Everton vs. Stoke City: Team news and live blog

Join us for all the Everton team news and buildup towards their opening Premier League clash versus Stoke City and then stay for live updates during the game.

The moment has finally arrived, as Everton start one of their most highly anticipated league campaigns in the last 20 years. Of course, we don’t know how the season will play out, but we guarantee you lots of euphoria, drama and heartbreak between now and May. (N.B. Guarantee not legally binding.)

Ronald Koeman has done his best to temper expectations, by saying the Blues are still not a top-six side. However, off the record, unofficially, or however you want to describe it, they still have designs on a Champions League spot.

In truth, we’ll probably have a decent idea of how realistic this ambition is, by the end of September. That’s because the Toffees play Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in four of their opening six league games.

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While understanding every team in the Premier League has to face each other, playing quality opponents in such a short space of time, is tough for any side to contend with. Further, only the Spurs game will be at home, but at least we will get an early opportunity to find out how resilient Everton are.

First things first though, Koeman’s team at least get to start the Premier League season in front of a packed Goodison Park crowd. Stoke City will provide the opposition, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be an easy game – every team is hyped for the start of a new league campaign.

Now, sit back and relax/nervously perch yourself on the edge of your seat, as we bring you all the team news and buildup, in the count down towards kickoff at 3:00 pm. And once the action begins, stick around for live updates:

(Refresh this page by pressing F5 periodically)

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17:00 – Until next time:

Thank you for joining us this afternoon, for a nervy but ultimately winning start to the Premier League season. Let’s do this again some time. Enjoy you evening!

16:53 – And it’s all over:

Everton holds on for the win, their first opening day victory in five years. Rooney and Pickford will get most of the headlines, but Gueye deserves a lot of credit too.

16:50 – Man of the match?

Pickford with an exceptional save from Shaqiri, to highlight his performance today. The ball was destined for the back of the net, but the Blues’ number one saves the day.

16:49 – The final countdown:

We’re now into injury time. Four added minutes to play – will no doubt feel like a lifetime.

16:44 – Deep breaths:

Five minutes remaining, plus any injury time. Can the Blues hang on, or will the Potters cause late heartbreak?

16:43 – Booking for the Blues:

Martina gets a yellow, after fouling Choupo-Moting. Can’t really complain.

16:39 – Wimbledon 2.0:

Stoke are now launching the ball up the pitch where possible, looking for that man Crouch. Somewhere, there are Liverpool fans once again willing him to score.

16:35 – Final Everton sub:

The Blues bring on Mirallas for Ramirez. Some positive moments for Ramirez, but he still has a lot more to give.

16:33 – Too much to ask for another one?

Inside the last 20 minutes and still delicately poised at 1-0. Would be good for the Blues to get a second goal, to all but put this game out of reach.

16:31 – Stoke subs:

That man Crouch comes on for Berahino and Choupo-Moting replaces Bojan. This is Choupo-Moting’s debut for the Potters.

16:26 – Excuse the commentary:

If you can forgive the foreign commentary — and why wouldn’t you? — here is Rooney’s goal.

16:18 – Second sub:

Want to get an idea of how much the Toffees’ squad has improved? Look no further than Klaassen being replaced by Tom Davies.

16:15 – Be careful:

Everton playing better compared to the first half. However, Stoke aren’t out of this yet – the Blues have to remain focused.

16:11 – Almost:

The Blues with a two-on-one chance, but Zouma makes a timely challenge on Calvert-lewin.

16:08 – Stat update:

With his strike, Rooney is now tied for the most goals scored on opening day in the Premier League. (Tied with Alan Shearer and Frank Lampard, on eight goals.)

16:03 – And we’re off:

The second half is underway. Martina is on, in place of Williams, meaning our pre-match predicted starting XI is now on the field. Glad Koeman saw sense finally…

15:55 – That man Rooney:

This picture perfectly encapsulates the moment. Sheer joy:

(Photo credit: Twitter @LivEchoEFC)

15:49 – Half time:

And we’ve reached the break, with Everton leading 1-0. Undeserved or not, they’ll take it. Stay tuned for the second half.

15:47 – Finally:

And Everton DO get that undeserved lead, in injury time. And wouldn’t you know it, Rooney gets the goal!!! Lovely header home, after a telling cross from Calvert-Lewin.

15:43 – Five minutes to go:

Edging ever close to half time. Can the Toffees find a touch of inspiration to score and take what would admittedly be an undeserved lead?

15:37 – Another warning:

Stoke with another chance. Bojan chips the ball over Pickford, but also over the crossbar.

15:31 – Frustration:

You can tell the Everton fans are getting slightly annoyed, although they’re still doing their best to inspire the team to step it up. At least Allen gets a yellow card, after a foul on Rooney.

15:30 – Rooney watch:

Rooney is dropping deeper and deeper back, to get involved in the game more. Good that he wants the ball, but maybe he’s retreating too much.

15:25 – First corner for the home side:

Rooney takes the corner. It falls to that man Gueue again, but he scuffs his shot attempt.

15:22 – The lesser-spotted Gueye shot:

Gueye has Everton’s first shot on target, from around 25 yards out. Comfortably stopped by Butland, but at least — as Andy Gray would say – the Blues asked the question.

15:18 -Still looking for their rythym:

The Potters are more than holding their own so far. The Blues still looking similar to how they played during the pre-season and two European games.

15:14 – First attempt:

Sandro Ramirez has the Blues’ first shot at goal. In truth, he didn’t make good contact and it goes wide, but expect more chances for him this afternoon.

15:12 – An early warning:

Stoke City have the first two corners of the game. Both times, the ball is headed clear by one Mr. Rooney.

15:10 – Waiting for that first chance:

The Blues are controlling possession so far. However, still waiting for that direct penetration into the Potters’ area.

15:07 – Much ado about nothing:

We’re five minutes in and not much to write about yet. However, this is to be expected, as both sides look to get a handle on each other.

15:05 – Credit where it’s due:

Kudos to the Stoke City fans, who are out in full force (and voice). Sold out all 3,000 of their ticket allocation.

15:02 – Kick off:

And we’re under way at Goodison Park! Hold onto your hats – it’s going to be an eventful 90 minutes.

14:58 – Nearly ready to go:

The players come out of the tunnel to the familiar tune of Z Cars. Goodison Park is rocking.

14:45 – Inside the dressing room:

Only 15 minutes to go until kick off! Can you feel the anticipation?

(Photo credit: Twitter @Everton)

14:30 -Weather:

Nearly ideal conditions for today’s game. It will be 18 degrees at kickoff. Sunny and cloudy, with a zero percent chance of rain.

14:20 – Substitutes:

Grant, Johnson, Tymon, Choupo-Moting, Adam, Crouch, Ramadan.

14:15 – Stoke City starting XI:

Butland – Zouma, Shawcross, Cameron – Diouf, Fletcher, Allen, Pieters – Shaqiri, Bojan – Berahino.

14:10 – Predictions postmortem:

For the record, we correctly picked 10 of the starting 11. However, we were off the mark with the formation. However, even if we were aware of the formation beforehand, we readily admit we would have picked Martina or Davies to play at the right wing back position.

14:05 – Substitutes:

Stekelenburg, Mirallas, Martina, Besic, Davies, Holgate, Lookman.

14:00 – Everton starting XI:

Pickford – Calvert-Lewin, Williams, Keane, Jagielka, Baines – Schneiderlin, Gueye, Klaassen – Rooney, Sandro.

13:15 – The transfer window:

Koeman believes the transfer window should be closed before the league season starts. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.

12:30 – Stoke City injury news:

Stephen Ireland (leg) and Ibrahim Afellay (knee), are definitely out of Saturday’s game. Meanwhile, Bojan Krkic (calf) and Josh Tymon (foot) are both listed as doubtful.

12:00 – Game odds:

Everton are favoured to win on Saturday, with a draw being the second most likely outcome. You can click here, to review all the latest odds via Sports Book Review.

11:30 – Record versus Stoke City:

Last season, the Blues took four out of a possible six points versus the Potter. This included a 1-0 win at home.

11:00 – Referee:

Neil Swarbrick will referee today’s game. He is a member of the Select Group of Referees and has been in charge of 130 Premier League matches, dating back to December 2010. During that time, he has handed out 14 red cards, while averaging 3.3 yellow cards per game.

10:30 – Substitutes:

Further to our predicted starting lineup, we think the subs bench will include the following players; Maarten Stekelenburg, Ashley Williams, Kevin Mirallas, Gareth Barry, Tom Davies, Mason Holgate, Ademola Lookman

10:00 – Predicted starting XI:

Here is our projected lineup, which will likely play in a 4-3-3 formation; Pickford (GK) – Baines (LB), Keane (CB), Jagielka (CB), Martina (RB) – Schneiderlin (CM), Klaassen (CM), Gueye (CM) – Rooney (FW), Ramirez (ST), Calvert-Lewin (FW)

09:30 – Other plays expected to start:

Of course, you can never be 100 percent sure, but we confidently expect the following players to start versus Stoke City; Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Leighton Baines, Morgan Schneiderlin, Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez.

09:00 – Aaron Lennon:

One other injury note for the Blues, sees Lennon listed as doubtful for the Stoke game, with a hamstring issue. If he is actually passed fit, it will be interesting to see if Koeman puts him on the subs bench.

08:30 – Injury news:

Ramiro Funes Mori (knee), Yannick Bolasie (knee) and Seamus Coleman (leg) are all long-term absentees. James McCarthy (knee) and Ross Barkely (groin) are also out of Saturday’s game, but have returned to training and should be available for selection soon.

08:00 – Team news:

We’ll start with the one definite name on the Blues’ team sheet today. As Koeman himself confirmed during his press conference on Thursday, Wayne Rooney will start.

Next: Seamus Coleman takes an important step in his rehab

Who do you think should be in the starting XI versus Stoke? What do you predict the final score will be? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.