Everton look on course for a return to the top half of the table after taking a 1-0 lead into half time against Hull City.
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The opening stages of the match passed by without incident before Romelu Lukaku finally produced a threat in the final third with a driven effort that was comfortably claimed by Allan McGregor.
Lukaku then combined with Ross Barkley to create a shooting opportunity for Seamus Coleman, but the right-back's effort was deflected wide for a corner.
The home side continued to keep the pressure on their opponents but the Tigers could have taken a surprise lead shortly before the half-hour mark, when former Toffees forward Nikica Jelavic headed wide after being found by Ahmed Elmohamady.
That near miss resulted in Everton moving out of first gear and 11 minutes before the break, they went in front when Kevin Mirallas made inroads down the flank before setting up Lukaku to power home at the back post.
As the first half neared a close, Everton threatened a second, with Mirallas running at the Hull backline at every given opportunity, but the Tigers managed to hold out until the break.
Darren Plant
