Joel Piroe scored a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes as Leeds United tore apart Stoke City to close in on promotion back to the Premier League.
The Whites' place in the top flight now looks inevitable and will be confirmed later on Monday if Sheffield United fail to beat second-placed Burnley.
The hosts made an electric start at a buoyant Elland Road as Piroe scored twice in the first eight minutes after poor defensive play from the visitors.
Things went from bad to worse for the Potters when the Dutchman, the league's top scorer, completed his treble from close range, before Junior Firpo bundled in a fourth and Piroe made it 5-0 at half-time.
The pace predictably dropped off after the interval but Willy Gnonto headed in the sixth from Manor Solomon's whipped cross from the left.
Stoke arrived at Elland Road unbeaten in five but this damaging defeat means they could yet get dragged back into relegation trouble.
Piroe gets the party started
Former Swansea man Piroe had failed to score in his nine previous games but ended his near three-month drought inside six minutes with a composed finish after Stoke coughed up possession 20 yards from their own goal.
The Potters were then caught out at the back again just two minutes later as Jayden Bogle pinched the ball and teed up Piroe for his second.
Two became three for Piroe and the rampant hosts when he hammered in at an angle from a rebound and Firpo got his fourth of the season from close in.
Piroe made it 5-0 before the break with another scrappy effort as Stoke totally fell apart.
Mark Robins made three changes at the break to try and stem the tide and his men at least managed to keep the score down in the second half.
The nature of the sixth goal summed up Stoke's miserable day. They cleared an initial corner in but then got no pressure on the ball as Solomon was allowed to cut in on his right foot and hit a shot towards the back post that an unmarked Gnonto was able to head in from close in.
Leeds brought on 16-year-old Harry Gray, brother of Tottenham's Archie and great-nephew of Leeds legend Eddie, for his debut in the final few moments.
Their fans will now turn their attention across the Pennines to see if Burnley can avoid defeat and confirm promotion with two games to spare.
Stoke will look to move on quickly from this and welcome the Blades on Friday knowing a win will secure their place in the Championship for another season.
