Everton 3-4 Stoke: Shaqiri’s chips don’t lie

Daniel Storey

Romelu Lukaku and Xherdan Shaqiri both scored twice as Stoke beat Everton 4-3 at Goodison.

Shaqiri opened the scoring in a cracking Barclays Premier League game at Goodison Park by finishing off a smart move involving Bojan Krkic and Arnautovic but Romelu Lukaku levelled from James McCarthy’s pass.

Shaqiri then scored a peach to restore Stoke’s lead on the stroke of half-time with a sublime chip over Tim Howard but again Lukaku struck after converting a wonderful pass from Tom Cleverley for his 11th goal in 10 games.

Gerard Deulofeu’s goal pushed Everton in front but Stoke recovered superbly as Howard could only palm a cross into the path of Joselu to score, and Arnautovic snatched the three points with a penalty after he had been fouled in the box by John Stones.

Tottenham underlined their top-four credentials with a 2-1 win at Watford which took them up to third.

Watford, who had won four in a row prior to their draw at Chelsea on Boxing Day, fell behind when Craig Cathcart lost possession in a dangerous position and Erik Lamela swept the ball home in the 17th minute, but Odion Ighalo drew Watford level after holding off Eric Dier to score in a sixth consecutive match.

The Hornets were reduced to 10 men in the 63rd minute as Nathan Ake was dismissed for a high challenge on Lamela and the extra man told as Son Heung-min turned home Kieran Trippier’s cross in the 89th minute.

Norwich earned a crucial win in the battle to avoid relegation, moving 12 points clear of bottom side Aston Villa with a 2-0 win over the midlands club at Carrow Road.

Jonny Howson’s left-foot volley gave the Canaries the lead in the 24th minute and Dieumerci Mbokani made sure by heading in Wes Hoolahan’s cross with three minutes to go.

West Brom also eased some nerves with a 1-0 win over Newcastle at the Hawthorns, with Darren Fletcher heading in the only goal in the 78th minute.

The match between Crystal Palace and Swansea at Selhurst Park finished goalless, with Swans goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski’s save denying Brede Hangeland early in the second half. The result means the Eagles are now unbeaten in six.