Goals from Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas have given Everton a 2-0 lead at half time against Queens Park Rangers at Goodison Park.
Steven Naismith, who had been recalled to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury, almost played Romelu Lukaku in on 12 minutes, but the Belgian striker was unable to reach the pass across the face of goal.
Junior Hoilett wasted a good opening for the visitors when he opted to fire tamely at Tim Howard on 19 minutes, with a number of options either side of him.
Mirallas had a good chance for the Blues when he cut inside before firing a powerful effort narrowly over the bar from 25 yards, and it was the home side who looked the most likely of breaking the deadlock.
The Toffees looked bright in the final third as Mirallas jinked inside before playing a ball out wide to Aiden McGeady just after the half-hour mark.
The Ireland international pulled the ball back to Barkley on the edge of the box, but the England international's shot was blocked.
However, Barkley was not to be denied, and the midfielder opened the scoring with a rasping left-footed effort from 25 yards moments later.
Mirallas then doubled Everton's advantage shortly before the break thanks to a heavy deflection from a free kick that wrong-footed Robert Green in the QPR goal.
Paul Gorst
