Image source, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Image source, Opta

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.

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.

Image source, 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.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

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.

Postpublished at 6 mins

6 mins

Everton 0-0 Stoke

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.

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."

Image source, Reuters

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.

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."

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.