Merry Christmas everyone! For many of you football fans, yesterday's celebrations were just a warm-up act for this action-packed day of Premier League football. All 20 sides play today, but I'll be talking you through Everton vs. Stoke City at Goodison Park.

Defeats in their most recent games ensured that both Everton and Stoke headed to Christmas on a disappointing note. Both managers will be desperate to see their teams recover today in the first of three matches in a week. We may love this hectic schedule, but it can be very difficult for the teams, especially if you're not in the best of form.

Everton start the day in 11th spot in the table, just two points and two places above Stoke. Despite putting in some decent displays in recent weeks, the Potters have only managed to win one of their last six matches. A win today could launch them further up the table over the next few weeks. A loss would see Mark Hughes and his players flirt dangerously with the bottom three.

EVERTON: Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, Mirallas, Naismith, Barkley, Lukaku

SUBS: Joel, Eto'o, McGeady, Kone, Distin, Garbutt, Alcaraz

Roberto Martinez has been treated to three special gifts as John Stones, James McCarthy and Kevin Mirallas all return to start at Goodison Park. Stones has not started for the Toffees since October, while McCarthy's absence has had a big impact on their performances recently. Sylvain Distin drops to the bench to allow Stones to partner Phil Jagielka.

STOKE: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters; Whelan, Nzonzi; Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic; Diouf

SUBS: Butland; Huth, Wilson, Palacios, Adam, Assaidi, Crouch

Just the two changes for Hughes as he looks to encourage a reaction to Monday's loss to Chelsea. Geoff Cameron moves back to the right side of defence to cover for the absent Phil Bardsley, with Glenn Whelan returning in midfield. Peter Crouch has shaken off a knock to be included in the squad, but he is replaced in attack by Mame Biram Diouf.

A quick reminder that you can follow live commentary any of today's Premier League games by clicking on the fixture in the live scores box on the right of the page. It could be a big afternoon at both ends of the table.

Everton have been boosted by the team news, and you really can't underestimate the influence that McCarthy has on this team. In his absence, Martinez's side have often struggled to keep the ball in the way that we know they can when the Toffees are at their best. McCarthy and Barry keep things ticking over from deep, which is usually what brings the best out of the likes of Barkley, Naismith and Mirallas.

After mentioning Barry, it's worth noting that the midfielder is responsible for one of the more surprising Boxing Day statistics. We're not used to seeing Barry hit the back of the net on a regular basis, but he has managed to score four times on this date during his time at Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Bojan starts once again for Stoke this afternoon. After a slow start in the Premier League, the former Barcelona forward has been one of his side's star performers. On Monday he was kept quiet by Chelsea for long spells, but he'll be desperate to make an impact today. If he plays from the left, Seamus Coleman will be in for a tough battle. However, the Everton full-backs will be thinking of punishing the Spaniard at the other end of the pitch, too.

In his pre-match press conference on Christmas Eve, Martinez spoke of the need for Everton to produce a response after being outplayed in the 3-0 loss to Southampton.

"We haven't been able to be consistent with our results in the league," he told reporters. "It was the first time in the aspect of our performance at Southampton that we let ourselves down.

"We need to learn from it. We're focused on trying to get a bit of consistency on our results in the league. We're all hurt when you get a result like that."

Stoke have won only one of their last 10 visits to Everton. Their most recent win at Goodison Park was in December 2011 when a Robert Huth goal handed the Potters their first victory at the ground since 1981.

In this fixture last season, Everton were unstoppable. Gerard Deulofeu, Seamus Coleman, Bryan Oviedo and Romelu Lukau all found the back of the net as the Toffees stormed to a 4-0 victory over Stoke. Can Everton get anywhere close to a repeat today?

RESULT: The first match of the day is over. Goals from John Terry and Diego Costa have sent Chelsea six points clear with a 2-0 win over West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. Another confident performance from Jose Mourinho's side.

PREDICTION: Kickoff is not far away now, so it's time for a prediction. Both sides will be eager to get onto the front foot early on after their respective defeats in the past week. However, it's the return of Everton's key trio which could make the difference. I'm backing the hosts to win 2-0.

STAT: Everton are 13 points worse off this season than in the 2013-14 campaign, when they were fourth after 17 games.

Both sets of players are in the tunnel, with referee Lee Mason in place to lead the teams out onto the pitch. A place in the top half of the table is up for grabs. Who will get back to winning ways today?

STAT: Stoke haven't kept a clean sheet in 11 league matches since their 1-0 victory against Newcastle in September.

Here we go then. Everton will get the game underway.

Everton look comfortable on the ball early on, with Mirallas threatening on the wing before giving away a silly foul.

Everton appeal for a penalty when Mirallas goes down under a challenge from Muniesa, but there doesn't appear to be much contact between the two players. That chance came from a Bojan mistake at the other end.

Martinez will be pretty happy with what he's seen in the early stages. Everton are looking busy with and without the ball. Stoke have still not settled.

Play comes to a halt for a few moments as Lukaku and Shawcross both need treatment after a clash of heads.

It looks like Shawcross has suffered a cut to the head, but he'll be hoping to stay on the pitch. Stoke really cannot afford to lose their influential skipper.

Stoke finally enjoy a spell on the front foot, but they lose the ball in the final third as Everton continue to press the visitors, who have struggled to get to grips in the early stages. Both Shawcross and Lukaku are back on the pitch.

Stones loses the ball in a dangerous position. Bojan then leads Stoke forward before picking out Diouf, whose powerful strike is easily saved by Howard.

Worrying signs for Everton. Stones is down with an injury following a tackle from Whelan. The physios are on the pitch. Let's hope the young defender can continue.

Stones is back on the pitch after some treatment. The stoppages are not helping with the flow of this game. Everton still look the more comfortable, but Stoke are improving.

Much better from Stoke. Cameron does very well to find some space on the wing before delivering a dangerous looking cross. However, Bojan is lacking the height required to direct a header at goal.

It's been a very odd start to the game. Barkley is the latest player to go off the field for treatment due to a bleeding nose.

Whelan is doing a very good job of disrupting Everton's rhythm in the centre of midfield. He's stood out for the visitors. I'm afraid there's been very little excitement so far.

Everton really need to be careful at the back. Baines and Coleman have both been caught further up the field when attacks have broken down, which has left Stones and Jagielka exposed. Stoke have to take advantage.

Walters is penalised for a push on Jagielka, who once again needs treatment after falling awkwardly. Another stoppage frustrates everyone at Goodison Park.

I'm afraid this game won't be stealing any headlines if it continues like this at Goodison Park. Both teams have lacked a cutting edge, and we simply haven't seen enough of the attacking players.

Incredible. Another stoppage at Goodison Park as Barry catches Arnautovic with a tough challenge. The Stoke attacker looks to be in a lot of pain.

YELLOW CARD! Bojan is too quick for Naismith, who picks up a booking for a late tackle on the tricky Spaniard.

Fortunately for Stoke, Arnautovic is back on the pitch. Stoke threaten when Bojan cuts into space before hitting a shot over the crossbar from 25 yards.

Baines and Coleman have been quiet on the wings, but the former finally makes a contribution with a dangerous cross which is well cleared by Shawcross.

Everton are starting to step up the tempo again as a clever passing move ends with Mirallas striking a deflected effort just wide of the target.

CHANCE! Everton should be ahead. A corner finds Barry in plenty of space at the back post, but the midfielder somehow manages to hit his shot just wide. That was a great opportunity to continue his impressive goalscoring form on Boxing Day.

YELLOW CARD! Everton's supporters are furious. A brilliant pass from Barry releases Baines, who appears to be clean through before being hauled down by Walters. Baines still had very far to go, but Walters is perhaps lucky not to be sent off.

PENALTY! Stoke break quickly through Bojan, who cuts inside of McCarthy and goes down under a challenge to win a penalty for the visitors.

Moments after winning a free kick in a dangerous position, Everton fall behind. Bojan keeps calm from 12 yards to put Stoke ahead. Everton were disappointed, but McCarthy certainly fouled Bojan in the box.

Can Everton respond before the break? There will surely be a few minutes added on due to the amount of stoppages. McCarthy's frustration becomes clear again as he clashes with Bojan off the ball. Lee Mason speaks to both players, but decides against getting the cards out.

Whelan has committed a few fouls this afternoon, and he is a bit lucky not to be booked for a trip on Naismith. Everton's supporters are not happy, but the performance just hasn't been very good from the hosts.

Good work from Barry to deliver an inviting cross into the box, but Lukaku is unable to find the target with a header. Begovic spills another cross moments later, with Naismith missing the chance to take advantage.

We expected there to be a lot of stoppage time, but it's still a surprise to see the fourth official to confirm that 10 minutes will be added on.

Coleman sprints into space on the right wing, but Lukaku is unable to latch onto the Irishman's cross into the box. Barry picks up the loose ball before seeing Begovic make an easy save from his weak effort.

Excellent defending from Shawcross to step in to make a crucial interception after Lukaku and Naismith had exchanged passes on the edge of the box. Everton just can't find a way through.

Stoke threaten again when N'Zonzi's cross takes a deflection, but Howard responds well to make the save. The Potters are doing a find job of keeping it tight in stoppage time.

Good work from Arnautovic to find Diouf in space, but the striker can only slice an effort wide of the post under pressure from Jagielka.

CHANCE! Everton really should be back on level terms. Naismith evades a couple of challenges to find space before picking out Mirallas at the back post. The Belgian can only strike his effort into the side-netting as another collective groan comes out from the Everton fans.

It's finally half time at Goodison Park following a first half full of stoppages. Bojan's penalty is the difference between the two sides, but neither manager will be completely happy with their team's performances. Everton need to make life more uncomfortable for the visiting defence, but Stoke clearly have the quality to hit the Toffees on the break.

Everton fans will not be happy with the decision not to send off Walters just a minute before Stoke had won the penalty. Walters was perhaps lucky to get away with a booking when he pulled down Baines, who was ahead of the last defender. However, referee Lee Mason is likely to argue that it was not a clear goalscoring opportunity as the Everton full-back was still around 35 yards from goal.

BENCH WATCH: If Martinez decides to make a change soon, we could see Samuel Eto'o provide more support for Lukaku, who has looked isolated at times this afternoon. Stoke have Peter Crouch to call on if they need to go slightly more direct.

The players are on their way back out at Goodison Park as the rain gets slightly heavier. Joel Robles and Antolin Alcaraz are both off the bench for the hosts as Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka, who have surely picked up injuries. Stoke will get the game back underway.

It's a big blow for Everton to lose Jagielka and Howard, and the changes also means that Martinez has just one more substitution to make. The players on the pitch need to produce a response.

Clever build-up play from Stoke as Bojan and Diouf combine to release Arnautovic, who is caught offside after breaking forward a second too soon.

Everton are dominating possession in the early stages of the second half, but Stoke look comfortable in defence as the hosts continue to struggle in the final third of pitch.

It's just not been good enough from Everton this afternoon. Barkley, who has been very quiet, attempts to get his side back in the game with a speculative effort from 25 yards, but he can only hit his shot just over the crossbar.

Crucial piece of defending from Alcaraz as he clears the ball away after Stones had missed the change to do the same when Diouf miscued a header in the box.

You can hear the frustration from the Everton fans. Martinez wants his side to be patient, but they're making very little progress in possession. Hughes will be happy with what he's seeing.

Baines chips a ball into the path of Lukaku, but Begovic is off his line quickly to clear as another Everton attack comes to a disappointing end.

Stones doesn't look comfortable. The young defender has been limping again in the past couple of minutes after being hurt in a tackle by Whelan in the first half. Everton can't afford to lose him now.

Everton miss a couple of half chances as Naismith's header is deflected wide, before Alcaraz meets the next corner with a wayward header. Stoke continue to look comfortable.

It's all to easy for Begovic, who makes a comfortable save when Lukaku targets the bottom corner from just outside the box.

SAVE! You don't see Baines cut onto his right foot very often, but he does so impressively to force Begovic into a very fine save. That effort has sparked a reaction from the home fans.

SUBSTITUTION: Stoke make their first change of the afternoon as Bojan comes off to be replaced by Charlie Adam, who will join his teammates in limiting the space on offer in midfield.

SUBSTITUTION: Everton are still struggling to put Stoke under pressure for an extended spell. Martinez makes his final change as Eto'o replaces McCarthy. Barkley should drop deeper as a result.

If Stoke secure the win, Walters and Arnautovic deserve a lot of credit for their defensive efforts on the wings. Walters tracks back again to make a vital interception when Eto'o threatens to cause problems for the visitors.

SHOT! N'Zonzi has played a key role for Stoke this afternoon, and he threatens to secure the points with a run from deep, but his low effort drifts just past the post.

Coleman finds the ball in space on the right wing, but Arnautovic is back again to dispossess the Irishman. It's been an excellent defensive display from the visitors.

SUBSTITUTION: The away fans show their appreciation as the impressive Arnautovic comes off to be replaced by Oussama Assaidi, who can make a big impact on the break for the visitors.

YELLOW CARD! Barry has set a new Premier League record, but it's not a great achievement. The midfielder becomes the first player in the league to reach 100 yellow cards following a late tackle on N'Zonzi.

Lukaku is gifted space on the edge of the box, but his powerful strike is saved by Begovic, who collects at the second attempt.

Great work from N'Zonzi as he steps in to dispossess Naismith after Alcaraz had flicked on a corner at the near post. It's difficult to look past the Stoke midfielder for the man of the match award.

YELLOW CARD! Cameron has angered the home fans by taking a lot of time over throw-ins, and he is finally punished with a booking.

Pieters rises highest in the box to head clear from an Everton free kick. Stoke are defending much deeper, but you can't criticise their approach at this stage of the game.

The miserable weather matches the mood of the home fans, who are urging their side to do something different in the final third. Stoke continue to deal with every attack thrown at them, and you have to say they deserve to claim the win.

Naismith collects the ball inside the box before turning into space. It looks like he will unleash a shot, but Pieter slides in to make a brilliant tackle. Superb defending.

YELLOW CARD! Adam picks up a booking for a late tackle on Mirallas. The fourth official confirms that there will be four minutes added on.

SUBSTITUTION: Hughes uses his final change to bring Crouch on for Diouf.

What are Everton doing? They're just knocking the ball around without putting the visitors under pressure. It's all too easy for Stoke.

Referee Lee Mason decides to add more time on, but it doesn't matter in the end. Stoke pick up the win thanks to Bojan's penalty in the first half. Everton's supporters greet the final whistle with jeers as Martinez's side slip to another disappointing result.

An improved defensive display is enough for Stoke, who climb above Everton with this win. That's all from our live coverage, but there is analysis and player ratings on the way. Goodbye everyone.