Stoke left in a sticky situation

STOKE are three points from safety after Charlie Adam saw red and Everton secured victory at the Bet365 Stadium.

Adam’s dismissal on the half-hour mark, following a studs-up challenge on Wayne Rooney, proved costly as Cenk Tosun netted either side of Eric Maxim ChoupoMoting’s equaliser for the hosts.

Potters boss Paul Lambert had placed faith in his more experienced players, bringing in the likes of Glen Johnson, Ryan Shawcross, Adam and Peter Crouch after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

But it was 32-yearold Adam who lost his cool against the Toffees, with Lambert having no complaints over the Scot’s sending-off.

Asked if he disagreed with the red card, the Stoke boss responded: ‘Not really, the referee’s position is probably a better angle than anyone has and looking at it now, I can see why he has given it.

‘The first Everton goal was offside and how he’s not seen that I don’t know.

‘These are big moments and when you’re fighting for your life, you need those decisions to go for you.’