Everton beat Stoke 2-1 in awful conditions at the bet365 Stadium to further distance themselves from the relegation battle, and deepen the worries of Paul Lambert’s side who slipped further down the table.
Stoke were not helped by Charlie Adam, given a rare start, who got sent off after half an hour for a rash challenge.
Paul Lambert made five changes for the visit of Everton, and for most of the game they acquitted themselves very well against the ‘Toffees’, while neither side was given much help by the conditions - at times it was snowing sideways and even on the concourse inside the stadium.
In fact, for most of the first half, Stoke probably edged the game, controlling possession and attacking with purpose before the game turned. Charlie Adam’s heavy touch saw the ball run ahead of him, and in trying to get it back he launched himself off the ground and into Wayne Rooney.
Martin Atkinson showed no hesitation in bringing out the red card and now the home side were faced with playing an hour with a man disadvantage. The red card certainly divided opinion, and Rooney was booed every time he touched the ball after, but replays show it was probably the correct decision.
The scoreline remained goalless at half time, and at the beginning of the second half it was clear Stoke were leaving nothing to chance. A team of people had swept the lines clear of snow at half time, including the six yard box in front of Jack Butland’s goal. However, down the other end of the pitch, Jordan Pickford’s area was still blanketed in white.
Everton were then forced into an early change as Tom Davies had to go off after a clash with Jack Butland. 15 minutes later his side were in the lead.
Bolasie clipped a ball over the defence and Cenk Tosun headed goalwards - albeit from an offside position. Butland saved but he couldn’t hold on to the ball and Tosun was on hand again to hammer home after the ensuing scramble.
The lead was not to last long though. Stoke levelled 8 minutes later through Choupo-Moting, who had just come on. He got a touch on Joe Allen’s free kick that sent it past Pickford, and injured himself in the process. No doubt Paul Lambert will have been pleased with the eight minutes he got from his player.
With ten minutes to go, the man advantage looked to finally be paying dividends for Everton. Stoke became very stretched and Walcott inexplicably missed when it would have been easier to score. A minute later they had scored.
Walcott turned provider as his ball from the right was headed past Jack Butland and into the bottom corner by Tosun, his 4th goal in three games.
Everton saw out the game with relative ease and have now reached the magic 40 point mark, almost assuring them of Premier League safety. For Stoke, things look bleak. Results elsewhere were not kind to them and they now find themselves three points shy of safety with many of the teams above having played a game less. Paul Lambert’s side will be looking for a miracle to survive from here.