Everton have slumped to their fourth consecutive league loss after they were beaten 2-0 by Hull City this afternoon.

© Getty Images

The visitors could have gone ahead in the opening stages, but squandered a good opportunity as Arouna Kone couldn't pick out a teammate after good approach play from Muhamed Besic.

Hull responded positively though, and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Abel Hernandez was bundled over, and then Joel Robles had to be alert to parry away a shot from the Uruguayan just moments later.

Hernandez was then denied by a Robles save once more, but shortly after the half-hour mark Hull went ahead as Elmohamady crept in front of Leighton Baines from Liam Rosenior's cross and glanced a header into the back of the net.

© Getty Images

Two minutes before the break, Jelavic netted against his former club with a clinical finish after being set free behind the Everton defence to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.

Hull continued to push Everton back but failed to capitalise on more poor defending from the visitors as Hernandez sent his shot wide after a goalmouth scramble.

Everton did eventually threaten and Allan McGregor had to stretch to push Ross Barkley's vicious shot away in the 53rd minute.

The next time the Toffees threatened was in the 71st minute as Steven Naismith's goalbound shot was blocked by a sprawling Harry Maguire.

Jelavic almost put the game beyond all doubt in the 80th minute but the Everton defence did well to thwart the Croatian's effort.

Romelu Lukaku guided a header over the bar in the closing stages before Antolin Alcaraz was sent off to cap a miserable afternoon for the visitors.