Bojan Krkic 's first-half penalty was enough to seal a 1-0 triumph for Stoke
City over Everton in a full-blooded Premier League clash at Goodison Park.
The former Barcelona forward gave Mark Hughes' side the lead 38 minutes
into a stop-start first half with a calmly taken penalty, though Everton missed
a host of gilt-edged opportunities to level before the break.
Stoke, who were lucky not to have boyhood Evertonian Jonathan Walters sent
off in the first half, were content to play on the counter in the second period,
with Roberto Martinez's side ultimately proving toothless in attack.
Everton were unbeaten in five Premier League home games prior to this rain-
swept clash, but despite a fast-paced start they were sluggish in possession
throughout.
Stoke shot-stopper Asmir Begovic did well to save a number of efforts during
a subdued second half, with Leighton Baines the only Everton player able to
make any headway on the Bosnian's goal.
Everton started brightly in a frenetic opening period and they could have been
awarded a penalty inside the first minute when Kevin Mirallas was bundled
over by Bojan, but referee Lee Mason waved away the appeals.
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm from there, with Ryan Shawcross
and John Stones receiving lengthy spells of treatment for bangs to the head
and ankle respectively, although Stoke could have taken the lead had Mame
Biram Diouf's effort not been blocked by Phil Jagielka.
Everton burst into life at the other end just after the half-hour mark, when
Mirallas' corner landed at the feet of Gareth Barry at the back post, only for
the midfielder to somehow shank his effort wide when it seemed easier to
score.
The home fans were appealing for a red card 10 minutes prior to the interval
when Walters tugged down Baines as the England full-back bore down on
goal, but Mason was lenient and chose to only book the Republic of Ireland
striker.
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