Tosun's double puts struggling Stoke to the sword

Cenk Tosun scored a late winner – his fourth goal in three games – as Everton piled more misery on 10-man Stoke with a long-awaited victory on the road.

The Turkish international's second-half opener was cancelled out by substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's equaliser, but the 26-year-old's header won the game - played in snowy conditions - for Sam Allardyce's side late on.

Stoke were reduced to 10 men in controversial circumstances just before the half-hour mark when Charlie Adam was shown a straight red for a late tackle on Wayne Rooney.

It was a devastating blow for the Potters who were in the ascendancy up until that point, without really threatening. Peter Crouch created the best opportunity when he forced Jordan Pickford into an awkward save with a venomous shot from 30 yards.

But Sam Allardyce’s side – who had lost their previous five consecutive games on the road – struggled to make their numerical advantage count in the remainder of the first period and had to wait until after the interval to even record their first shot on target.

Everton began to turn the screw midway through the second half and eventually their pressure told. Tosun's header was parried by Butland but he gathered himself to slot in the follow-up.

Their lead didn't last long however - just seven minutes, in fact. Substitute Choupo-Moting had only been on the pitch a matter of moments when he stabbed home Joe Allen's brilliant free-kick delivery, only to limp off injured immediately after.

But Everton and Tosun were to have the final say and on 84 minutes the Turk met Theo Walcott's cross with his head and Butland could only push the effort into his own net.

The win keeps the Toffees in ninth, though they close the gap on eighth-placed Leicester to two points, while Stoke remain in 19th and in grave danger of relegation.

When you’re 19th in the league table, you need some fortune to dig yourself out of the mire – some refereeing decisions to go your way, perhaps. Not on this occasion for Stoke. The turning point in the match was the straight red issued to Adam for a foul on Rooney. It seemed rather harsh on the Stoke midfielder: he was only a fraction late and a yellow card was arguably more deserving. Referee Martin Atkinson didn’t seem to take the wintry weather conditions into consideration, either.

The Turkish international had two chances and bagged two goals to win the game for his side to underline his ruthless instinct. Tosun is quickly becoming a key player for Everton.

Stoke: Butland 5, Johnson 6, Shawcross 6, Zouma 6, Stafylidis 6, Ndiaye 6, Allen 7, Adam 5, Shaqiri 6, Crouch 6, Sobhi 6. Subs: Choupo-Moting N/A, Berahino 5, Jese 5.

Everton: Pickford 7, Coleman 7, Keane 7, Jagielka 7, Baines 6, Gueye 6, Davies 6, Walcott 6, Rooney 7, Bolasie 6, Tosun 9. Subs: Holgate N/A, Schneiderlin N/A, Calvert-Lewin 5.

7' - CHANCE FOR EVERTON! But it goes begging. Davies slips away from his marker to meet Rooney's free-kick delivery but nods over from just a few yards out. Allardyce looks on in disbelief.

9' - SHOT! Stoke break from an Everton corner, with Ramadan leading the charge. He pulls it back for Crouch who strikes a venomous shot from 25 yards... Pickford spills it but gathers on the second attempt.

29' - RED CARD! Stoke are down to 10 men! And it's Adam who is shown the red card by Martin Atkinson for a late tackle on Rooney. Seems a bit harsh, and it's a devastating blow for Stoke who had started the game well.

69' - GOAL! Stoke 0-1 Everton: Tosun scores, again! The Everton forward's header is only parried back into danger by Butland, Calvert-Lewin's effort is blocked off the line by Shawcross but Tosun gathers himself to smash the ball into the back of the net from a few yards out.

77' - GOAL! Stoke 1-1 Everton: The Potters are level! It's the substitute Choupo who grabs the goal! He is left totally unmarked at the back post to poke home Allen's free-kick delivery.

84' - GOAL! Stoke 1-2 Everton: Tosun with his second of the afternoon! Walcott delivers a cross to the near post, finding Tosun who beats Johnson to the ball to power a shot at goal and Butland can only push it into his own net. Stoke have it all to do, again!