Stoke City netted a 91st-minute penalty to clinch a thrilling 4-3 victory against Everton at Goodison Park this afternoon.
Xherdan Shaqiri twice put Stoke in front, only to be pegged back on both occasions by Romelu Lukaku before Gerard Deulofeu gave the hosts the lead for the first time.
Joselu levelled things back up at 3-3 with 10 minutes remaining, however, while Marko Arnautovic won it for the visitors at the death having won and then dispatched a spot kick.
Find out how all of the action unfolded during a remarkable encounter courtesy of Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute coverage below.
2.30pmGood afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the final match of the year for both Everton and Stoke City as they face off at Goodison Park. Both teams are level on points coming into this match and will still harbour ambitions of a top-10 finish following an encouraging first half of the campaign. Let's start with a look at the teams on show...
2.32pmEVERTON STARTING XI: Howard; Coleman, Funes Mori, Stones, Galloway; Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu, Kone, Barkley; Lukaku
2.32pmEVERTON SUBS: Robles, Baines, Gibson, Naismith, Cleverley, Besic, Osman
2.34pmSTOKE STARTING XI: Butland; Johnson, Wollscheid, Shawcross, Pieters; Whelan, Affelay, Cameron, Arnautovic, Shaqiri; Bojan
2.36pmWhat can we make of those two teams, then? Well, it is common to see changes with such a quick turnaround in fixtures and Everton have made four to the side that clinched that last-second win over Newcastle, including the match winner Tom Cleverley dropping to the bench. He is replaced by fit-again McCarthy in the starting lineup, while Deulofeu and Kone, both of whom were rested at St James' Park are both also back in the team in place of Lennon and Mirallas.
2.38pmRomelu Lukaku leads the line once again having scored six goals in his last six games at Goodison Park, although his blank against Newcastle was the first time that he had failed to score in an Everton match since October 27. He has linked up very well with the likes of Barkley and Deulofeu in recent weeks, though, so will be confident of quickly returning to the scoresheet today. Everton's fourth change comes at left-back, with Baines dropping out to be replaced by Galloway having only recently returned from a long-term injury.
2.40pmAs for Stoke, despite two games in the space of three days Mark Hughes has named an unchanged side for the trip to Merseyside following their victory over Manchester United last time out. Shaqiri, Cameron and Whelan all picked up minor injuries during that victory, but they are all deemed fit enough to start again this afternoon so it will be interesting to see how they - and the rest of the team - deal with such a quick turnaround.
2.42pmThe Stoke danger man in recent weeks has been Arnautovic, whose goal against United on Saturday took him to six for the season - more than he managed in his two previous seasons combined. Along with Shaqiri and Bojan, he creates an attacking trio that is a far cry from Stoke's style when they first came into the division - a testament to the evolution they have enjoyed under Hughes so far. They can cause any team problems now, while at the back they have arguably the league's in-form keeper in the shape of Butland.
2.44pmThey are, however, coming up against a dangerous Everton attack here. Only Manchester City and Leicester have scored more goals than the Toffees this season, although the Stoke attack will fancy their chances against a defence that has also conceded 24 times this term. Goals are almost guaranteed at Goodison Park at the moment - Everton have seen 34 fly in at their home ground this season and 19 in their last four outings on home soil - an average of 4.8 per game.
2.46pmOf course, not all of them have gone the way of Everton, and they have actually amassed more points away from home than at Goodison Park so far this season. Only Manchester City have scored more than the Toffees in front of their own fans, but at the same time no team has conceded more either. Perhaps the big concern for Martinez is that their only home wins this season have come against teams currently in the bottom six of the table, while they have picked up only three points from a possible 18 from home games against sides not in the bottom six.
2.48pmIt should also be noted, though, that their only defeats so far this season have come against Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Leicester - all of whom were in the top four when they faced Everton. Draws have been a problem this season - Everton have shared the spoils in eight of their 18 league games - but they have only lost one of their last 10 in all competitions since a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in October.
2.50pmStoke have, in many ways, been the opposite to Everton so far this season. While games involving the Toffees have seen goals galore, Stoke have both the second best defensive record and the second worst attack record in the division, scoring and conceding 16 goals in their 18 games. Hughes will, understandably, point out the positive aspect of that, and there is no doubting that their defensive record this season has been impressive. They have kept eight clean sheets in their last 11 league games, while only Manchester United have kept more all season. In all competitions they have prevented the opposition from scoring in four of their last five games and seven of their last nine.
2.52pmIt was a relatively slow start to the season for Stoke, but they have lost just one of their last five games and three of their last 15 in all competitions now. Their victories have generally been by the odd goal, but they have improved in that respect recently. December has seen them beat both Manchester clubs 2-0 - their only victories by more than one this season and also their only wins against top-half opposition in the current campaign.
2.54pmTheir form has been particularly impressive away from home, where they have lost just twice in 11 outings all season. Only one of those defeats has come since September, and again they have their impeccable defensive record to thank. They have kept six clean sheets in their last seven away games in all competitions (five in six in the Premier League), with Sunderland the only team to score past the visiting Potters since Arsenal in September. No team has conceded fewer away goals, but only Newcastle have scored fewer too.
2.55pmPREDICTION: We're nearing kickoff at Goodison Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is a tough one to call, and it will be interesting to see which style comes out on top between Everton's goal-laden performances and Stoke's more frugal approach. Stoke will fancy their chances against any side at the moment, but I have a feeling for Everton today. I'll go for a 2-1 home victory.
2.57pmHistorically, Everton have had by far the better of things between these two sides here, winning 38 and losing just nine of their 59 home league meetings with Stoke, including seven of the last 10 in the top flight. Stoke, though, won both fixtures last season without conceding a goal and are unbeaten in their last three against the Toffees.
2.59pmBefore kickoff, there is a minute of applause in tribute to those Evertonians who have lost their lives over the course of 2015.
1 minKICKOFF: Here we go then! Stoke get us underway for their final match of 2015 as they look to end the year on a high against a team also vying for European places.
1 minBright start to the match from Stoke and they create an early shooting opportunity as Bojan and Shaqiri link up to find Arnautovic, whose drive from 25 yards is blocked.
3 minEverton respond with their first threatening moment of the match, and it is no surprise that Lukaku is involved. He drifts out to the right before playing a ball into the box looking for Kone's diagonal run, but it is just too far in front of the Ivorian.
5 minEverton have seen the majority of the ball in these opening exchanges, as expected, and they seem keen to impress their style on Stoke rather than the other way round. They are trying to get it forward nice and early for the runs of Lukaku.
7 minConcern for Wollscheid here as he goes down on the edge of his own box, and on come the physios to provide treatment. It doesn't look like anything serious, however, and sure enough the defender is soon back on his feet and should be fine to continue.
9 minStill no chances to speak of in the opening exchanges here. It is Everton who are being the main aggressors, though, seeing all of the ball at the moment.
10 minNice play from Barkley as he spins his man on the edge of the area before looking to curl on into the far corner. It looks like it could cause Butland some problems, but Whelan gets an important block in to send it behind for a corner.
12 minCHANCE! The best moment of the match so far sees Bojan ghost past a couple of blue shirts before finding Arnautovic on the right side of the area. The angle is against him, but he still takes the shot on, sending an effort a few yards wide of the far post.
13 minSHOT! This is a waste of a good platform for Lukaku. Barkley slides the ball to the Belgian just inside the Stoke half, and suddenly it all opens up for him. The runs of Kone and Deulofeu mean that no defenders come to close him down but, despite having plenty of time to get his body shape right, he blazes a poor effort well over the top.
16 minGOAL! Everton 0-1 Stoke (Xherdan Shaqiri)
16 minFirst blood goes to Stoke City, and what a goal it is form the visitors. The front three combine brilliantly, with Bojan starting things by gliding past his man and poking a pass inside to Arnautovic. He in turn helps it on one more for Shaqiri in the box, and the Swiss winger plants his finish into the bottom corner for his first Premier League goal.
18 minHalf a chance for Everton to get an immediate reply as Barry's corner is sent into a decent area. Stoke rises highest in the box, but it is still just too high for him and he can only get a glancing connection.
20 minThat front three for Stoke has looked dangerous every time they have got the ball, in particular Bojan. The rest of the team have been relatively slow and deliberate in their build-up, but when it gets to the front three Stoke can really move up the gears.
22 minGOAL! Everton 1-1 Stoke (Romelu Lukaku)
22 minEverton get a quick reply, and it is another nice piece of passing which provides it. Barkley brings the ball to the edge of the area before teeing up McCarthy, who looks set to fire an effort at goal having been afforded space. However, he disguises a pass in to Lukaku, who is just onside and finds himself with plenty of room inside the box. He has time to take a touch, before sliding a cool finish underneath Butland.
24 minYELLOW CARD! Wollscheid becomes the first name in the book this afternoon for a rather needless foul.
26 minEVERTON SUB: The hosts are forced into an early change here as McCarthy walks off to be replaced by Tom Cleverley. There doesn't appear to be anything major wrong with the returning midfielder, but he is not able to continue.
28 minFortunately for the neutral, this match is nice and open at the moment. Both teams are looking dangerous when coming forward and that is making for a good, entertaining contest at the moment.
30 minIt is Everton who are looking the more dangerous of the two right now, though. Stoke have their backs to the wall a little here as Everton smell blood following that equaliser. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match.
32 minCHANCE! Decent opening for Everton, but it falls to the wrong man. Barkley is again involved in the build-up, driving forward with the ball right at the heart of the Stoke defence. Just as he is beginning to be pushed out wide he back-heels it into the path of Galloway, who fires a low effort a yard or so wide of the far post.
34 minShaqiri gives the thumbs up after opening his Premier League account by putting the finishing touches to a fine team move.
© Getty Images
35 minPenalty shout for Everton as the overlapping Coleman latches on to a pass inside the full-back before going down under the challenge of Pieters. It was certainly worth appealing for, and another ref may have given it, but Mark Clattenburg says no.
38 minIt is still Everton who are looking the most likely here, but Stoke have tightened things up a little at the back. They are being forced to bring almost everyone back to defend, though, which is limiting their attacking options.
39 minLovely play from Barkley on the touchline as he spins past Johnson with a sublime bit of skill. He cuts inside and create space to shoot, but, his effort is tame and comfortably blocked.
40 minYELLOW CARD! Great decision from Clattenburg as he shows a yellow card to Deulofeu for diving. The Spaniard had space to come forward with only Shawcross in front of him, before pushing the ball past the defender on the edge of the box and going down. The replays show that there was no contact between the two, though, and Deulofeu is rightly punished.
42 minShaqiri almost gets his side into trouble on his way back to his own goal, knocking the ball straight to Lukaku on the edge of the area, but the Clattenburg saves the Stoke man by awarding a free kick in his favour.
44 minMore nice football from Stoke and it almost releases Arnautovic again, although he just strayed offside as the ball was played. He has made that dangerous diagonal run behind the defence on a number of occasions, though.
45 minGOAL! Everton 1-2 Stoke (Xherdan Shaqiri)
45 minOh my word, what a goal this is to put Stoke back in front, and it is a second for Shaqiri! A long diagonal ball over the top finds the Swiss winger through on goal, but it was far from an easy finish. The ball was bobbling up, but he somehow managed to control a half-volley over Howard and into the top corner. There is a moment of stunned silence in Goodison before the visiting fans realise what has just happened, and then they erupt. Remarkable finish.
45+1 minThere will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
45+2 minHALF TIME: Everton 1-2 Stoke City
3.54pmMark Clattenburg blows the half-time whistle, with part of Goodison Park still in disbelief after that Shaqiri goal at the end of the half. It gives Stoke the lead at the interval, though, despite Everton seeing more of the ball and creating more chances than their visitors. It has been a good, open encounter so far, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more goals in this one.
3.56pmThe opening goal arrived in the 16th minute as Shaqiri got his first Premier League strike, finishing off a fine team move from the visitors. Bojan and Arnautovic were both involved in the build-up, setting up Shaqiri inside the box and leaving the Swiss with a relatively simple finish past Howard.
3.58pmEverton levelled things up just six minutes later, however, and it was another good team goal to restore parity. Barkley created a great shooting opportunity for McCarthy on the edge of the area, but instead of going for goal himself he slid a cleverley disguised pass in to an unmarked Lukaku in the box for the Belgian to finish.
4pmThe two teams looked set to go in all square until the final minute of the opening 45, when Shaqiri doubled his personal tally and gave the visitors the lead with a remarkable finish. Released by a long diagonal ball over the top, Shaqiri managed to control a half-volleyed lob over Howard and into the far corner while on the run, leaving the stranded Everton keeper no chance.
4.02pmBoth sides have had other sights of goal so far, with Arnautovic firing the first wide of the far post and both Lukaku and Galloway squandering decent opportunities from outside the area. The clear-cut chances have generally been snapped up, however.
46 minKICKOFF: Everton get us back underway for the second half here as they look to turn things around against Stoke in their final match of 2015.
48 minImportant block from Johnson as Cleverley collects Lukaku pass on the spin before working a shooting opportunity for himself just inside the box. His effort is goalbound, but Johnson is there to prevent it from causing Butland any problems.
50 minA good, quick start to this second half too as Everton in particular look to get on the front foot. They have already been caught out twice on the break, though, so Stoke won't be too worried to see this.
51 minVery important interception from Pieters as he slides in to get a tow to Kone's attempt ball through for Lukaku. The Everton striker would have been left with another simple finish had that got through.
52 minReally good work from Johnson as he picks up the ball on the right before bursting past Cleverley to reach the byline. However, he has no-one in the box to pick out, forcing him to keep hold of it until Everton can get back and force a corner.
54 minGood pressure from Everton as they pepper the Stoke box with crosses, but the visitors hold out. The hosts do look capable of scoring, though.
56 minArnautovic is perhaps a little fortunate to get away without a card here having blocked off Deulofeu, just moments after an intentional trip on Howard from a corner. Clattenburg chooses leniency, though.
58 minSAVE! Howard is called into action, but it is a simple one for the Everton keeper as he collects Cameron's long-range effort, which was straight at him.
60 minStill the pressure continues to arrive from Everton, but you have to say that Stoke look unflappable at the moment. It is easy to see why they have such an impressive defensive record this season.
63 minCHANCE! Chance for Everton as Deulofeu and Barkley combined to set up Kone, but with time to pick his spot, he leans back and puts his effort comfortably off target from just outside the area.
64 minSTOKE SUB: The visitors make a change here as Bojan departs to be replaced by Joselu.
64 minGOAL! Everton 2-2 Stoke (Romelu Lukaku)
64 minThere have been some good goals in this game, and this is another as Everton restore parity once again. Cleverley pings a beauty of a pass over the top for Lukaku, who runs behind the defence, takes the ball down brilliantly on his chest and then steers a finish past Butland. It is a fine finish from the Belgian, who is in magnificent form at the moment.
66 minEVERTON SUB: That pass proves to be Cleverley's last action of the match as he is replaced by Steven Naismith, presumably due to an injury as Cleverley came on as a sub himself in the first half, of course.
67 minShaqiri almost turns provider here as he steals in down the right channel before lifting a cross into the box that is marginally too high for Joselu.
68 minCLOSE! Everton are so close to moving into the lead for the first time this afternoon through the sub Naismith. Deulofeu fires a pass into the feet of Lukaku, who takes the sting out of it to tee up Naismith. The Scot has space inside the box to get a shot away, but Shawcross makes a vital block to turn it just wide for a corner.
70 minThis really has been an entertaining contest, as it always seems to be when Everton play at the moment. We've already seen four good goals, and there feels like there could be a few more to come too!
71 minGOAL! Everton 3-2 Stoke (Gerard Deulofeu)
71 minEverton take the lead for the first time, and it is a lightning break that provides their third goal. Lukaku slips a pass down the left channel for the overlapping Barkley, who in turn feeds a low cross right across the face of goal. Deulofeu is there at the back post to tap it home with a simple finish, sending Goodison Park wild. They have seen some cracking games here this season, and this is right up there.
74 minVery important interception from Howard as Naismith almost gifts Stoke an equaliser of their own! His back-pass is under-hit, allowing Arnautovic to race on to it, but Howard is there just in time to make the clearance.
77 minCHANCE! Really good work from Deulofeu as he gets dispossessed on the edge of the box but refuses to give up on it. He eventually wins the ball back before jinking his way inside, but his effort rolls a yard wide of the far post.
79 minSTOKE SUB: Attacking substitution from the visitors with just over 10 minutes left as Jonathan Walters replaces Cameron.
80 minGOAL! Everton 3-3 Stoke (Joselu)
80 minWe are level again! Stoke equalise through Joselu, and it is another fine finish. Arnautovic's initial cross into the box caused all of the problems, with Howard only able to get a hand to the ball and push it into a dangerous area. It drops to Joselu who, on his was away from goal, lashes a volley into the largely empty net.
82 minEverton have a good chance at the other end to regain the lead here as Joselu is harshly penalised for a handball right on the edge of the area...
83 minSAVE! The ball in from Deulofeu is a good one, but just too high for the blue shirts in the middle and Butland beats it away at the back post.
85 minWhat a game this has been, and there is still the sense that either side could win this one. It has been a joy to watch almost from start to finish.
87 minSTOKE SUB: The visitors make their third and final change, and it is two-goal Shaqiri who makes way to be replaced by Marco van Ginkel.
89 minCHANCE! Late chance for Coleman to grab what would surely be the winner here as a clearance falls straight to him, but he only has time for two touches and lashes the second over the top with a wild volley.
90 minPENALTY TO STOKE!
90+1 minGOAL! Everton 3-4 Stoke (Marko Arnautovic)
90+1 minSurely that is the winner in this remarkable game?! Stoke take the lead for the third time today, and this one comes from the penalty spot as Arnautovic lashes his effort down the middle from 12 yards, despite slipping while taking it. It was Arnautovic who won the penalty too, skipping past Stones before going down under the defender's sliding challenge, although replays show that Stones may well have got something on the ball.
90+3 minFULL TIME: Everton 3-4 Stoke City
4.55pmThat is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an incredible game between Everton and Stoke, with the visitors eventually running out 4-3 victors. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
