Stones put in an assured display and outperformed his Blues counterparts John Terry and Kurt Zouma

Everton refused to sell star defender John Stones to Chelsea in the summer, despite them tabling multiple bids of over £30million

John Stones, the subject of a summer-long transfer tug-of-war between Everton and Chelsea, was always destined for spotlight treatment when the two teams met in the Premier League.

The Toffees turned down multiple bids in excess of £30million for the 21-year-old centre-back and Roberto Martinez insisted that Stones was central to Everton's plans to finish in the top four. He even boldly rebuffed Stones' attempts to force the move with a transfer request.

Based on the youngster's performance during Saturday's 3-1 win at Goodison Park, you can understand why. Up against John Terry, the man he was earmarked by Jose Mourinho to succeed, and Kurt Zouma, Stones put in a peerless performance at the back.

Everton defender John Stones (left) denies Chelsea striker Diego Costa the chance to score

An Everton fan reveals a novelty scarf mocking Chelsea's summer-long pursuit of Stones

Stones is featured on the front cover of the first edition of NSNO's free Everton fanzine

As home fans unfurled a banner insisting 'no means no Jose' and the sound system blared out The Beatles' hit 'Money Can't Buy Me Love' purposefully, there was a sense that Stones had been told to prove a point; and that he did.

After the Barnsley-born defender had asked to leave Everton in August, there were some supporters still naturally suspicious of his commitment to the cause, but they needn't have been. Stones demonstrated a confidence and professionalism well beyond his years against Chelsea and within the first minute had denied Diego Costa a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Stones completed 36 of his 41 passes during the match and can boast a 100 per cent tackle success. Terry, meanwhile, didn't make a single tackle all afternoon.

If Stones' willingness to play for the shirt was in question before the clash with Chelsea, it will certainly not be now.

He made nine recoveries compared to Terry's six and Zouma's two, while winning three out of four of his aerial duels. Zouma, who looked cumbersome, clumsy and struggled to deal with Romelu Lukaku up front, won just four of his eight in the air.

Stones clears the ball upfield during Everton's 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Saturday

Kurt Zouma goes to ground as he tussles with Everton's Muhamed Besic (right) in the first-half

Terry shouts instructions to his Chelsea team-mates during the Premier League match on Merseyside

Stones' versatility was showcased in the 77th minute with Martinez' introduction of Ramiro Funes Mori from the bench seeing him shifted to right-back.

He made the transition look effortless and even started the move that led to Everton's third goal and a hat-trick for Steven Naismith.

Stones' reluctance to clear the ball without direction was evident throughout and the lofty comparisons to Rio Ferdinand by Glenn Hoddle earlier this month are looking harder and harder to dismiss.

Stones is compared to Chelsea centre-back Terry - Click HERE for full Match Zone and stats

Stones controls the ball calmly as he plays it out from the back ahead of the on-rushing Pedro (right)

Stones congratulates Steven Naismith (left) after he scores the first of his three goals agianst Chelsea

Stones rises highest to win the ball ahead of Zouma (left) and Cesc Fabregas (right) at Goodison Park

A minor blemish was perhaps the booking Stones received on 86 minutes for kicking the ball out of play, but that he was able to become so emotionally invested in the game is a sign of reassurance for Everton fans.

Saturday's result sees Everton sit fifth in the table with Chelsea a lowly 16th on the back of their worst start to a league campaign since 1988.

While Chelsea are almost certain to improve, so is Stones and by extension so are Everton. The resolve not to bow down to the pressures of the modern market could prove to be one of the most significant moments in paving the future of The People's Club.

Zouma (left) struggles to cope with Stones' presence in the box as they await the delivery of a corner