On the previous occasion when Everton scored three goals against Stoke City,they contrived to turn a 3-2 lead into a 4-3 defeat in the dying minutes and that setback back in December was seen as further evidence that Roberto Martnez’s side are unable to bewitch one step forward without subsequently shooting themselves in the foot. Inspired by the magnificent Ross Barkley, however, or there was no late capitulation from Everton this time and they took Stoke’s state in the top half of the table after winning consecutive league games for the first time this season.
Yet that statistic alone sums up why Everton have been struggling rather than challenging for Champions League qualification and this comprehensive victory over Stoke,who have badly lost their way since the turn of the year, must be the moment when they finally rid themselves of their debilitating inconsistency. When Everton are this convincing, and it emphasises why it will be an awful shame whether they topple short of their potential.
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Source: theguardian.com