LIVERPOOL -- its chase was kept by Everton for a top-four end on track with a draw against Stoke at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. In a game short of true quality, Kevin Mirallas' amazing solo work in the initial half proved the only spotlight and served the house part move within four points of fourth-placed Chelsea. The Blues produced three changes for their conflict with the Potters, with suspended duo Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar making way for Phil Jagielka and Nikica Jelavic, while the fit-again Tim Howard exchanged Jan Mucha in purpose. Tony Pulis, meanwhile, was pushed in to omitting the wounded Matt Etherington, with middle straight back Robert Huth taking his devote the beginning XI. David Moyes had taken the unusual step of filling up with three key defenders, and the home teamas lack of familiarity with the formation almost cost it in the opening moments. Tim Howard did well to parry absent Robert Huthas header but received a huge slice of luck as Jon Waltersa followup bounced cool off the bar. Notwithstanding that early time of interest the Goodison Park group was subsequently treated to a terrible opening 20 minutes, with both sides fighting to begin. Jelavicas header straight to the arms of Asmir Begovic was the only real possibility of notice while the home area toiled despite controlling property. Both parties had real difficulty in stringing travels together through the duration of the beginning half hour on Merseyside and so it was perhaps unsurprising that the first goal came by way of a time of individual creativity. Everton had been protecting a spot in its box before Howardas value away reached Mirallas in the middle circle and, although the Belgian had a piece of luck in evading NaZonzi, he verified every ounce of his quality in sliding past Geoff Cameron before concluding his great work off with an awesome end despite Begovicas best efforts. Unfortuitously for the Toffees, the target did not help a quantity of possibilities. Fairly obviously, the second half started in similar manner, prior to the cloud of mediocrity was removed with 20 minutes gone as Huth and Jelavic equally went close with headed efforts at either end. Everton significantly improved from that point on, with two successive threatening runs brought to a conclusion by skeptical Stoke fouls on the side of the package and Jelavic going close with a free kick at the 2nd test. The match largely petered from that point on, with small replacement Ross Barkley's yellow card for a keen tackle on Whelan a rare moment of interest. The Toffees could have cared little, however, because they got three points which hold their Champions League hopes alive. Follow GOAL.COM on Facebook
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