Unlucky Given gifts Everton win

Everton continued their unbeaten start to the season under Ronald Koeman as Shay Given’s unfortunate own goal handed them a 1-0 over Stoke City at Goodison Park.

Phil Bardsley conceded a penalty for tripping Ashley Williams in the box just after half-time and, though Given did brilliantly to tip Leighton Baines’ spot-kick onto the post, the ball rebounded into the net off his head.

Stoke pushed for an equaliser in the second half with Marko Arnautovic their primary threat but were unable to beat the excellent Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

After a scrappy opening, the game’s first moment of real quality came from Kevin Mirallas on the edge of the box when he skipped past Glenn Whelan and drilled a low shot which Shay Given got down smartly to save.

It was Stoke who looked more composed in the first quarter with Joe Allen seeing a lot of the ball as he enjoyed a free role in midfield.

Peter Crouch started for the Potters after his hat-trick against Stevenage in the EFL Cup on Tuesday and Stoke targeted him with floated crosses from the right.

He was isolated with 19-year-old Mason Holgate at the back post on one of those balls from Phil Bardsley but elected to attempt a scissors kick and that …

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