City got back to winning ways at the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday night ousting Queens Park Rangers 3-1.
Goals from Richard Cresswell, Liam Lawrence and Leon Cort saw Tony Pulis' side move to within four points of the second automatic promotion spot.
Ahead of the game the City boss made two changes with both Ricardo Fuller and Lawrence returning to the starting eleven.
Fuller was absent from Saturday's goalless draw at Turf Moor through suspension, while Lawrence was ruled out with a leg injury.
Demar Phillips was also included in the squad after returning from international duty over the weekend.
City started the match in explosive fashion, taking the lead after less than five minutes.
A trademark Rory Dealap long throw in was brilliantly flicked back across the box by Fuller, and Cresswell headed home in to an empty net from two yards.
City immediately set about doubling their lead, and a series of throw-ins from the former Sunderland man had the opposition defence in a panic.
Firstly Cort flicked the ball on across the box before being cleared away, then just moments later he rose and headed just over the bar from six yards.
City were on fire, and John Eustace went agonisingly close when he volleyed inches over from 25-yards.
The Potters went even closer just after the quarter of an hour mark, when Fuller latched on to Mamady Sidibe's brilliant through ball and rifled his shot beyond the palms of Lee Camp, but the ball cannoned back of the post.
Three minutes later it was two however. Lawrence exquisitely curled home a free kick from 25-yards in to the top left hand corner, to send the Potters faithful wild.
The visitors managed their first assault on the City rearguard after 27 minutes, but City defender Cort brilliantly blocked Rowan Vine's strike.
Long range strikes from Scott Sinclair and Vine went close for the visitors, while Fuller went close shortly after.
City were content to let the half peter out, and took a thoroughly deserved two goal lead in to the half time interval.
Luigi Di Canio's job of turning around the deficit was made even harder following the re-start as his side were reduced to ten men.
Dexter Blackstock horribly lunged in at Ryan Shawcross and referee Uriah Rennie had no hesitation in producing the red card.
Despite City's one man advantage the Hoops dragged themselves back in to the game after an hour through on loan Birmingham man Vine.
The pacy striker danced his way across the 18-yard box before unleashing an unstoppable drive in to the bottom corner, with Simonsen helpless.
With 18 minutes remaining Fuller had the chance to wrap up the points, but after rounding the keeper he somehow fired the ball over the bar with an empty net at his mercy.
Five minutes later though, the Potters restored their two goal advantage thanks to on loan Crystal Palace defender Cort.
The powerful defender rose highest to head home his first goal for the club and ensure City's first home win since beating Colchester last month.
CITY (4-4-2): Simonsen; Wright (Wilkinson 82) Cort, Shawcross, Pugh; Lawrence, Delap, Eustace (C), Cresswell; Sidibe (Parkin 78), Fuller (D. Phillips 86). Subs: Hoult, Zakuani.
QPR (4-4-2): Camp; Stewart, Mancienne (Malcolm 20), Timoska, Barker; Rowlands (C) (Bolder 81), Leigertwood, Buzsaky, Sinclair; Blackstock, Vine (Nygaard 79). Subs: Cole, Ainsworth.
