Everton 5 Hull City 1: Moyes loses count as Hull lose the plot in heavy Everton loss

Mikel Arteta struck twice in a convincing Premier League victory and Richard Garcia turned into his own net and substitutes Landon Donovan and Jack Rodwell also scored.

The scoreline could have been even more emphatic as a host of other chances were passed up.

Ayegbeni Yakubu missed a penalty, hit a post and put another good chance over the bar while, among other opportunities, Victor Anichebe had a 'goal' disallowed.

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At full-time Moyes was convinced his team had scored six and had to be corrected in his post-match press conference.

Moyes said: "I thought the players played really well and to score six was very good."

Moyes then joked about how a radio reporter had told him the team only scored five goals.

When it was pointed out five was indeed the correct score, Moyes said: "I'm sure it was six. I'm delusional."

Regardless of the number of goals, Everton's emphatic performance lifted them to eighth in the table and firmly back into European contention.

Hull, however, will not have seen the funny side to Moyes's post-match comments as the defeat was costly in more than one way.

Not only did they lose the game, but the fact that Everton put five goals past Boaz Myhill, means the goal-difference tally also took something of a beating, something which could prove crucial come the end of the season.

The defeat leaves them in the relegation zone and after raising spirits by taking points off Chelsea and Manchester City last month, the Tigers have now lost three in succession.

Midfield talisman Jimmy Bullard, returning after a three-month lay-off, failed to make an impact and the absences of Anthony Gardner and Andy Dawson weakened their defence considerably. Everton, in recording a club record-equalling sixth successive Premier League home win, were simply stronger in all departments.

Were it not for Yakubu having a personal nightmare in front of goal, the damage could have been much worse.

Hull manager Phil Brown said: "I thought we were competitive in the first half but in the second we certainly weren't and seem to have left our game in the dressing room for whatever reason.

"Everton were good but we made them look good because we didn't get in the face of the opposition after the break.

"Defensively I have questioned one or two but we will dust ourselves down and get on with it. We have got 10 big games left to play now.

"Goal difference will play a big part in the relegation battle this season and that kind of collapse in the second half is certainly not what is required from us between now and the end of the season."

It might have been different had Garcia taken an early chance after brilliantly controlling a high ball from Nick Barmby, but Tim Howard jumped to block his shot.

Leon Osman carved out Yakubu's first chance with a superb throughball but the Nigerian hit a post with Myhill beaten. Yakubu did his best to put that behind him by delivering the deep cross for Arteta's opener after 17 minutes.

Yakubu's touch deserted him again soon after, however, as he missed from the spot, although Hull could claim the penalty award by referee Lee Mason was harsh in the first place.

It came after Hull were caught by Leighton Baines on the left and Yakubu went down as both he and Kamil Zayatte battled to reach his cross.

Yakubu was keen to take responsibility from 12 yards but his stop-start run-up was followed by a tame shot.

Hull made Yakubu pay as highly-rated teenager Tom Cairney levelled superbly after 31 minutes.

Barmby's free-kick was headed out by Phil Jagielka and Cairney controlled on his chest before firing in a left-footed shot.

But the scores were not level for long as Victor Anichebe broke down the right and pulled the ball back into the box.

Steven Pienaar helped it on its way with a backheel and the in-rushing Arteta slotted his second goal with a well-placed finish.

Everton really turned up the pressure early in the second half and could have scored with a host of chances, their persistence paying off with a third goal after 51 minutes.

Myhill flapped at Arteta's cross under his own crossbar and the unsuspecting Garcia could do little to prevent the ball bouncing off his head and in.

The one-way traffic continued as Donovan smashed home a superb fourth goal after two Hull defenders failed to clear Baines's cross eight minutes from time and Everton still had time for more as John Heitinga found Donovan out wide and the American pulled back for Rodwell to clip home a fifth.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Mikel Arteta

If only Hull had someone like this lad. His passing ability is astounding and his finishing is equally as clinical. He sees passes that others can only dream of and against the Hull defence, he enjoyed a fruitful afternoon.

Villain: Yakubu

It may seem odd to give this award to an Everton player, but Yakubu was in such poor form that he deserves to be classed the villain... or should that be the hero to the Hull fans?

Key moment: Half-time

Hull City manager Phil Brown was unhappy with his side's second-half performance, saying the players left their game in the dressing room.

Ref watch: Lee Mason

Almost gave Everton a helping hand with the dubious penalty when really the home side didn't need any help at all to take all three points.

Verdict

Not the best of afternoons for Hull City and their supporters who must be very worried at the current form of their side. They must now hope that Jimmy Bullard can find his form and revitalise the club.

Quote of the day

I thought the players played really well and to score six was very good – Everton manager David Moyes gets his maths wrong.

Next game

Hull v Arsenal; Saturday, March 13; Premier League.