Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC 5, Hull City 1: Mikel Arteta strikes twice as Blues crush sorry Tigers
Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta 300[LNB]Mikel Arteta struck twice as Everton kept their European push alive with a crushing win over Barclays Premier League strugglers Hull this afternoon.[LNB]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.[LNB]The Nigerian hit the post and missed a penalty but it ultimately mattered little as Everton overran their visitors in the second half.[LNB]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.[LNB]Hull, who remain in the bottom three, struggled to live with the Merseysiders for most of the game.[LNB]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.[LNB]Everton, in recording a club record-equalling sixth successive Premier League home win, were simply stronger in all departments.[LNB]Were it not for Yakubu having a personal nightmare in front of goal, the damage could have been much worse.[LNB]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.[LNB]Everton hit back on the break with Arteta getting a chance to shoot after his poor pass was hit straight back to him by Kevin Kilbane but he sliced wide.[LNB]Arteta fired wide again moments later and Amr Zaki did no better at the other end with a scuffed effort.[LNB]Leon Osman then carved out Yakubu's first clear-cut chance with a superb throughball but the Nigerian, alone up front in place of the injured Louis Saha, hit the post with Boaz Myhill beaten.[LNB]Yakubu did his best to put that behind him by delivering the deep cross for Arteta's opener after 17 minutes.[LNB]The former Middlesbrough man found space on the left and picked out Arteta at the far post with precision.
