Glenn Whelan: 'We were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch against Everton'

Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan has admitted that his side were fortunate to keep 11 men on the pitch in their 1-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

During the first half, Leighton Baines appeared to have a goalscoring opportunity only to be pulled back by Jonathan Walters. The Potters forward was only booked by Lee Mason, much to the fury of Roberto Martinez and his players.

When asked if his side were lucky to receive the decision, Whelan told Sky Sports News: "Yes, I think so. I think if it was the other way around we would have been screaming for a red card, so maybe we were fortunate.

"They say these things even themselves out but I think even Jon himself will hold his hands up and I think we got away with one today."

Mason was also involved in another crucial moment in the game as he awarded Stoke a decisive penalty when Bojan Krkic was brought down by James McCarthy. The striker took the spot kick and fired the visitors to the three points.

Whelan added: "[Bojan] has taken on his man and got by him. I think he has taken him down. It probably wasn't the worst foul you'll ever see but, once it's in the box, then you're living dangerously and that's what happened."

Stoke moved above Everton in the Premier League into 11th place with their win.