Ayegbeni Yakubu scored a brilliant second half hat trick as Everton emerged comfortable victors in their 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, the game sprang to life 6 minutes after restart when Yakubu converted from a rebound and followed it up with a second in the 61st minute after latching on to Phil Jagielka's flick on. The Nigerian striker completed his hat trick with a curling effort 11 minutes before the final whistle.

Fulham started the game strongly with Diomansy Kamara coming close to putting the visitors in the lead but saw his shot flash across the face of the goal. However Everton slowly gained control of the match with Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta forcing good saves out of Antti Niemi.

The hosts finally took the lead with a scrappy goal in the 51st minute. Tim Cahill drove the ball towards the target and though Niemi blocked the first attempt, the rebound fell straight into the feet of Yakubu who made no mistake from close range.

Yakubu grabbed his second of the night in the 61st minute when he rose high to meet a flick on by Phil Jagielka from Arteta's corner and headed home from six yards out. With Fulham unable to create any chances, the result was a foregone conclusion before the Nigerian international grabbed his hat trick in the 79th minute after curling the ball beyond Niemi's reach and into the net.