• Premier League

Everton destroy Stoke, West Ham see off sorry Fulham

Gerard Deulofeu was Everton's main threat for much of the match against Stoke City © PA Photos

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Everton continued their excellent start to Premier League life under Roberto Martinez with a 4-0 demolition of Stoke City at Goodison Park.

Martinez kept faith in Gerard Deulofeu, and the Barcelona loanee almost fired the home side in front early on. His free-kick was well saved by Stoke stopper Asmir Begovic, who was called into action again minutes later after the winger worked himself through the Stoke defence with ease.

However, Deulofeu was rewarded for his hard work on the stroke of half-time when he finished off a fine, flowing team move to open the scoring.

Seamus Coleman doubled Everton's lead four minutes after the break, completing another good move started by Deulofeu. The defender arrived late to steer Gareth Barry's touch into the top corner.

Everton sealed the points on the hour mark when Bryan Oviedo fired his shot off the post and past the hapless Begovic, before Romelu Lukaku completed the rout late on.

West Ham piled yet more misery on Martin Jol as Fulham crashed to a fifth straight league defeat following a 3-0 loss at Upton Park.

Fulham were immediately under pressure as Modibo Maiga headed Mark Noble's free-kick onto the post, while James Collins could only steer his effort wide from Stewart Downing's corner.

However, the home side were ahead shortly after the interval. Mo Diame took advantage of sloppy play from Steve Sidwell, before his effort took a huge deflection on its way into the net.

Sam Allardyce cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as more chances went begging; Darren Bent was on hand to clear James Tomkins' header off the line shortly before Downing's cross landed on top of the crossbar. For the visitors, Pajtim Kasami went close when 25 yards out.

But it was only a matter of time before West Ham were rewarded for their domination. Carlton Cole steered in Downing's cross in the 82nd minute before Joe Cole hammered home in the dying minutes.

Newcastle meanwhile moved up to fifth in the table with a 2-1 win over West Brom in the day's late kick-off. Yoan Gouffran scored for the third game in a row to give Newcastle the lead, but West Brom were level early in the second half when Chris Brunt smashed his effort past Tim Krul.

West Brom would only be level for four minutes as Moussa Sissoko fired Newcastle back into the lead with a thunderbolt, and it proved to be the winner as Newcastle stood firm to continue climbing up the table.

Norwich held on to record a 1-0 victory over bottom-placed Crystal Palace at Carrow Road.

The home side took the initiative early as Johan Elmander flicked the ball onto the underside of the crossbar before Nathan Redmond's effort tested Julian Speroni minutes later.

However, Redmond was in the thick of it on the half hour mark; his cross was laid off by Wes Hoolahan for Gary Hooper to smash the ball in for his side's only goal.

Palace offered a swift response and were unlucky not to be level almost immediately, First, John Ruddy palmed Jason Puncheon's shot out before Martin Olsson headed Barry Bannan's effort onto the crossbar.

The trend continued after half-time as Sebastien Bassong sliced Dean Moxey's cross narrowly over his own crossbar, but Chris Hughton's men stood firm.

Elsewhere, Sunderland earned a point after holding Aston Villa to a goalless draw at Villa Park.

Gabriel Agbonlahor's early effort tested the hands of Vito Mannone, while Christian Benteke should have done better when side-footing Ashley Westwood's lay-off over the woodwork.

Craig Gardner was denied a goal against his former employers thanks to an offside flag as the away side enjoyed a spell of pressure. Poyet's side were denied a penalty when Ciaran Clark's apparent handball was waved away, before Emanuele Giaccherini wasted a glorious opportunity when shooting over from two yards out.

However Sunderland, who have not registered a goal on their travels since August, could not capitalise on any momentum and had to settle for a share of the spoils.

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