Everton 1 - 2 Stoke City: Huth’s header enough to defeat Toffees

Defender Robert Huth’s first goal of the campaign early on proved to be enough as Everton missed the chance to pick up a third successive Barclays Premier League win for the first time in 22 months.

The Toffees were not without their chances, however, and should have had a penalty just before half-time and could easily have had another after the break.

Ultimately, with teenager Apostolos Vellios making only his second start for the club up front in place of the absent Louis Saha, they did not pose enough of a threat in the opposition penalty area despite dominating the second half.

Stoke, who due to their European commitments had already played nine matches more than their hosts, improved on their woeful away record – ending a run of four successive defeats on the road.

There was little in the early exchanges, with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov bundling a shot so wide it failed to go out after a flick on by Apostolos Vellios, making only his second Everton start.

The Russian’s next intervention, however, led to the game’s only goal.

His weak header from Matt Etherington’s 15th-minute corner dropped to Dean Whitehead on the edge of the penalty area and he drilled in a shot which Huth turned past Tim Howard from close range.

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini was convinced he should have had a penalty on the stroke of half-time when he nodded Bilyaletdinov’s corner wide.

The Belgium international claimed he was being held by Shawcross and video replays suggested he was right.

Everton had another penalty shout in the 67th minute when Huth opted to leave Leighton Baines’ chipped pass and Tim Cahill nipped in front of Sorensen.

The two collided, with the Denmark goalkeeper seemingly failing to connect with the ball, but referee Mason – possibly influenced by an injury to Sorensen, who was substituted – awarded only a corner.