Everton miss out on Europe

Everton's hopes of European qualification were ended after a 0-0 draw with a determined Stoke City.

Goalless draw with Stoke makes seventh place impossible

Everton's hopes of European qualification were ended as the Toffees could only manage a goalless draw with a determined Stoke at the Britannia Stadium. The hosts had the better of a scrappy first half but it was their opponents who came closest to scoring as a seemingly goalbound Leighton Baines shot was inadvertently blocked by Victor Anichebe. Shortly after the restart, Rory Delap was presented with a golden opportunity but he sliced his effort wide with only the goalkeeper to beat from close range. Phil Jagielka had the ball in the net with just over 15 minutes remaining but the goal was disallowed after Anichebe was adjudged to be standing in an offside position as the defender headed goalwards. The result leaves the Toffees unable to leapfrog Liverpool for seventh place in the Premier League while Stoke edge closer to the top half.

Bright start

Everton began brightly with Arteta delivering an inswinging cross in the 18th minute that was headed clear by Robert Huth. Stoke hit back and Ryan Shawcross escaped his marker following a trademark long throw from Delap, only to head wide. It was an open game and Anichebe tested Asmir Begovic on his full debut with a shot from distance. Ricardo Fuller then failed to get enough power on a flick and Tim Howard made a simple save. The Stoke faithful appealed for a penalty in the 30th minute when Glenn Whelan went to ground following an aerial collision with Arteta but referee Howard Webb waved play on. Everton responded and Phil Neville released Anichebe three minutes later, only for the striker to drag his effort wide of the post.

Control

Stoke began to take control as the first half wore on and Whelan found space on the edge of the area but fired his effort high over the bar. Everton then surged forward and Baines saw his powerful shot blocked by Anichebe after he linked up with Arteta. Stoke should have taken the lead in the 48th minute but Delap was guilty of a terrible miss. Mamady Sidibe started the move by picking out Matthew Etherington on the left and he quickly played the ball towards the back post. Delap had timed his run perfectly but with only Howard to beat the midfielder sliced his effort the wrong side of the post. Stoke were anxious to make the breakthrough and Whelan tried his luck from distance in the 55th minute but his effort failed to test Howard in the Everton goal. Whelan then drilled a free-kick into the wall as Stoke enjoyed a good spell, with Fuller dragging a shot wide after being set up by Sidibe. Everton hit back and Jagielka found himself in a decent position after 67 minutes but was unable to get enough power on his shot. The full-back then thought he had given his side the lead but a controversial offside decision was awarded in the hosts' favour. Everton continued to press but failed to get the victory needed to stay in the hunt for a Europa League place.

Stoke City	Team Statistics	Everton
0	Goals	0
0	1st Half Goals	0
3	Shots on Target	2
6	Shots off Target	3
4	Blocked Shots	6
6	Corners	5
10	Fouls	10
1	Offsides	2
0	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0
66.2	Passing Success	77.8
18	Tackles	23
88.9	Tackles Success	73.9
45.3	Possession	54.7
46.5	Territorial Advantage	53.5