Stoke's relegation fears deepened as Charlie Adam was sent off in a 2-1 victory for Everton where Cenk Tosun scored twice.
Adam's 30th-minute dismissal for a studs-up lunge on Wayne Rooney proved costly as Tosun netted a brace, the second an 84th-minute winner to end the Toffees' run of five straight away Premier League defeats.
Stoke substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had cancelled out Tosun's opener but the Turkey international took his tally to four goals in three games to decide the contest in Everton's favour.
Potters boss Paul Lambert had elected to place faith in his more experienced campaigners in selecting the likes of Ryan Shawcross, Glen Johnson, Adam and Peter Crouch.
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