened his account after just 14 minutes, then added another from Daniel Sturridge's excellent pass just after the re-start.

But he saved the best until last, finishing off a flowing four-pass move 17 minutes from the end with a clinical finish past Thomas Sorensen.

In the opening stages of the match, Javier Garrido swiftly played the ball up to Robinho, who charged into the penalty area and unleashed a thunderbolt shot that Sorensen did well to turn away.

Robinho immediately urged the home fans to make more noise and they might have had something to celebrate as Evans flicked Elano's corner goalwards, appealing for a penalty as it crashed into Shawcross, but referee Steve Tanner said no.

It took a well-timed tackle from Richard Dunne to deny Shawcross a clear sight of goal, the eventual throw-in propelled straight into Hart's arms by Rory Delap.

An intricate exchange of passes with Stephen Ireland and Robinho almost ended with Elano turning home but Sorensen responded quickly to make a feet-first block.

City were on top and it was no surprise they eventually went in front after 14 minutes, Elano and Ireland both involved in a move that finally saw Evans find Robinho with a volleyed pass to his left.

It wasn't an easy chance but the City striker made it look that way as he stroked home his fourth goal of the season.

Not that Stoke let their heads drop as Fuller forced a fingertip save out of Hart as he curled a low shot towards the bottom corner.

City won a free-kick in a dangerous area after Shawcross had sent Evans tumbling.

Elano's strike was clean enough, although Sorensen had it covered as it curled harmlessly wide.

Wright-Phillips' free-kick skimmed across the area, although the ball finally found its way to Tal Ben Haim, who fired wide from long range.

Dunne went down immediately after sliding in on Fuller. The Republic of Ireland defender was still off the field after receiving treatment when Tom Soares dropped his corner onto the head of Shawcross.

The former Manchester United man must have thought he had scored but somehow Hart managed to bundle it away.

Danny Higginbotham flew in at the other end to get the ball off Ireland, who was lining up a shot after excellent work from Elano and Robinho.

City were forced into a change three minutes before the break when Evans limped off, England Under-19 international Daniel Strurridge introduced in his place.

It was Stoke carrying the greater attacking threat though and Fuller should have done better than blaze over after strike partner Sidibe had flicked a header into his path.

City made the best possible start to the second period, netting a second within two minutes of the restart.

Although Robinho once again found the net with a clinical finish, the Brazilian was quick to acknowledge Sturridge's contribution as it was the youngster's run into the area, then his fine pass, that created the opportunity which the South American slammed home with a first-time shot.

Once again, Stoke pushed forward and Ben Haim and Stephen Ireland bravely tried to block Faye's shot, the ball eventually falling to Dunne, who toe-punted it out of play.

Wright-Phillips might have scored another for City when he latched onto Sorensen's punch from Garrido's cross. The shot was instinctive but straight at the Dane.

Garrido was fortunate he handled Soares' cross just outside, rather than inside, the City area and Elano booted away a poor free-kick.

Wright-Phillips went close again with a shot that flicked wide off Shawcross. The corner only brought more frustration as Ireland crossed for Sturridge, who rushed his eight-yard shot and fired disappointingly over.

Robinho went close with a typically mazy solo effort before Hart tipped over from Soares, whose powerful drive was heading into the roof of his net.

Sorensen produced another fine save at the other end as Wright-Phillips set the Brazilian up for what he must have thought would be his hat-trick.

Soares went close again for Stoke and as the contest entered its pivotal phase, Dave Kitson replaced Sidibe.

Robinho was a man on a mission and when he returned a pass to Ireland on halfway he set off like he knew his destiny was about to come.

Ireland played the ball on to Wright-Phillips, who then stood aside as Sturridge found Robinho for the pass that produced the Brazilian's hat-trick.

Wright-Phillips got the ball tangled up in his legs to deny City another scoring opportunity as the minutes ticked down then, in stoppage time, Ireland was guilty of an awful miss. Not that it mattered to Robinho.