Wolves 0-3 Everton

EVERTON hit three first-half goals to pile misery on relegation threatened Wolves.

The Blues had to show resolve inside the opening 20 minutes of this afternoon's game at Molyneux before the showed a ruthless streak to dramatically tip the balance of the game in their favour.

Jermaine Beckford headed home his ninth goal of the season in all competition to get David Moyes' men underway before a pair of fizzing strikes stunned the hopeful home crowd.

Captain Phil Neville collected Beckford's lay-off to arrow into Wayne Henessey's top corner on 38 minutes to make it 2-0, notching his first goal for three years.

And on the stroke of half-time Diniyar Bilyaletdinov captialised on hesitation in the Wolves defence by pouncing on loose ball in the midfielder before unleashing a venomous effort into the top corner.

Hennessey kept the half-time scoreline respectable for Wolves with fine saves from Beckford and Magaye Gueye either side of Everton's goals.

Wolves tried to summon a comeback in the second half but found Everton - and goalkeeper Tim Howard - in stubborn mood.

Everton should have made it 4-0 late on but Bilyaletdinov fluffed his chance from Leon Osman's low cross.

Everton held on for their biggest away for four years and move within one point of Liverpool.