HULL, England - Goals from Ahmed Elmohamady and Nikica Jelavic ensured Everton's festive flop continued with a fourth straight Premier League defeat as the Toffees moved closer to the relegation zone with a 2-0 loss to strugglers Hull on Thursday.

Everton wanted to banish defeats by Southampton, Stoke and Newcastle but instead was brushed aside by opponents who had won just once in their last 12 matches, with a late red card for Antolin Alcaraz rubbing salt into the wounds.

Gareth Barry was exposed in an unfamiliar back-three position but an Everton side that welcomed back key men Phil Jagielka, Kevin Mirallas, Steven Naismith and Ross Barkley was second best at every turn.

A rare headed opener from Elmohamady in the 33rd was followed 10 minutes later by a neatly taken sixth goal of the season from Jelavic.