Stoke City 2: Everton 3

Tim Cahill celebrated his return to Everton's starting line-up with the winning goal against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Cahill had missed the start of the season with a broken metatarsal that blighted him for much of the last campaign. But he marked his surprise inclusion by striking the decisive blow, heading home Mikel Arteta's corner in the 76th minute.

Everton looked like they would cruise to victory when goals either side of half-time from Yakubu and Victor Anichebe put them firmly in the driving seat.

But Stoke showed grit, and aided by the potent weapon of Rory Delap's long throw they fought back and restored parity through Seyi Olofinjana and Phil Jagielka's own goal.

However, they were denied what looked like an unlikely point when Cahill had the final word.