Everton travelled to the Bet365 Stadium to take on Stoke City on Saturday looking to build on their victory versus Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. The Toffees kept it tight at the back and got a lucky break in the 30th minute when Charlie Adam was sent off due to an untidy challenge on Wayne Rooney. Both teams fought hard under tough conditions and could only manage to go in level at half-time.
The visitors came out on the front foot in the second half and took the lead courtesy of a Cenk Tosun goal in the 69th minute. However, the home team refused to give up and equalised just 8 minutes later through Maxim Choupo-Moting’s finish from close range. Everton pushed on and found the winner when Cenk Tosun popped up with a goal in the 84th minute to win the contest for Sam Allardyce’s men.
The match ended 2-1 in the Toffees’ favour leaving the Potters in deep trouble and in real danger of being relegated at the end of the season.
Let’s take a look at how each Everton player fared during the contest.
GK: Jordan Pickford – 6/10
He did not have much to do in the game but did well when called upon. He was left helpless by his defenders during Stoke City’s equaliser.
RB: Seamus Coleman – 7/10
He put in another tireless shift at right-back. He got into some dangerous areas and caused havoc down the right flank. However, his crossing left a lot to be desired.
CB: Michael Keane – 6/10
He had to deal with the aerial presence of Peter Crouch and came up second best on most occasions. However, he continues to get better and looked solid alongside Jagielka in defence.
CB: Phil Jagielka – 8/10
He was superb in defence for the visitors. The English centre-back put in a valiant display at the heart of the Everton backline and made some crucial clearances to secure the three points for the Toffees.
LB: Leighton Baines – 6/10
He did enough at left-back to help his side earn the victory on the day.
CM: Tom Davies – 6/10
He missed a wonderful chance to score with his head but unfortunately, had to go off with an injury later on.
CM: Idrissa Gueye – 7/10
Another hard working performance at the centre of the park, he is slowly returning to his best in an Everton shirt.
CM: Wayne Rooney – 7/10
Charlie Adam made a rash challenge on him which got him sent off in the first half. He was a villain to the home fans ever since but did well to see out a rare away victory for the Merseysiders.
RM: Theo Walcott – 7/10
His blistering pace caused a lot of headaches for the Potters defenders during the contest. He provided the assist for Tosun’s winner but was unlucky not to score himself on the day.
ST: Cenk Tosun – 9/10
The Turkish forward scored the two goals which won the contest for Everton. A man of the match display from Tosun in what seemed to be a very tricky encounter for the visitors.
LM: Yannick Bolasie – 7/10
He played a crucial part in the build-up to the Toffees’ opening goal and tried his best to cause some problems for the Stoke City defenders.
Substitutes:
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7/10
He came off the bench to provide the assist for Everton’s opening goal and did well to help his team earn the three points on the day.
CM: Morgan Schneiderlin – N/A
He hardly had any time to make an impact in the game.
CB: Mason Holgate – N/A
He came on in injury time to slow the game down and ensure the victory for the visitors.
