Magic Mirallas

The Belgium international struck from an electrifyingly quick counter-attack in the first half which left defenders trailing in his wake.

Forward Kevin Mirallas kept Everton's bid for Champions League football alive with the only goal in a 1-0 victory to increase Stoke's worries as their slide down the table continued. 

evertons quest to play among Europe's elite for only the second time remains a possibility and the first half of next month is crucial to their hopes as they face Spurs and, more importantly, Arsenal - the team who stand between them and the top four.

Stoke, however, are looking over their shoulders with increasing anxiety as one win in 12 league matches has brought the bottom of the table into closer focus than manager Tony Pulis would have expected after finishing 2012 unbeaten in 10 games.

It took a while for everton to settle in this new and unfamiliar formation as they played a 3-4-1-2 and as a result Stoke should have gone ahead within three minutes.

Aside from two Nikica Jelavic headers, one straight at Asmir Begovic and the other deflected wide by Robert Huth, Everton produced little in the opening 25 minutes.

Goalkeeper Howard was returning to the starting line-up after recovering from two broken bones in his back but no-one expected him to provide the assist for the opening goal in the 28th minute. there are few who can match Mirallas in full flow and although Stoke scrambled to get back the £6million summer signing could not be caught, clipping a shot which Begovic got a hand to but could not stop.

other than that it was a resonably drab game and the two teams could only be sperated by a moment of individual genius.

Chris Robinson (@robinson_2k11)