Stoke City boss Mark Hughes found a positive in defeat to Everton.

Hughes was keen after the game to highlight the positive individual performance the club's new record signing Giannelli Imbula produced on his debut, but was in sombre mood overall.

Hughes said: "It was a disappointing result and performance.

"Sometimes you just have to accept it is not going to be your day.

"It is always difficult when you are chasing the game as the home team because there is an onus on you - and rightly so. Your fans want you to try and get back into the game.

"But when you do that, there is always that risk you are going to leave yourself exposed."