Royal Blue Mersey - Everton at Stoke City: Premier League Matchday 25It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2016-02-07T19:39:13+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/106911772016-02-07T19:39:13+00:002016-02-07T19:39:13+00:00Analysis: A Different Type of Win for Everton
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<figcaption>Clive Mason/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Everton and Roberto Martinez put their flexibility on display in a third consecutive 3-0 victory that hardly resembled the club's victories over Newcastle United and Carlisle United.</p> <p>When a team wins a match 3-0, terms like "domination" and "overwhelmed" tend to get thrown around, regardless of how the match actually went.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton's</a> victories against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> United and Carlisle United were right to be described in this way: the Toffees outshot their opponents 34-17 and outpossessed their opponents by an average of 63-37. Win by an average of three goals and create that many more chances, and you've earned terms like "domination."</p>
<p>Saturday's victory over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke City</a> didn't fit that bill in any way. Everton outshot Stoke 14-11, but was outpossessed 69-31 in the first half and 65-35 for the whole match. But, the Toffees scored three goals in the opening 45 minutes and had all but put the match away by the halftime whistle.</p>
<p>Did Everton dominate the first half, or any part of the match? Not in any significant way.</p>
<p>Was Everton the better team and deserving of a sizable lead and all three points? Without a doubt.</p>
<p>In fact, this win was easily the most impressive of the club's last three, in which the Toffees beat a talented team with a specific tactical plan.</p>
<p>Let's take a look at both team's starting lineups to begin to understand how the match unfolded.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://lineupbuilder.com/350x500/?p=11&a=40231&t=&c=2a17bd&1=GK_Robles__388_174&2=DL_Oviedo__317_64&3=DCL_Funes%20Mori__327_138&4=DCR_Jagielka__327_211&5=DR_Coleman__317_284&6=DML_Barry__240_138&7=DMR_McCarthy__240_211&8=AL_Cleverley__158_78&9=AC_Barkley__151_174&10=AR_Lennon__158_269&11=FCA_Lukaku__80_174&c2=ffffff&c3=ffffff&output=embed" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" height="500" width="350"></iframe></p>
<p>Martinez, in line with what he's done all season, stuck with what worked in the previous match, making no changes to his starting lineup. <span>Tom Cleverley</span> and <span>Bryan Oviedo</span> continued to comprise a surprising left side, despite the presence of <span>Leighton Baines</span>, <span>Kevin Mirallas</span>, and <span>Steven Pienaar</span> on the bench.</p>
<p><span>Aaron Lennon</span>, in the midst of arguably his best run of form in years, once again got the nod at right midfield.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://lineupbuilder.com/350x500/?p=11&a=1&t=&c=dc0000&1=GK_Butland__388_174&2=DLL_Pieters__293_56&3=DCL_Muniesa__327_138&4=DCR_Wollscheid__327_211&5=DRR_Johnson__293_292&6=DMC_Whelan__258_174&7=MC_Afellay__203_218&8=MC_Imbula__204_129&9=WL_Arnautovic__116_64&10=WR_Shaqiri__116_284&11=FCA_Diouf__80_174&c2=ffffff&c3=ffffff&output=embed" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" height="500" width="350"></iframe></p>
<p><span>Mark Hughes</span> elected to insert new signing Giannelli Imbula directly into his team, with the French midfielder joining <span>Glenn Whelan</span> and Ibrahim Afellay in the center of midfield.</p>
<p>Stoke's player influence map (courtesy of FourFourTwo.com) seems to indicate that this is how the Potters' midfield operated on the pitch.</p>
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<p>Imbula actually was the most advanced of the central midfield three, which I cannot imagine is what Hughes wanted to see, particularly with the offensive-minded Afellay out there as well.</p>
<p>I would guess that Hughes had the setup below in mind instead.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://lineupbuilder.com/350x500/?p=11&a=1&t=&c=dc0000&1=GK_Butland__388_174&2=DLL_Pieters__293_56&3=DCL_Muniesa__327_138&4=DCR_Wollscheid__327_211&5=DRR_Johnson__293_292&6=DM_Whelan__253_215&7=MC_Afellay__202_174&8=DM_Imbula__254_132&9=WL_Arnautovic__116_64&10=WR_Shaqiri__116_284&11=FCA_Diouf__80_174&c2=ffffff&c3=ffffff&output=embed" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" height="500" width="350"></iframe></p>
<p>Setting up with two holding midfielders would have provided additional cover for a backline that has struggled in recent weeks and allowed Afellay to focus on creating offense.</p>
<p>But, Whelan was often left to shield the back four on his own, which gave Stoke major problems in dealing with the dangerous Everton counter attack. On the penalty that led to Everton's first goal, this problem was front and center.</p>
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<p>When Oviedo wins the ball on the left wing and plays it forward to Barkley, Whelan gets pulled out of position to try to take the ball from the English midfielder. One of Imbula or Afellay (most likely Imbula) should be covering the space he vacates, but both are 10 yards ahead of the play.</p>
<p>Once Barkley makes a lovely pass into that space, Oviedo has acres to run into.</p>
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<p>Oviedo gets three forward dribbles before there's any pressure on him at all, at which point he's only 30 yards from goal.</p>
<p>Everton's third goal came from a dreadful Stoke giveaway, but it was the Potters' disorganized midfield which opened up the chance which Lennon took.</p>
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<p>I've circled Whelan and Imbula in this image, as neither player is anywhere near where you'd like a holding midfielder to be in this situation. The poor pass across the pitch is the fault of the passer, but one or both of Whelan or Imbula ought to be close enough to the play to, at worst, pull Lennon down and take a yellow card to prevent a clear breakaway.</p>
<p>Stoke made mistakes in this match, but the Toffees was completely prepared to take advantage of the Potters' shortcomings. Martinez set out his team with the clear directive to absorb pressure and strike on the counter attack. This hasn't always worked in the past for Everton, but there was a clear difference in Saturday's plan, which is clear in Everton's player influence map.</p>
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<p>Everton's backline is still not made to handle constant pressure. They aren't great at putting out fires and struggle to clear their lines at times, so it is important for the Toffees to manage a pressure-absorbing and counter-attacking plan correctly.</p>
<p>For this to work, the backline must have help from the midfield. Four of the players in Saturday's midfield were players who are comfortable defending, and that showed from the start of the match.</p>
<p>When Stoke had the ball, Lennon and Cleverley dropped deeper than we are accustomed to seeing Everton's wingers, turning the 4-2-3-1 into more of a 4-4-1-1.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://lineupbuilder.com/350x500/?p=11&a=1&t=&c=2a17bd&1=GK_Robles__388_174&2=DL_Oviedo__317_64&3=DCL_Funes%20Mori__327_138&4=DCR_Jagielka__327_211&5=DR_Coleman__317_284&6=DM_Barry__255_137&7=DM_McCarthy__256_210&8=ML_Cleverley__248_61&9=MC_Barkley__187_175&10=MR_Lennon__246_289&11=AC_Lukaku__124_177&c2=ffffff&c3=ffffff&output=embed" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" height="500" width="350"></iframe></p>
<p>Having four competent defenders in front of the backline took a significant burden off <span>Phil Jagielka</span> and co., limiting the chances Stoke created.</p>
<p>Unlike against Newcastle midweek, Everton never even really conceded a great chance to Stoke, and a combined team effort deserves the credit for that.</p>
<p>In particular though, Cleverley and Oviedo deserve a lot of credit once again for completely shutting down a dangerous attacker on their wing. Against Newcastle, the pair helped to neutralize the threat of <span>Moussa Sissoko</span>, who was the focal point of the Magpies' attack. Against Stoke, Cleverley and Oviedo took <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> completely out of the match.</p>
<p>The Swiss winger was Everton's undoing in the first match between these clubs, so shutting him down was clearly a focus of Saturday's match. A look at Shaqiri's activity map (courtesy of EvertonFC.com) clearly illustrates how little he impacted the match.</p>
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<p>Shaqiri barely put any balls into the box and had only one shot, a hopeful effort which went far wide. So slight was his impact that Hughes saw fit to remove Shaqiri after only 60 minutes.</p>
<p>When Everton's prepared defense eventually forced turnovers, they were prepared to strike through the center of the pitch in the areas abandoned by Stoke's central players.</p>
<p>Though the Toffees used the same starting lineup from their midweek win against Newcastle United, Saturday's win against Stoke City was a completely different performance. Everton allowed Stoke to keep the ball in non-dangerous areas, waited for space to open, and struck on the counter attack.</p>
<p>The incisiveness of the Everton counter is nothing new, but the team's ability to defend adequately while playing for the counter is a new and encouraging development. The team's midfield, particularly its wingers, Lennon and Cleverley, made a massive difference in the Toffees' ability to keep the opposition from creating chances.</p>
<p>Is there room for Gerard Deulofeu and Kevin Mirallas to get back into the midfield? Perhaps even more interestingly, is there room for Leighton Baines or <span>John Stones</span> at the back?</p>
<p>For as long as the team is defending competently and the midfield is creating chances, it is hard to see Martinez making any changes.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/7/10930922/everton-stoke-city-tactical-analysis-roberto-martinez-counter-attackAdam.Braun2016-02-07T13:46:07+00:002016-02-07T13:46:07+00:00Seamus Goalman dedicates strike to his newborn<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/696260313201537024">Seamus Goalman dedicates strike to his&nbsp;newborn</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Everton defender Seamus Coleman is having a wonderful few days. He became a father for the first time on Friday with the birth of his baby daughter, and he dedicated his goal and celebration yesterday to her.</p></p></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/7/10930252/seamus-goalman-dedicates-strike-to-his-new-daughterCalvin2016-02-07T08:00:02+00:002016-02-07T08:00:02+00:00Everton at Stoke City: Extended Highlights
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<figcaption>Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>All the goals, saves, chances and more</p> <p>Everton won 3-0 for the third straight game, though that could have been easily more without Jack Butland sparing the home side further embarrassment. Stoke City were pretty awful for long periods of the game, but with stellar performances from about half a dozen Blues they had no chance.</p>
<p>Romelu Lukaku finally scored again, this time a penalty after Tom Cleverley was brought down by Butland. Soon after, Seamus Coleman (no less!) flicked home a header from a corner to put the Blues up by two within half an hour. It was to get worse for the Potters, as the excellent Aaron Lennon intercepted an errant pass and put the Toffees commandingly in the lead.</p>
<p>There were some tense moments for Everton in the second half, but the defence held strong and marked three consecutive clean sheets for Joel Robles and his boys, two in the Premier League. Manager Roberto Martinez did not do any dance moves, but if the Blues can keep this form going he will be hard-pressed to not cut some more shapes.</p>
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<p style="text-align: right;">Video courtesy of<i> <a href="http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2016/02/06/stoke-city-vs-everton-highlights-full-match/">Full Matches & Shows</a></i></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/7/10929266/everton-at-stoke-city-extended-highlights-february-2016Calvin2016-02-06T18:29:59+00:002016-02-06T18:29:59+00:00Everton almost had Roberto dancing again
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<figcaption>Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>"..it would have been difficult to beat the moves we had on the pitch.."</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> have had a tremendous week - three straight 3-0 wins and <span>Roberto Martinez</span> is a happy man. After he was seen <a href="http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/5/10921858/roberto-martinez-at-a-jason-derulo-concert">dancing away</a> at a Jason Derulo concert in midweek, the away fans were chanting for the gaffer to 'cut some shapes' but he politely declined.</p>
<p><span>Aaron Lennon</span> had another stellar game, but he was not the only one with <span>Ross Barkley</span>, <span>Bryan Oviedo</span> and <span>Tom Cleverley</span> putting in great shifts and the midfield pair of <span>Gareth Barry</span> and <span>James McCarthy</span> shutting down <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke City</a>.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton">@Everton</a>, Can you ask Mr Martinez what <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonderulo">@jasonderulo</a> song he would like in our pre-match playlist? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCFC?src=hash">#SCFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/BzOnDpJhI1">https://t.co/BzOnDpJhI1</a></p>
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) <a href="https://twitter.com/stokecity/status/695556170237476864">February 5, 2016</a>
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<p>Bet the Potters are regretting that tweet now?</p>
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<p>"It's been a good week and I'm pleased with the manner in which we got the three 3-0 wins.</p>
<p>"Early on in the season we showed we can score goals against anyone and create really good starts and solid performances at the end of games, but we sometimes threw away leads too cheaply.</p>
<p>"What pleases me as a manager is the players always look to take responsibility and learn. We showed a different, mature side of our play in the last three matches - we were able to manage the games, defend well when we had to and in the second half today we had four clear-cut opportunities that, if you want to be critical, we should have taken.</p>
<p>"You have to highlight the performance of Stoke's goalkeeper [<span>Jack Butland</span>]. He controlled three or four big moments but, overall, to keep a clean sheet at the Britannia with that scoreline and with the performance we had shows you how far we have come this season and how hungry the group is to finish it really strongly."</p>
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<p>The traveling Toffees chanted in unison for the manager to repeat his midweek dance, but the manager responded with -</p>
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<p>"I thought about it to be honest, but it would have been difficult to beat the moves we had on the pitch today.</p>
<p>"I thought Cleverley, Barkley and Lukaku had the best moves of the game and I'm going to keep my big moves for a better occasion."</p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/6/10927374/everton-almost-had-roberto-dancing-again-stoke-february-deruloCalvin2016-02-06T00:25:54+00:002016-02-06T00:25:54+00:00Stoke City vs Everton: How to Watch & Gamethread
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<figcaption>Dave Thompson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Everton are on the road Saturday afternoon as they take on Stoke. We have all the details on how to follow the match live.</p> <p>This past Wednesday, <a target="_blank" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> picked up their first league win since Boxing Day. Let that sink in if you'd like. The 1:0 Boxing Day victory was picked up on the road at <a target="_blank" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle United</a>. This week's 3:0 win was at home against Newcastle United. In December, the follow up match was two days later and the result was a 3-4 home loss to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke</a>. The follow up match now is three days later on the road at Stoke.</p>
<p>Does any of this matter? No, but I have a word count that I need to hit before I can publish.</p>
<p>With Wednesday's victory, the Toffees move up one spot in the table to eleventh place. They are very much in the thick of things at the middle of the table and a victory over the Potters would move them up as Stoke currently sit in tenth place with a one point advantage.</p>
<p>The Premier League can be funny; with all of the struggles that Everton has gone through this year, they are still in contention for qualifying for a Euro League spot. Points are increasing in value and matches will start to become scarce quickly. If the Blues are going to make a push, now would be the time.</p>
<p><b>Match Date and Time:</b> Saturday, February 6<sup>th</sup> at 15:00 GMT / 10:00 a.m. EST</p>
<p><b>Stadium:</b> Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent</p>
<p>Capacity: 27,902</p>
<p><b>Match Forecast:</b> 10° C / 50° F; Rainy and Windy. Winds South at 24mph. 85% chance of rain.</p>
<p><b>TV:</b> Not Listed - UK / NBCSN Premier League Extra Time - USA</p>
<p><b>Radio:</b> Live audio stream via Everton's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.evertonfc.com/fixtures/2010-to-2019/2015-2016/barclays-premier-league/stoke-city-vs-everton">Match Centre</a></p>
<p><b>Live Stream:</b> <a href="http://www.nbcsports.com/live-extra" target="_blank"><b>NBC Sports Live Extra</b></a> - USA</p>
<p><b>Info from:</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1614097/stoke-city-vs-everton/">Livesoccertv</a></p>
<p><b>Lineups:</b></p>
<p>Everton Starting XI:</p>
<p>Everton Substitutes:</p>
<p>Stoke City Starting XI:</p>
<p>Stoke City Substitutes:</p>
<p align="center"><b>Like Royal Blue Mersey on </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rbmersey" target="_blank"><b>Facebook</b></a><b> </b><b>& Follow @RBMersey on </b><a href="https://twitter.com/rbmersey" target="_blank"><b>Twitter</b></a></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/6/10922160/stoke-city-vs-everton-february-2016-live-stream-start-time-tv-schedule-and-how-to-watchRyan_Blank2016-02-05T19:40:51+00:002016-02-05T19:40:51+00:00Stoke v Everton - Match Preview
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<figcaption>Dave Thompson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Toffees take on the Potters at the Britannia Stadium.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton</a>ians are in much higher spirits than they were seven days ago thanks to two wins in as many games as well as a new £13.5m deadline day striker.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sunday’s comfortable FA Cup victory at Carlisle was followed up by Wednesday’s win over <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Newcastle</a> at Goodison Park, Everton’s first league win since Boxing Day and first at home since November.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Both games featured starring performances from <span>Ross Barkley</span>, who now has four goals in his past three matches.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The 22-year-old is showing signs of greater maturity, particularly in his decision-making, prompting <span>Roberto Martinez</span>todeclare the England international is now one of the leaders in the team.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Saturday’s trip to Stoke offers Everton the chance to erase memories of their previous meeting with the Potters in December.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Back then Everton twice came from behind to lead 3-2 with 10 minutes left, only to concede two late goals in a dramatic and heart-breaking defeat.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">It was an afternoon that aptly summed up Everton under Martinez, whose bold attacking ambitions are consistently hamstrung by a neglect of defensive responsibilities.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">The supporters’ trust in Martinez’s tenure has slowly eroded since that day in December despite a recent upturn in results.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">Those wins after all have been against a League 2 team and a poor Newcastle side currently third from bottom in the Premier League.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">Saturday’s game at a no doubt wet and windy Britannia Stadium will be a much more accurate test of Everton’s recent revival.</p>
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<h4>The opposition</h4>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">The tough, physical and direct Potters team of <span>Tony Pulis</span> looks an increasingly long way from the new-look side under <span>Mark Hughes</span>.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">For once there was <span>Rory Delap</span> and Ricardo Fuller there’s now <span>Xherdan Shaqiri</span> and Bojan and greater emphasis on refined passing football.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">On transfer deadline day Stoke spent a club-record £18.3m on Porto midfielder Giannelli Imbula, a symbol of the club’s growing financial muscle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">Despite that hefty investment the season has threatened to turn sour for the Potters in recent weeks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">They have lost their last four matches, tumbling out of two competitions in the process, as well as slipping down to 10<sup>th</sup> in the table, just one point and one place above Everton.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">Their league record at the Britannia is equally inconsistent, with five wins, two draws and four defeats so far this campaign.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Team news</h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">Everton will assess <span>Romelu Lukaku</span> ahead of kick-off after the Belgian was forced off with a back injury against Newcastle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"><span>Tim Howard</span> will again miss out so <span>Joel Robles</span> will deputise. <span>John Stones</span> and Muhamed Besic are also absent but <span>Kevin Mirallas</span> could return after a knee injury.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">New signing Oumar Niasse is waiting for his visa paperwork to come through so may not be able to feature at the Britannia Stadium.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Final word</h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">The stark reality is that Everton haven’t beaten a side outside of the bottom three since the end of September and haven’t won back-to-back league games all season.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">The last week has been nice, but it isn’t any great improvement on what we saw in the first half of the campaign.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;">A win at the Britannia though would be a tangible sign of progress from a side – and manager – that has flattered to deceive in recent months.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"><b>Predicted starting XI:</b> Robles, Baines, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Barkley, Lennon, Lukaku.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 84.65pt;"> </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/5/10924100/stoke-v-everton-premier-league-match-previewTom Mallows2016-02-05T17:00:02+00:002016-02-05T17:00:02+00:00"I have better moves than that!"- Roberto's Quotes
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8kTNmpGUGTNWIO2NKPsQNmDoGBo=/750x90:2362x1165/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48737831/GettyImages-507862512.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Clint Hughes/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>"I have better moves than that!" says Toffees gaffer.</p> <p><b>When Roberto Martinez sat down for his press conference ahead of <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton's</a> trip to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Stoke City</a>, the opening subject was a little less serious than Saturday's fixture.</b></p>
<p><i>"Yes it was me - but normally I have better moves than that, I promise,"</i> said Martinez in the wake of <a href="http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/5/10921858/roberto-martinez-at-a-jason-derulo-concert">a video going viral of him</a> throwing shapes at a Jason Derulo concert.</p>
<p><i>"I'm a big fan. It is always good to get inspiration from creative people,"</i> he continued.</p>
<p>Focusing on more pressing matters, Martinez said, <span><i>"Stoke have a phenomenal home record, but this is an important game for us on the back of a good win at home."</i></span></p>
<p>In terms of team news for the trip to the Britannia, the Spaniard revealed, <i><span>"<span>Kevin Mirallas</span> should be back for Stoke. Tim Howard is likely to be out. <span>John Stones</span></span><span> had a bit of a niggle in his hamstring and he had a scan yesterday and it was all clear."</span></i></p>
<p><i>"I think it was a fatigue reaction,"</i> he explained, <i>"He is 21 and at this stage has played more games than at any time in his professional career. </i></p>
<p><i>"I expect him to be back in the next week or 10 days."</i></p>
<p><span>Romelu Lukaku</span> came off at half-time during the win against <a href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Newcastle</a> with an injury to his back following Fabricio Coloccini's knee to his back in the first half. In light of Wednesday's injury the Blues gaffer said, <span><i>"Lukaku couldn't walk. He had a knee in his back and tried to run it off in the first half and couldn't."</i></span></p>
<p><span><i>"We are playing on Saturday and it will be difficult to see him make it but it is not a major problem."</i></span></p>
<p>Lukaku's potential absence could mean a debut for £13.5million signing Oumar Niasse but Roberto said, <span><i>"We are still waiting for paperwork on Oumar Niasse's visa, but we hope to have him available."</i></span></p>
<p><span>Ross Barkley's</span> outstanding display on Wednesday evening has earned him a lot of praise the last few days and his manager said, <i>"Ross Barkley <span>is obsessed with getting better and he has world class talent. You can rely on a character like him."</span></i></p>
<p>Yesterday there was a report quoting Andriy Yarmolenko as saying he would rather sign for Everton over Barcelona because of the chance of playing first team football. Martinez didn't give too much away when reacting to this story by saying, <span><i>"Yarmolenko is one of the best footballers of his generation, but he is registered with another club and we are respectful of that."</i></span></p>
<p>Finally, with the Toffees potential rise up the table back on the agenda after getting back to winning ways, the boss said, <i>"We have two important league games before the FA Cup fifth round, then the final third of the season begins. We can set targets then."</i></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2016/2/5/10922206/everton-at-stoke-city-roberto-martinez-pre-match-quotesseanferguson