Art class lifts Toffees

Mikel Arteta struck twice as Everton kept their European push alive with a crushing 5-1 win over Barclays Premier League strugglers Hull.

The Spaniard found the net either side of a sublime Tom Cairney equaliser to spare the blushes of profligate striker Ayegbeni Yakubu in the first half at Goodison Park.

The Nigerian hit the post and missed a penalty but it ultimately mattered little as Everton overran their visitors in the second half.

Richard Garcia headed an Arteta cross into his own net and substitutes Landon Donovan, making the final home appearance of his loan spell from Los Angeles Galaxy, and Jack Rodwell completing the rout.

Hull, who remain in the bottom three, struggled to live with the Merseysiders for most of the game.

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.

Donovan showed him how to finish by smashing home a superb fourth goal after two Hull defenders failed to clear a Leighton Baines cross eight minutes from time.

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.