Having completed a year without an away win, Hull City were beaten on the road again on Sunday, this time 5-1 at Everton.

Things had looked bright in the first half when Tom Cairney's first Premier League goal brought the Tigers level following Mikel Arteta's early opener.

But a second for Arteta before half time followed by a dominant second half performance by the Toffees meant City were rarely in the game.

Having recovered from his knee injury sustained at Aston Villa on 5 December, Jimmy Bullard was handed a start as the Tigers made five changes to the side that lined up at West Ham United just over a fortnight ago.

Kamil Zayatte (on his 25th birthday), Richard Garcia and former Toffees Kevin Kilbane and Nick Barmby also came into the side.

Stephen Hunt (foot injury), Anthony Gardner (ankle injury), Andy Dawson (illness), Craig Fagan (suspended) and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (tactical) were the men to miss out.

City started with a 4-5-1 formation with Amr Zaki the lone front man and Barmby operating on the left of midfield.

In the absence of Gardner, George Boateng captained the side.

City had a great chance on six minutes when Barmby's clever through ball saw Garcia beat the offside trap.

In fairness to Garcia, it was a difficult ball to control and by the time he tried to lob it over Tim Howard, the goalkeeper had closed him down and blocked the effort.

A dangerous break from Everton had City on the back foot on ten minutes, but Mikel Arteta's final shot was well wide.

Everton should have been in front three minutes later.

Boateng lost the ball close to his own box, leading to Yakubu finding himself through on goal, but he tried to be too accurate with his shot and ended up hitting the post and seeing the ball rebound to safety.

The home side did take the lead on 17 minutes.

Yakubu put over a deep cross from the left and, inexplicably, Arteta was left free at the back post to volley home.

Barmby had a similar chance moments later, but his shot was blocked by Phil Neville.

Everton were awarded a penalty on 29 minutes when Zayatte was harshly adjudged to have brought down Yakubu in the box.

Yakubu stepped up to take it, but he was denied by Myhill who dived to his right to keep it out.

The Tigers made the most of that let-off and equalised four minutes later.

Bullard's free kick was cleared to the edge of the box where Tom Cairney took a touch before delivering a stunning left-foot shot into the corner of the net.

Not bad for his first Premier League goal.

But Everton were back in front six minutes before half time.

Victor Anichebe's low cross was played into the path of Arteta by Steven Pienaar and he calmy stroked home his second goal of the afternoon.

Garcia went close to a reply after a neat passing move, but his final shot from 18 yards went over.

Half Time: Tigers 1-2 Everton

Everton thought they'd added a third goal three minutes after the break when Yakubu squared for Anichebe to tap home, but the celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

The home side had clearly come out with the intention of putting the game to bed quickly and although Myhill denied Gosling, it only delayed the inevitable.

Arteta's cross from the left eluded the City keeper and was headed into his own net by the unfortunate Garcia.

Everton could have had a fourth when they broke out after a City attack. Pienaar squared the ball for John Heitinga, but his effort was well blocked by Cairney.

City's first change came on the hour as Geovanni replaced Barmby before Jozy Altidore replaced Bullard three minutes later.

Myhill had to deny Sylvain Distin after Paul McShane had inadvertently played the Everton defender through on goal.

City's final change saw Vennegoor of Hesselink replace Zaki.

The Dutch striker should have been awarded a penalty with 11 minutes to go when he was hauled to the ground in the box, but the referee waved play on.

Everton added a fourth goal with eight minutes to go.

A ball in from the left was allowed to reach substitute Landon Donovan at the far post and he produced a clinical finish that gave Myhill no chance.

City were caving in alarmingly and shipped a fifth goal when Jack Rodwell converted Donovan's cut back.

A dismal afternoon was completed when Garcia was booked in added time.

Tigers (4-5-1) Boaz Myhill; Paul McShane, Steven Mouyokolo, Kamil Zayatte, Kevin Kilbane; Richard Garcia, George Boateng [captain], Jimmy Bullard (Altidore 63),Tom Cairney, Nick Barmby (Geovanni 60); Amr Zaki (Vennegoor of Hesselink 69).

Subs: Matt Duke, Liam Cooper, Seyi Olofinjana, Geovanni, Kamel Ghilas, Jozy Altidore, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Bookings: Garcia 90.

Everton (4-4-2) Tim Howard; Phil Neville [captain], Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin, Leighton Baines; Leon Osman (Rodwell 44), John Heitinga, Mikel Arteta, Steven Pienaar (Gosling 86); Victor Anichebe (Donovan 69), Yakubu.

Subs: Carlo Nash, Tony Hibbert, Joseph Yobo, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Landon Donovan, Dan Gosling, Jack Rodwell.

Bookings: Nil.