EPL – What We Learned – Stoke City 0 Everton 3

EPL – What We Learned – Stoke City 0 Everton 3

0
SHARE

A first half blitz has seen Everton overcome a disappointing Stoke City outfit 3-0 at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday evening.  

All the damage was done inside the opening 42 minutes, with Romelu Lukaku, Seamus Coleman and Aaron Lennon all ensuring Everton would breeze through the opening half, from which the home side would never recover.

Despite dominating the ball, Stoke had little in response to Everton’s quick-fire hat-trick and were left to rue costly lapses at the back.

Incredibly, the victory pushes Everton into eighth spot on the table, ahead of neighbours Liverpool on goal difference and two ahead of the defeated Potters.

Everton win unofficial ‘Jekyll and Hyde Derby’ 

Inconsistency has blighted both Everton and Stoke’s seasons. So, when they meet, placing bets is probably not the best idea. Who knows what might happen?

Last time these sides met at Goodison Park, the score was 4-3 in the Potters’ favour and was very much typical of either club’s form line with some shambolic defending as well as stunning attacking. Since then, Everton had won just twice in the league, against Newcastle on both occasions.

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes’ side had endured an equally iffy run that has now culminated in three-straight 3-0 defeats in the league.

Everton fans would have met their team’s 3-0 win over poor Newcastle with some scepticism and caution, but a win at the tricky Britannia will stoke the hopeful fires of a late-season charge up the table.


POPULAR ARTICLES

How the press reacted to Leicester City’s stunning win at Manchester City

EPL – Player Ratings – Manchester City 1 Leicester City 3


Potters undone by lax defence

Stoke were poor in defence and Everton made them pay in cash.

How Seamus Coleman, one of the smallest men on the pitch, if not the smallest, was allowed to head home from a corner is inexcusable. On the occasion, he was able to ghost into the area with minimal attention and by the time he was picked up, it was too late.

Phillipp Wollscheid’s error was equally as poor, if not worse, and bordering on amateur. His miscued and somewhat casual pass across goal missed its target as the alert Lennon pounced, gliding past Marc Muniesa.

Ultimately the deficit Stoke gifted their visitors proved insurmountable with Everton hardly troubled in the second period.

Consecutive clean sheets for Joel

Everton fans have been calling for the inclusion of the Spaniard for some time with Tim Howard’s patchy form constantly under the microscope. The American had kept just four clean sheets of a possible 23 – that equates to one clean almost every six matches.

His injury has allowed Robles to finally see minutes in the Premier League having deputised as Everton’s ‘cup keeper’ throughout the club’s League and FA Cup campaigns.

Thus far, the former Atletico gloveman has seized his opportunity with both hands, keeping two clean sheets in two. Robles, has, admittedly, had little to do by way of goalmouth action, but has tidied up when required, error-free.

The way the dominos are falling, Howard may well be forced to earn back his place between the posts.

Barkley’s confidence booming

What a season this guy is having.

On top of his game, full of energy, belief and with more moves than his manager at a Jason Derulo gig.

Barkley played a crucial role in the build-up to Everton’s opening goal, laying off a delightful back-heel to keep the play moving when he looked to be in a cul-de-sac. That move ended when Stoke custodian Jack Butland brought down Tom Cleverley in the area, with Lukaku dispatching the ensuing penalty.

That flick showed just how high the 22-year-old’s confidence is, and comes after a spot kick double against Newcastle, including a panenka, and a brace of screamers in the respective cup competitions against Manchester City and Carlisle United.

Barkley has eight goals in the league campaign as well as seven assists.

What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.