2013/12/01
Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu, who has looked lively in substitute appearances and cup games, finally got his full Premier League debut in this match and repaid Roberto Martinez's faith in him early and often. He had a bending free kick saved in the 3rd minute and eventually scored the opener just before the halftime break.
Deulofeu's first Premier League goal was a brilliant one, coming on the end of an exchange of one-touch passes. He started the meat of the attack with a pass to Steven Pienaar, which was immediately returned. He did the same with Gareth Barry, who played him in on goal. Deulofeu took one touch to get around Asmir Begovic and steady himself, then beat the Stoke keeper high and to the near post to send Everton into the dressing room with a lead.
A close game turned into an absolute rout quickly. Deulofeu set up his team's second in the 49th minute with a cross towards the back post, which reached Barry. It wasn't immediately clear if his touch was accidental or intentional, but the effect was a stellar backheel into the path of Seamus Coleman, who finished to make it 2-0.
Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku forced a double save out of Begovic in the 55th minute that looked to be a big moment that kept Stoke in the game at the time, but Everton would secure the result with another goal three minutes later. Bryan Oviedo made it 3-0 with a long shot off the near post from 25 yards, converting off a short corner routine.
Lukaku capped off the scoring just over 10 minutes from time, turning in a cross from Oviedo to complete his side's demolition job.
Everton: Howard, Oviedo, Distin, Jagielka, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy (Stones 74'), Pienaar (Mirallas 83'), Osman, Deulofeu, Lukaku (Jelavic 80')
Goals: Deulofeu (45'), Coleman (49'), Oviedo (58'), Lukaku (79')
Stoke: Begovic, Pieters, Muniesa, Shawcross, Cameron, Whelan, Nzonzi, Adam (Jones 59'), Walters (Shea 59'), Crouch, Assaidi
Goals: None
