Arteta hits two as Everton hammer Hull

Mar 7, 2010 - 7:36 PM By GEOFF McALLISTER STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Mikel Arteta's double, his first Premier League goals for more than a year, fired Everton to an emphatic 5-1 victory over relegation-threatened Hull at Goodison Park.

Spanish midfielder Arteta, who has only just battled back from a long-term knee injury, claimed his first with a scorching volley before teenage Hull midfielder Tom Cairney equalised in style.

Everton striker Yakubu missed a first-half penalty but Arteta's second, a Richard Garcia own goal and further strikes from Landon Donovan and Jack Rodwell ensured a comfortable three points for David Moyes' side.

Moyes said: "Arteta did some fantastic stuff, when he is on form we are a really good team and he is improving all the time.

"He is not there yet but when he is right we are certainly a more potent threat as a team.

"I was concerned when it went to 1-1 because I though that would get Hull's tails up but we responded well.

"We have been playing well, we have not really beaten anyone by a lot so it was nice to get five goals."

Everton's performance was a slow-burner as they did not exactly begin the game in the rampant style they were to end it.

Garcia tried to lob Tim Howard in the opening five minutes after he raced clear of a sloppy Everton defence and that served as a wake up call for the Toffees.

Leon Osman set Yakubu up but the Nigerian struck the outside of the post, in what was to be a frustrating afternoon for the striker.

He did however play a part in Everton's opener, swinging a cross in from the left-hand side for Arteta to expertly volley the ball home, albeit by virtue of some generous Hull marking.

Yakubu then missed the second of several chances he had to score when his weak penalty was saved by Boaz Myhill and his misery was accentuated by Hull then grabbing an equaliser.

Everton failed to adequately clear a free-kick and teenage midfielder Cairney swept home a fine 20-yard strike to draw the Tigers level.

But the home side were not taking it lying down and took just seven minutes to regain the lead with Victor Anichebe setting up Arteta for the Spaniard's classy back-heel to beat Myhill.

The third arrived just after half-time and in comedic circumstances, though not for Hull as it virtually signalled the end of the game for them.

A lofted cross was poorly judged by Myhill and amid the confusion Garcia headed into his own net.

Yakubu wasted another chance, shooting wide when well-placed but American international Donovan emerged off the bench to score a fourth in what could be his last appearance at Goodison Park following his loan from LA Galaxy.

Donovan has been a hit on Merseyside and with Moyes hoping to extend the temporary deal he further endeared himself to the home support by finishing confidently into the corner of the net from Leighton Baines' teasing cross.

Hull were limping to the trip back to Humberside but suffered further punishment as five-star Everton wrapped things up with Rodwell finishing from Donovan's centre.

Hull boss Phil Brown said: "I felt our heads went down too early which is not common of us and that will not keep us in the Premier League.

"You look at Everton and they were all hungry for the ball, comfortable in possession and we need to get that sort of confidence back."