Everton beat Stoke 3-0 in the English Premier League

Behind the sharp foot of Romelu Lukaku, the head of Seamus Coleman and the incredible speed of Aaron Lennon, Everton won their second game in a row and avenged their late December loss to the Potters in a 3-0 blowout that was over by halftime. Arnautovic, Bojan, Diouf and Shaqiri have enough talent going forward to cause any team problems at the back and I think this Stoke City side will fancy their chances against an unpredictable Everton.

Everton blew Stoke away with a three-goal first-half blitz to record their first successive Premier League wins of their frustrating campaign.

“We knew that today was a real opportunity to show our intent and I couldnt be happier with the manner of the performance”.

“Sometimes it has been a lack of maturity, sometimes a lack of focus”.

I’d also leave Glen Johnson at full back, so you still have his attacking ability down the right, and put the stronger figure of Phil Bardsley centre half alongside Pieters.

“But I think in the last three games we have shown a real understanding of what to do on a football pitch”.

The manager was asked whether he felt his side should have done their goal difference more good after half time by padding the scoreline, Martinez paid tribute to Butland who made a terrific reaction save to turn a Lukaku header onto the bar and foiled substitute Arouna Kone in a one-on-one situation after the Belgian had been substituted.

Lukaku struck the frame of the goal in the second period and Jack Butland made several impressive saves to prevent the defeat becoming a mauling but Everton were still worthy and emphatic victors.

Coleman then headed home Cleverley’s corner before Lennon pounced on Philipp Wollscheid’s very bad pass to race through and make it 3-0.

Boss Mark Hughes was keen after the game to highlight the positive individual performance the club’s new record signing Giannelli Imbula produced on his debut, but was in sombre mood overall. The result, and the performances, were entirely predictable.

“It is always hard when you are chasing the game as the home team because there is an onus on you – and rightly so”.