Aaron Lennon scores again as Everton turn on the style to sink sorry Stoke

Romelu Lukaku, Seamus Coleman and Aaron Lennon all netted in the first half as Everton produced an exhilarating attacking performance to dispose of a very poor Stoke side.

Before their victory over Newcastle in midweek, Everton had failed to win a league game since Boxing Day. The Toffees have now won back-to-back league games for the first time this season, much to the relief of manager Roberto Martinez.

Stoke's season, on the other hand, is in danger of fizzling out after a poor spell which has seen them go out of both cup competitions and now lose three successive league games.

Mark Hughes's side included £18.3m record signing Gianelli Imbula, but were punished for a sluggish start as Jack Butland brought down Tom Cleverley in the box, and was sent the wrong way by Lukaku's cool spot-kick.

Things got worse for the Potters at a rainy Britannia Stadium when Coleman stole a yard at a corner and superbly glanced in Cleverley's corner.

Stoke's first half misery was complete three minutes before the break when Philipp Wollscheid's lazy pass gifted Lennon the ball, and he burst forward and kept his cool to slot beyond Butland and score in his third consecutive game.

Lukaku and his second half replacement Arouna Kone could have made it four but both were denied by excellent Jack Butland saves, as the rapidly improving England goalkeeper still managed to shine in a comprehensive defeat for his side.

The result sees Everton leapfrog Stoke in the table and move up to 8th, while the Potters sink to 11th after a third successive defeat.

10' PENALTY! Everton have a penalty after Butland brings down Cleverley.

11' GOAL! Stoke 0-1 Everton: Lukaku rolls the ball down the middle, sending Butland the wrong way. Early lead for the visitors.

28' GOAL! Stoke 0-2 Everton: Coleman makes it 2-0! Cleverley's corner from the left is glanced in brilliantly by the Irishman, and Stoke are up against it now!

42' GOAL! Stoke 0-3 Everton: Lennon makes it three! Wollscheid gifts the ball to Lennon on the halfway line and the former Spurs winger burst forward and keeps his cool to slot past Butland.

44' CLOSE! Stoke's best chance of the afternoon falls to Arnautovic, who has to adjust his feet after a poor ball by Diouf, but still digs out a shot that Joel does well to hold on to.

49' CHANCE! Barkley smashes a shot into the side-netting after a quick exchange of passes with Lukaku. Barkley could have gone down after Muniesa fouled him in the box but he stayed on his feet, to his credit.

58' OFF THE BAR! Butland makes a brilliant save, tipping onto the bar from Lukaku's header after an inviting cross from Barkley from the left.

68' CHANCE! Brilliant play by Lennon, who cuts between Pieters and Wollscheid with some deft skill and cuts back for Lukaku, but his first shot is blocked and second saved by Butland.

77' CHANCE! Kone comes off the bench and almost scores straight away. The Ivorian goes clean through and looks odds-on to score, but Butland pulls off a brilliant save to deny him.

Aaron Lennon (Everton) - An effervescent display by the former Tottenham winger in front of England manager Roy Hodgson. Scored the third and was a constant thorn in Stoke's side. Could have been any one of Barkley, Lukaku or Lennon.

Stoke: Butland 7, Johnson 6, Wollscheid 4, Muniesa 5, Pieters 5, Whelan 5, Imbula 6, Shaqiri 7, Afellay 4, Arnautovic 5, Diouf 5. Subs: Ireland 5, Odemwingie 5, Joselu 5.

Everton: Joel 7, Oviedo 7, Funes Mori 8, Jagielka 7, Coleman 8, Barry 7, McCarthy 7, Cleverley 8, Barkley 9, Lennon 9, Lukaku 9. Subs: Kone 7, Mirallas n/a, Osman n/a.

Everton have won three penalties in their last two Premier League games; this after winning none in their opening 23 games of the season.

Aaron Lennon has scored in three successive competitive appearances for the first time in his career.

Stoke have lost three Premier League games in a row, and are winless in four.

Have Everton turned the corner? It's been a frustrating season for Roberto Martinez's side, who have huffed and puffed but fallen short of expectations so far in the league. But back-to-back wins has elevated them in the league and their forward players, particularly Lukaku, Lennon and Barkley, were in irresistible form. With West Brom, Bournemouth and Aston Villa their next three games, Everton will be hoping they can make a late challenge for a European spot.