Needing a win to keep a top standing in the English Premier League table, Everton established their offensive attack en route to a 3-1 drubbing of Reading.

Heading into this match, Everton was the sixth-best team in the EPL table, owning 42 points and trailing fourth-place Chelsea by seven points while the Royals rest in the basement of the standings at No. 19 with 23 points.

The Toffees scored their fist goal in the 42nd minute, as Marouane Fellaini headed one into the back of the net on a beautiful cross from Seamus Coleman.

Roughly 17 minutes later, Steven Pienaar sealed the deal for Everton, as Fellaini picked up the assist on Pienaar's rocket into the top corner.

Everton would go on to add insult to injury, with Kevin Mirallas scoring on a dish from Pienaar in the 66th minute of the match to give the Toffees a three-goal lead.

Hal Robson-Kanu found the back of the net for Reading in the 84th-minute—his fourth—but it was too little too late for the Royals.

With the win, Everton pulls within two points of fifth-place Arsenal.

 

Grades

Marouane Fellaini, Everton: A

Hi-res-162958040_crop_exact Clive Mason/Getty Images

Fellaini was sensational against the lesser Royals on Saturday, picking up a goal and an assist to lead the Toffees to victory.

Fellaini had plenty of chances to make his presence known in this match and he certainly took advantage of it, placing three shots on goal.

 

Adam Le Fondre, Reading: C

As the leading scorer for this Royals club, Le Fondre didn't have his best match on Saturday. He failed to get a shot on goal and picked up a yellow card as the forward saw his club dominated by the Toffees.

That's now five games straight without a goal or assist for Le Fondre.

 

Steven Pienaar, Everton: B+

Hi-res-162958347_crop_exact Clive Mason/Getty Images

Steven Pienaar and Fellaini were excellent playing off each other against the Royals, as Pienaar also picked up a goal and an assist in Saturday's match, with Pienaar's goal being one of the most memorable highlights from Everton's win.

 

Post-Match Reaction

ESPN highlights Everton's first goal of the match, which came in the first half:

Squawka Sports does an excellent job of showing us how Hal Robson-Kanu scored the goal for Reading:

BBC Sport tells the tale of Everton's second goal of the match that put Reading away:

Goal.com's George Ankers tweets about Everton's impressive attack:

 

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