Everton v Stoke

1. Everton XI: Howard, Galloway, Funes Mori, Stones, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Kone, Barkley, Lukaku.
2. Stoke XI: Butland, Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters, Whelan, Cameron, Arnautovic, Afellay, Shaqiri, Bojan.

FULL-TIME

The injury time is ticking away. What a win this would be for Mark Hughes. His side have show real guts here and THERE IT IS! THE FINAL WHISTLE.

A look back on the penalty decision and it does seem just. John Stones got his timing wrong.

GOAL

Incredible drama. Marko Arnautovic isolates John Stones and draws a foul in the area. Mark Clattenburg stared at it for an age before pointing to the spot and Stones is beside himself with anger.

It will be Arnautovic from the spot and though he slips, it's job done, straight down the middle. What's coming next? What a game.

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PENALTY TO STOKE

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Stat from our friends at Opta on this incredible game...

We enter the final five minutes and it's still anyone's guess. Everton are enjoying having the ball in more advanced positions but Jon Walters is a willing runner on the break for Stoke.

Off goes Xherdan Shaqiri - you can look forward to his second goal on Match of the Day later.

What a game this has been. Everton have a free-kick on the edge of the area... punched clear by Jack Butland.

Potters level

Just as I said Stoke had no impetus, Joselu thumps an equaliser. It's all about Marko Arnautovic's cross. The delivery sparks mass confusion in the penalty area and with Tim Howard grounded, Joselu scores his first league goal for the Potters with a bullet of a volley.

GOAL

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SUBSTITUTION

Stoke introduce Jon Walters in search of a goal. In truth they sat on their half-time lead and now don't have any impetus.

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Gerard Deulofeu in the Stoke area, he jinks and looks for space... outside of the foot... wide.

CLOSE!

Steven Naismith you lucky young man. The Scot underhits a pass back to Tim Howard and the goalkeeper has to race out to clear as Marko Arnautovic was preparing to shoot.

Everton lead...

Ross Barkley has been the Everton driving force all day long and his surge through midfield and exchange of passes with Romelu Lukaku ends with Gerard Deulofeu tapping in from three yards.

Barkley's pass across goal was crisp and this game has now seen five well-worked goals. Everton are eyeing the top four. What must Mark Hughes be thinking? The decision to take Bojan off now looks a little hasty.

GOAL

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Direct and wonderfully taken...

Goal number 15 of the Premier League season for Romelu Lukaku - he moves level with Leicester's Jamie Vardy at the top of the scoring charts.

Opta

Pick that out - the pass from Tom Cleverley was searching, the control from Lukaku sublime

CLOSE!

Gerard Deulofeu, cuts in from the right, into Romelu Lukaku... STEVEN NAISMITH... just wide.

Unselfish from Lukaku, who just tees his man up some 14 yards from goal but the snap shot is deflected wide. Sharp stuff from Everton, they have serious momentum now.

Lukaku again

Just seconds after Stoke take off the influential Bojan, Everton strike a crucial blow - no guessing who has got it.

A stunning long ball from Tom Cleverley picks out Romelu Lukaku who rises, chests the ball into his path and steers it past Jack Butland from eight yards. The finish was simple, the touch to create his space sublime.

GOAL

AP

Gerard Deulofeu gets space down the right, he attacks Glen Johnson and fizzes a cross in to Tom Cleverley who tees up Arouna Kone... over.

Too much height on it and from 18 yards he fires well above the crossbar.

Could Steven Naismith be an option for Everton from the bench? Both he and Leighton Baines look like good calls.

There is no doubt the home side are pushing Stoke back but the away side are soaking up pressure and look dangerous on the break. Only Bojan is left upfield as Everton push again and the midfield pair of Glenn Whelan and Geoff Cameron are looking solid in front of the defence.

Seamus Coleman has the ball in the right-back area and holds his hands out asking for an option. His side are forced to build with patience and Ross Barkley sees a shot blocked from Gerard Deulofeu's pull-back.

Gerard Deulofeu has not quite hit his recent heights today. With just 29 touches down the right flank - despite Everton constantly using that side of the pitch - no outfield player to start the match has seen less of the ball.

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CLOSE!

A critical block by the legs of Tim Howard. 

My oh my Everton lived dangerously there as Glen Johnson danced away from Brendan Galloway to race into the area from the right flank. As he neared the front post, his cut-back would have left an open net for Xherdan Shaqiri but Howard was able to flick the ball for a corner.

CLOSE!

There's a purpose about Everton early on in this period and Arouna Kone dances infield, he plays Romelu Lukaku in... no. A brilliant covering interception by Erik Pieters. 

That had goal written all over it.

In the opening 45 minutes Everton used a lot of Seamus Coleman down the right flank. He gets an early cross in which Jack Butland catches.

You have to wonder if Leighton Baines will soon be on at left-back for Brendan Galloway. A second option may give Stoke something to think about.

Opta

KICK-OFF

Remember we told you earlier that Everton do not have two consecutive wins in the league this season. That's a damning statistic for a side with hopes of European football. They have 45 minutes to put that right...

The stats at the break..

So do Stoke deserve it? There's not been a lot in it but just that little bit more guile when it mattered. There can be no doubt there's drive from Everton, this is still very much in the balance, but the away side have just oozed a little more belief.

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A sticky situation

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Got, got, NEED quiz: 28 Premier League stickers, 10 questions

The thrill of seeing that missing Paulo Wanchope face beaming back at you, the 'shinies', and the many, many copies of Mark Fish.

Whether you've ever actually completed one or not, why not try our Premier League sticker book  quiz? It's great half-time entertainment.

Not even Shakira could do this

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Shaqiri brilliance

John Hartson

Former Wales striker on BBC Final Score

"It is a brilliant finish, that is such a hard skill to do that on the run and on the half-volley. He is at full stretch and weights it perfectly to get it over Howard."  

HALF-TIME

A great half of football by two sides who clearly have bags of belief at the moment.

Football wouldn't be football if Romelu Lukaku wasn't scoring but both he and Everton have been outdone by Xherdan Shaqiri.

It looks simple but...

Xherdan. Shaqiri. Has. Arrived. 

We can try our best to translate the beauty of Stoke's second goal into 2D form, but you'll have to stay up for Match of the Day tonight to do it any justice.

Opta

'Goal of the season'

Garth Crooks

Former Spurs striker on Final Score

"That is the best goal I have seen this season. To do that takes some technique. He knew exactly what he was doing, it is absolutely sublime."  

Pick that out

A quite stunning finish from Xherdan Shaqiri. He's been bright throughout, popping up across the front line, and with Bojan pulling strings constantly the threat comes good.

A wonderful pass from Bojan gets Shaqiri in behind but he has so much work to do - however, running at full speed onto a ball coming across his body, he executes an exquisite, clipped half-volley which leaves Tim Howard with no chance. 

It's a cross between a volley and a chip as the ball just loops over the goalkeeper and into the top corner. Fabulous.

GOAL

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YELLOW CARD

Gerard Deulofeu hang your head in shame. His pacy dribble ends under a challenge from Ryan Shawcross but there's a clear dive by the Spaniard on the edge of the area as he hunts a free-kick. Nothing but a booking coming his way.

SHOWBOAT

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Ross Barkley is beginning to shine and a moment of showboating embarrasses Glen Johnson near the touchline.

Kevin De Bruyne executed a similar move for Manchester City on Boxing Day - a drag back and nutmeg to beat his man.

The gorgeous play leaves Barkley with the chance to run into the area and he works an angle, but his scuffed shot is blocked.

PENALTY APPEAL

Seamus Coelman looks longingly at the referee after just poking the ball away from Erik Pieters in the area. He definitely got there first. In Pieters' defence, he doesn't catch his man with his legs, it's more a case of the defender falling into the back of Coleman after missing the initial challenge.

A little clumsy and I've definitely seen them given.

Opta

There's not a lot in this now and Everton's possession is growing after early exchanges where Stoke saw more of the play.

Gareth Barry is seeing more of it than anyone else with 34 touches in the opening 34 minutes.

CLOSE!

Ross Barkley picks the ball up deep in his own half and wants to drive his side forward. He does so, still he goes on, approaching the area, a backheel into the path of Brendan Galloway, who drives just wide.

Stellar stuff from Barkley and a good hit which misses the target by a couple of feet.

'So much flair on show'

John Hartson

Former Wales striker on BBC Final Score

"It is a great game, really end to end. There is so much quality on show with Barkley, Deulofeu and the Stoke front three. This is a top football match."  

There can be no doubt Everton have woken up. Arouna Kone tries to bundle his way through the defence but a ricochet doesn't fall for him. Both sides are getting time on the ball and you get the sense there are more goals to come.

SUBSTITUTION

From highs to lows. After making the equaliser James McCarthy walks off the pitch. Tom Cleverley is on for the central midfielder. This was McCarthy's first outing since 28 November having overcome a groin complaint.

I see you and raise you...

Anything you can do I can do better eh?

After Stoke opened the scoring with a lovely team move, Everton follow suit with Romelu Lukaku grabbing the leveler.

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Lukaku back on mark...

His stunning run of scoring ended on Boxing Day but Romelu Lukaku proves there's to be no blip here. 

It's unspectacular from an individual perspective as he drills one in from eight yards but the build-up play was neat.

Ross Barkley looked for shooting space but found none and when he squared to James McCarthy he had the presence of mind to shape to shoot before sliding his talisman in for a simple finish.

GOAL

Reuters

BBC

So what have Everton got? They were by no means getting the run around early on but there was just a little more swagger from the visitors. Remember Everton made four changes compared to none by Mark Hughes' side. There's no doubt there's a better flow to Stoke's work.

Shaqiri's classy opener

Opta

A wonderfully crafted team goal for the visitors and they deserve it after a confident start.

It's the much-hyped front three at it again. Bojan dribbles and then plays a pass into the path of Marko Arnautovic in the area. As the ball runs away from the Austrian he has the presence of mind to pull it across goal, through the legs of a defender no less, and into the path of Xherdan Shaqiri who cannot miss from six yards.

GOAL

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CLOSE!

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Marko Arnautovic is slipped in and he races into the area with space to hit one... wide. Not a million miles away. He wrapped his left foot around it to fire across goal but pulled his effort past the post.

CLOSE!

Ross Barkley picks he ball up wide and drifts infield, he is fashioning shooting space here... good hit... just wide. It took a flick off Ryan Shawcross on the way.

A good effort from Barkley, who is hunting a seventh league goal of the season.

Superb cross-field pass by Glenn Whelan to bring Glen Johnson into play, he finds Xherdan Shaqiri who clips a ball over the home defence but Marko Arnautovic is offside.

It's a timid start all over the pitch but Stoke are edging it.

A worrying moment for Stoke as Philipp Wollscheid is down and in need of treatment. The central defender suffered a heavy challenge in the air near his own area. He marches off for treatment but looks to be OK.

It's a respectful start from Everton. As Glenn Whelan drops deep to receive a ball in midfield he is met by 10 blue shirts behind the ball. It's very much a compact setup from the home side. Glen Johnson gets forward but drifts a cross over the bar.

'Satisfactory'

Steve Bower

BBC football commentator at Etihad Stadium

"Approaching the mid-season report, both these clubs would be around the 'satisfactory' grade.

"Everton will be frustrated they aren't a touch closer to the European places. They've let points slip at times and will be aware that they need to tighten up defensively for the rest of the campaign.

"One home clean sheet in the league isn't something you would normally associate with them. If they can find that solid foundation, they've shown they have the attacking talent to hurt any team.

"Ryan Shawcross has said it would be a major disappointment if Mark Hughes' side didn't finish in the top 10, and given their options and experience in the squad they are on course to achieve that target once again."

KICK-OFF

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After a minute of applause to honour figures the game lost in 2015, the match is under way and Marko Arnautovic looks to pick up where he left off on Boxing Day as he smashes one from 25 yards, but a brave block prevents his effort reaching goal.

'A big win?'

Former Everton winger Ronny Goodlass on BBC Radio Merseyside:"A win today would really send a message. A win and suddenly you're looking at the top four, a few losses and you're looking over your shoulder. That's how tight it is."

Teams on the field...

The teams emerge as a flag floats across the Gwladys Street end of the stadium. Romelu Lukaku is deep in thought, wandering around on his own.

He didn't score against Newcastle, his first blank for two months.

'Stoke must do more'

Garth Crooks

Former Spurs striker on Final Score

"Stoke City in 11th place have actually underachieved for the talent they have. Crystal Palace and Watford are above them and Stoke are better pound for pound than those teams."  

'They need to start winning'

Mark Lawrenson

Ex-Liverpool defender at St James' Park for Radio 5 live

I was at St James' Park on Boxing Day and Everton just about deserved the win at Newcastle. The thing for Roberto Martinez now is that he can change a game from the bench. He was able to bring on Leon Osman, Gerard Deulofeu and Muhamed Besic and still had Arouna Kone unused, with Phil Jagielka to come back.

At Newcastle Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas played and this is probably the strongest squad Martinez has had at Goodison. But they have drawn a lot of games and they need to start winning, starting here.

Stoke had an outstanding result against Manchester United but away from home they don't get enough goals for me.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

In a Galaxy six points away...

The Star Wars theme tune rings around Goodison Park. Could either of these sides complete their own unthinkable mission and make the top four this season?

As the league currently stands, they are both just six points away.

As the players arrive in the tunnel, Gareth Barry stands alongside Ryan Shawcross. Stoke wear tracksuits, Everton are braving the cold and will emerge in just their strip.

Two sides looking up...

BBC

Smiles and good form everywhere

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Spirits are high at Goodison Park ahead of this one and why not? The Blues have tasted defeat just once in 10 games and that last-minute winner at Newcastle would give even the biggest Christmas humbug a lift.

A word of caution though, just three wins at home this season is hardly inspiring when a side who have kept eight clean sheets in 11 games turns up. Stoke are in their own upbeat mood. Something has to give.

'Too many changes'

Former Everton winger Ronny Goodlass on BBC Radio Merseyside:false"I thought it would be one change, Deulofeu for Mirallas onto the bench. Mirallas isn't even on the bench. You cannot second-guess Roberto. That for me says we are playing well. When you're chopping and changing it can work against you but four changes, that has surprised me."

How they take shape...

So how will the Everton changes take shape? Surely it's a surprise to see Tom Cleverley left out after his winner? And Brendan Galloway for Leighton Baines against Stoke's tricky front line?

BBC

Stoke meanwhile are proving exceptionally difficult to beat so no surprise Mark Hughes sticks to his formula.

BBC

Team News

Everton

Tom Cleverley's reward for his injury-time winner at Newcastle two days ago is to be dropped to the bench as James McCarthy returns from injury for Everton.

Three more changes see Brendan Galloway come in for Leighton Baines, Arouna Kone replace Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu preferred to Aaron Lennon.

Stoke are unchanged from their win over Manchester United.

Everton XI: Howard, Galloway, Funes Mori, Stones, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Kone, Barkley, Lukaku.

Stoke XI: Butland, Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters, Whelan, Cameron, Arnautovic, Afellay, Shaqiri, Bojan.

A must win? No. A must have... yes

Not sure if you Everton fans got any of these in your Christmas stocking? They look a cracking buy.

Here's a question for you. Would you brave the post-Christmas sales in just these if I could guarantee you three points today?

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Welcome

Do these look like two men who dislike Christmas football?

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Of course not. So let's not hear talk of fixture pile-ups and tired legs. Today we get to see two teams in very good form go at it. Grab the selection box and stay with me, I'll keep you abreast of team news and action.

As always, you can contact us on #bbcfootball.

Welcome to our live page for Everton v Stoke City. We’ll have text commentary here from 14:30 GMT. You can keep up to date with all the build-up to today’s games here.