Stoke scored with their first real foray into the Addicks’ half, although the opener carried more than a touch of good fortune.
Eric-Junior Bocat’s tenacity saw the ball poked out to the left, where Thomas made space to send over a cross which was well struck and the ball looped over Charlton keeper Thomas Kaminski.
It went from bad to worse for Charlton boss Jones, returning to a club that he managed for 11 months in 2019, as they went 2-0 down after just five minutes.
Goalkeeper Viktor Johansson’s long ball was contested by Potters’ centre-forward Robert Bozenik and defender Lloyd Jones.
The Slovakian bundled his opponent out of the way, the ball falling to Thomas who found Manhoef on the right.
The winger was able to cut inside and deliver a low shot just inside Kaminski’s right-hand post.
The Addicks conceded four goals in eight minutes against the Saints and although they managed to hold out for longer this time around, they conceded a third before half-time.
Bae Jun-Ho fed Thomas, again loitering on the left, but this time he cut back onto his right foot.
Bozenik and Kayne Ramsey contested the cross in front of keeper Kaminski who reacted late, the ball dribbling under his arms and crossing the goalline.
Charlton eventually threatened – Luke Berry testing Johansson from distance just after the hour mark – but Stoke substitute Sam Gallagher went closest to finding the net again with a late snapshot.
