Stoke City saluted in a dramatic clash with Everton at Goodison Park on Monday night.
Mark Hughes' Potters twice led before falling behind to the Toffees prior to a late revival that enabled them to come away with a 4-3 victory.
Xherdan Shaqiri scored his first goal for the club with a neat finish in the 16th minute after being found by a clever Marko Arnautovic pass before Romelu Lukaku fired Everton level on the turn six minutes later.
Swiss playmaker Shaqiri then added a second with a stunning half-volley from Bojan Krkic's lovely ball on the stroke of half-time prior to Lukaku helping himself to his 15th of the campaign when brilliantly controlling Tom Cleverley's pass with his chest and then coolly converting with his right foot.
The Toffees then went ahead in the 71st minute when Gerard Deulofeu slotted home Ross Barkley's low pass but substitute Joselu opened his Stoke account with a fine angled volley on 80 minutes to tie it up at 3-3.
In a sensational finish, Everton defender John Stones was penalised for bringing down Arnautovic in the area, despite getting a touch on the ball, and the Austrian converted form the spot in injury-time to give his side all three points.
The victory saw Stoke moved into ninth position as Roberto Martinez's Toffees fell from the top to 11th following a second defeat in three outings.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Everton: 3 (Romelu Lukaku 22'/64', Gerard Deulofeu 71')
Stoke City: 4 (Xherdan Shaqiri 16'/45', Joselu 80', Marko Arnautovic (PEN) 90+1')
Goodison Park, Liverpool - 39,340
TALKING POINTS
- What a contest! Were Everton unlucky to lose this one? Should the penalty have been awarded?
- Stoke look so dangerous when Shaqiri, Arnautovic and Bojan are all firing together. Will they make their presence felt in the top half in 2016?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Everton host Tottenham on Sunday as they look to bounce back as Stoke head to West Bromwich Albion with hopes of securing a third straight win.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Great teamperformance today!! And happy for my first premier league goals!!thank u potters for the great support! pic.twitter.com/htiVCva8Mb
— Xherdan Shaqiri (@XS_11official) December 28, 2015I'm very pleased to help my team in a big Win today! Thanks to our Fans for the unconditional support! #Potterspic.twitter.com/sstmUSwa96
— Joselu Mato (@JoseluMato9) December 28, 2015The result was bad for us. We need to turn it around.. Thanks for your support again pic.twitter.com/geB0TCFFJ7
— R.Lukaku Bolingoli10 (@RomeluLukaku9) December 28, 2015The defeat hurt today. We have to work hard together to win more games! Thanks to the fans for the support! #COYBpic.twitter.com/64YsyLBDos
— Gerard Deulofeu (@gerardeulofeu) December 28, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Everton's Martinez on the annoying manner of the defeat courtesy of referee Mark Clattnburg's questionable call:
"The feeling is extra frustrating today because you cannot understand how such an experienced referee gives that decision right at the end.
"It is such a wrong call. Someone with his experience should understand the game a bit more."
Stoke boss Hughes on the performance of Shaqiri:
“It was only a matter of time that he would score and I think people have seen in recent weeks that he's been getting to grips with his league,
“He has shown a real desire, determination and understanding about what the Premier League is about."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
7 - Ross Barkley has more assists than any other Englishman in the Premier League this season. Craftsman.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 201540 - Lukaku has scored 40 PL goals for Everton, only the fifth #EFC player to reach that mark (+ Ferguson, Cahill, Campbell, Osman). Chase.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 20153 - Stoke have scored more than two goals in a game for the first time this season. Reaction.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 201512 - Everton have conceded 12 goals in their last six Premier League games. Susceptible.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 2015