A breathless game finished with Stoke City revelling in another eye-catching win and Everton lost for words at their latest implosion. Roberto Martínez’s team twice came from behind to lead 3-2 with 10 minutes remaining only for more defensive errors, this time from Tim Howard and John Stones, to conjure defeat from the jaws of victory. One day the penny might drop for Martínez that points are not awarded for style alone.

Marko Arnautovic’s 90th minute penalty proved the winner on an enthralling, rollercoaster afternoon at Goodison Park, while Xherdan Shaqiri, who rejected a loan move to Everton in the summer, graced the contest with one of the goals of the season. Romelu Lukaku instigated a spirited comeback with his 17th and 18th goals of the campaign but once again Everton’s defensive vulnerability undermined their striker’s remarkable output and talk of entering the Champions League race.