LIVERPOOL -- its chase was kept by Everton for a top-four finish on track with a draw against Stoke at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon. In a game short of genuine quality, Kevin Mirallas' outstanding solo effort in the initial half proved the only real highlight and served the house area transfer within four points of fourth-placed Chelsea. Changes were made three by the Blues for their clash 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 replaced Jan Mucha in goal. Tony Pulis, meanwhile, was pushed in to omitting the hurt Matt Etherington, with heart straight back Robert Huth taking his invest the XI. Mark Moyes had taken the unusual step of lining up with three main defenders, and it is almost cost by the home teamas lack of familiarity with the formation in the opening moments. Harry Howard did well to parry absent Robert Huthas header but received a massive piece of luck as Jon Waltersa follow up bounced cool off the bar. Notwithstanding that early moment of attention the Goodison Park crowd was therefore addressed to a terrible starting 20 minutes, with both parties fighting to begin. Jelavicas header straight into the arms of Asmir Begovic was the sole possibility of note since the home side toiled despite handling person. Both sides had real difficulty in stringing passes together all through the opening half hour on Merseyside and therefore it was perhaps unsurprising that the very first goal came via a moment of personal creativity. Everton had been protecting a place in its box before Howardas value away reached Mirallas in the middle group and, although Belgian had a slice of luck in evading NaZonzi, he proved every ounce of his quality in gliding past Geoff Cameron before concluding his great work off with a very good finish despite Begovicas best efforts. Unfortunately for the Toffees, the goal did not accomplish a quantity of chances. Rather unsurprisingly, the next half were only available in similar fashion, ahead of the cloud of mediocrity was lifted with 20 minutes gone as Huth and Jelavic equally went close with headed attempts at either end. Everton significantly improved from that time on, with two consecutive threatening runs delivered to an end by cynical Stoke fouls on the side of the box and Jelavic going close with a totally free kick at the second attempt. The match largely petered out from this time on, with small alternative Ross Barkley's yellow card for an enthusiastic handle on Whelan a rare moment of attention. The Toffees would have cared little, however, because they got three things which hold their Champions League hopes alive. Follow GOAL.COM on Facebook
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