Kevin Mirallas kept Everton's bid for Champions League football alive with the only goal to increase Stoke's worries as their slide down the table continued.
The Belgium international struck from a rapid counter-attack in the first half that left defenders trailing in his wake. His sixth goal of the season, although only his third in 18 league appearances, was enough to ensure David Moyes's side remain in contention for the top four.
Everton began the day six points outside Champions League qualification but by the final whistle they were four behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who slipped up at Southampton. Their quest to play among Europe's elite for the second time remains a possibility and the first half of next month is crucial to their hopes as they face Spurs and Arsenal.
Stoke, however, are looking over their shoulders with increasing anxiety as one win in 12 league games has brought the bottom of the table into closer focus than their manager, Tony Pulis, would have expected after finishing 2012 unbeaten in 10 games.
Goals, or a lack of them, are the Stoke manager's concern but they almost had one inside three minutes when Ryan Shotton's long throw picked out Robert Huth, whose header was well saved by Tim Howard, and Jon Walters crashed the follow-up against the crossbar.
Howard was returning to the starting lineup after recovering from two broken bones in his back but no one expected him to provide the assist for the opening goal in the 28th minute. Marc Wilson's cross from a short free-kick was punched clear by the American and landed at the feet of Mirallas, the Everton player highest up the pitch.
The Belgium international outfoxed Steven Nzonzi and raced clear to clip a shot which Asmir Begovic got a hand to but could not stop.
The best Stoke could muster in response was Walters's curling shot that was palmed away acrobatically but theatrically by Howard. In the second half Huth planted a header wide from Glenn Whelan's free-kick when he should have hit the target – and therein lies Stoke's problem. Shotton also squandered a more difficult effort and Wilson's inswinging cross deflected off Sylvain Distin's back.
Ryan Shawcross's rugby tackle on Nikica Jelavic earned the Stoke captain a booking and Everton a free-kick on the edge of the area but Leighton Baines blasted into the wall. Fortunately for the hosts this was not a day when they needed the cushion of the extra goal. Reported by guardian.co.uk 5 hours ago.
The Belgium international struck from a rapid counter-attack in the first half that left defenders trailing in his wake. His sixth goal of the season, although only his third in 18 league appearances, was enough to ensure David Moyes's side remain in contention for the top four.
Everton began the day six points outside Champions League qualification but by the final whistle they were four behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who slipped up at Southampton. Their quest to play among Europe's elite for the second time remains a possibility and the first half of next month is crucial to their hopes as they face Spurs and Arsenal.
Stoke, however, are looking over their shoulders with increasing anxiety as one win in 12 league games has brought the bottom of the table into closer focus than their manager, Tony Pulis, would have expected after finishing 2012 unbeaten in 10 games.
Goals, or a lack of them, are the Stoke manager's concern but they almost had one inside three minutes when Ryan Shotton's long throw picked out Robert Huth, whose header was well saved by Tim Howard, and Jon Walters crashed the follow-up against the crossbar.
Howard was returning to the starting lineup after recovering from two broken bones in his back but no one expected him to provide the assist for the opening goal in the 28th minute. Marc Wilson's cross from a short free-kick was punched clear by the American and landed at the feet of Mirallas, the Everton player highest up the pitch.
The Belgium international outfoxed Steven Nzonzi and raced clear to clip a shot which Asmir Begovic got a hand to but could not stop.
The best Stoke could muster in response was Walters's curling shot that was palmed away acrobatically but theatrically by Howard. In the second half Huth planted a header wide from Glenn Whelan's free-kick when he should have hit the target – and therein lies Stoke's problem. Shotton also squandered a more difficult effort and Wilson's inswinging cross deflected off Sylvain Distin's back.
Ryan Shawcross's rugby tackle on Nikica Jelavic earned the Stoke captain a booking and Everton a free-kick on the edge of the area but Leighton Baines blasted into the wall. Fortunately for the hosts this was not a day when they needed the cushion of the extra goal. Reported by guardian.co.uk 5 hours ago.
