LIVERPOOL: Everton pushed Hull deeper into the relegation mire as Mikel Arteta's double inspired a 5-1 rout of the Tigers at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Spain midfielder Arteta scored his first goals of an injury-hit season either side of Tom Cairney's equaliser and David Moyes' side wrapped up the points thanks to Richard Garcia's own goal and late strikes from Landon Donovan and Jack Rodwell. While the Toffees still harbour hopes of a European place, Hull have only a grim struggle against relegation to occupy their minds.

Hull had an early opportunity as Garcia controlled a high ball from Stephen Hunt, but the midfielder's shot was blocked by Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard. Everton turned the screw after that and Arteta fired wide before Leon Osman created an opportunity for Ayegbeni Yakubu. Osman picked out Yakubu with a superb through-ball but the Nigerian's shot hit a post.

It was just a few moments before Everton were celebrating anyway as Arteta opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Yakubu delivered a cross which Arteta converted. Yakubu had played his part in Everton's opener but he squandered a chance to double Everton's lead from the penalty spot. Referee Lee Mason ruled that Yakubu had been fouled by Kamil Zayatte as the pair battled to reach Leighton Baines' cross, but the Nigerian's scuffed penalty was easily saved by Myhill.

Hull made the hosts pay as midfielder Cairney hit a superb equaliser in the 31st minute. Nick Barmby's free-kick was headed out by Phil Jagielka and Cairney controlled on his chest before lashing a half-volley across Howard. Hull had barely settled back down when Arteta scored.

Everton added the third goal in the 51st minute. Myhill flapped at an Arteta cross under the crossbar and Garcia couldn't stop the ball bouncing off his head and into his own net.

Donovan rubbed salt into Hull's wounds when he volleyed in a Baines cross in the 82nd minute. And Rodwell completed the rout four minutes later with a cool finish from Donovan's cross.