Everton won the opening match of the 2015 Barclays Asia Trophy after defeating Stoke City on penalties after regular time had ended goalless at Singapore's National Stadium on Wednesday.
The Toffees took the shootout by 5-4 when captain Phil Jagielka converted the decisive spot kick after Stoke's new recruit Marco van Ginkel had an earlier penalty saved by Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.
The result means that Everton advance to Saturday's final of the biennial tournament to face Arsenal, who defeated the Singapore Select XI 4-0 in a match later on Wednesday night.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez and Stoke boss Mark Hughes would have been relatively pleased with the solid hit out in the newly-bult, air-conditioned stadium which is hosting the Barclays Asia Trophy for the first time.
The first half was evenly contested as both sides had good chances to take the lead.
After Stoke's Peter Odemwingie blasted wide with the goal at his beckoning in the 11th minute, Jagielka headed over the bar five minutes later after the free kick from the impressive Kevin Mirallas.
In the 28th minute, Stoke's Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic dispossessed Everton full-back Tony Hibbert and burst into the box. But a last-ditch tackle from Jagielka saved the day for the Toffees.
On the stroke of half time, Everton's Romelu Lukaku had the ball in the back of the net only to be denied by the assistant referee's offside flag.
The start of the second half saw Everton's new recruits, Tom Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu injected into the game. But it was Lukaku who had an immediate chance after the resumption when his close range shot was tipped over the bar by Stoke keeper Jakob Haugaard.
Former Barcelona starlet Deulofeu, who had a successful loan spell with Everton in the 2013-2014 season, made an immediate impact for the Merseysiders as he had an absorbing duel with Stoke defender Geoff Cameron.
Cameron tracked back to deny the Spaniard after a thrilling counter attack in the 58th minute before Deulofeu had a left footed shot saved three minutes later. Stoke substitute Van Ginkel, on loan from Chelsea, showed pace on the break in the 70th minute before Deulofeu was shut down again by Cameron.
Everton had three good chances to win the game in the last 10 minutes. After Naismith had two quick-fire attempts blocked at close range, Cleverley worked a one-two with Lukaku with no end product.
Then the big Belgian showed great strength to shrug off a couple of defenders in the 90th minute only to miss an open goal.
Instead of extra time, the game went immediately to a penalty shoot out, with Martinez's side prevailing after Van Ginkel missed the second of Stoke's spot kicks.