David Moyes loses count as Everton thrash Hull

Everton were so rampant against Hull that even their manager lost count!

The Blues smashed five past their relegation haunted visitors, but afterwards boss David Moyes was convinced they had claimed a further goal.

A confused Moyes insisted: "We have played brilliantly against some of the top teams, but not always done ourselves justice against those lower down, so to get six was pleasing.

"Was it five? No, I'm sure it was six. It was five? When I spoke to the radio he said it was five and I told him it was six, so I don't know what score it was!"

Everton could have had a lot more than five or even six, after missing a penalty and having a perfectly good goal ruled out when Victor Anichebe was incorrectly judged offside.

They were inspired by two goals from Mikel Arteta who found the net for the first time in more than a year and the midfielder then tried to claim a hat trick after his cross was headed into the net by Hull's Richard Garcia.

"I'm claiming the third one as well, why not? Let's see what happens.

"I'll have to see the replay but I feel it was going in anyway and I definitely want the hat trick," Arteta said.

The Spaniard has only recently returned after a crippling cruciate ligament injury kept him out for almost 12 months, and he dedicated his goals to his son Gabriel, born eight months ago.

For Moyes, the role of the Spaniard was crucial to his side's success, and the Blues boss also praised Landon Donovan, who signed off with a goal in what could be his last appearance at Goodison.

"Landon's loan deal ends after the trip to Birmingham next week, and while we would like to extend it for longer, at this moment his side LA Galaxy want to take him back right away, and if that remains the case we'll have to respect that," he said.

For Hull boss Phil Brown admitted this was a massive set-back, and he was particularly disappointed about the late goals conceded that have hit his side's goal difference tally badly.

"We left our game in the changing room at half time. Their midfield three ran the show and Arteta was the pick of the bunch, he was exceptional, and they were good, but we did make them look good, because we didnít get in their face," Brown said,

"I've told them I'm disappointed with the way we went under at the end. It was uncharacteristic, but goal difference could play a big part and shipping goals like that is not what we need, and this could have a bad effect on morale for the run in."