The weather at the Britannia Stadium couldn’t stop an inform Everton team having their best performance of the season.
The game was wrapped up in the first half after goals from Romelu Lukaku, Seamus Coleman and Aaron Lennon. The Blues could have had more than the three they scored if wasn’t for poor finishing and Jack Butland being between the goalposts for Stoke City.
Balanced Toffees keep it tight
Much has been made of Everton’s inability this season to hold on to a lead and see games out. During this week, Roberto Martinez’s side have kept two clean sheets and defended as a collective unit, with players working for one another.
Joel Robles has hardly been tested since stepping in for the injured Tim Howard but he bring a calmness that is much needed in the Blues back line.
It is has been almost eight hours of Premier League football stretching back to last season since Robles conceded. Tim Howard may find it hard to reclaim his place between the sticks for the Blues if the Spaniard continues his fine run of form.
Attack, Attack, Attack
Roberto Martinez’s side are always looking to dominate possession but are able to adapt and allow the opposition to play with the majority of the ball.
His side were set up to counter-attack and profit from a toothless Potters attack who were defeated 3-0 for the second gam in a week. The Blues finished the game with 34% of the possession but dominated in the attacking areas of the pitch.
Everton’s first goal came from a counter-attack led by Ross Barkley. The 22-year-old has been brilliant for the Blues for a number of weeks now and continued his vein of form again in this game. Barkley’s back heel on the sideline played in Bryan Oviedo who sprinted forward before playing in Tom Cleverley. The midfielder was then taken down by Jack Butland and referee Andre Marriner pointed to the penalty spot.
The third penalty in a week for the Blues was rolled home by Romelu Lukaku who shook off an injury against Newcastle United to start for the Blues.
The Toffees second came from a Cleverley corner. Seamus Coleman met the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and beat the outstretched Jack Butland. It was Coleman’s first goal in the Premier League for over 320 days and will be a welcome boost of confidence to the full back who is always looking to get on the scoresheet.
The Toffees then added a third as Aaron Lennon chased down a wayward pass towards the Stoke City defence. Lennon latched on to the pass and kept his cool as he met Jack Butland one on one and then proceeded to calmly rolled the ball past the goalkeeper into his bottom right corner.
Lennon’s work rate sets the tone
Aaron Lennon was called back into the Everton team for their win over Carlisle United in the FA Cup and the two Premier League games since, he has been their man of the match. He did it against Newcastle United during the week and he did it again against Stoke City.
He chases down loose balls, he tracks runners and tucks in when defending, giving Seamus Coleman another layer of protection, especially against a talented such as Xherdan Shaqiri. He blocked four Stoke City crosses, more than any other Everton player.
His third goal in three starts for Everton wrapped up the points for the Merseysiders and sent them three places up in the Premier League table to eighth.
