Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Hull City and Everton at the KC Stadium.

Both sides will be looking to put a poor end to 2014 behind them this afternoon in order to push back up the league table. The Tigers come into this game with just one win in their last 12 outings, while the visitors have been equally as poor by tasting defeat in four of their last five.

Kickoff on Humberside is less than an hour away, so let's begin by taking a look at how the two teams line up...

A six week injury lay-off for goalkeeper Tim Howard has opened the door for Joel Robles to deputise once more between the sticks for the visitors, while James McCarthy also misses out having left the field early against Newcastle United earlier this week.

Roberto Martinez has opted to retain England international Ross Barkley in a wide midfield position for this one, with Gareth Barry also retaining his place in the middle of the park. Fresh from scoring on his first start for the club last time out, Arouna Kone has been named in the starting lineup once more with Romelu Lukaku missing out.

In terms of the home side, Steve Bruce can call upon centre-back James Chester again following his return from suspension, and he slips into a five-man backline which includes two wing backs in Ahmed Elmohamady and promising youngster Andrew Robertson.

Liam Rosenior was a doubt coming into today's game due to an Achilies injury, although he is deemed fit enough for a place among the substitutes. Mohamed Diame and Michael are still injured, meanwhile, with former Toffee favourite Nikica Jelavic leading the line for the Tigers.

Everton have named a strong looking bench, with the aforementioned Lukaku among their backups along with Christian Atsu, Samuel Eto'o and long-term injury absentee Bryan Oviedo. Hull can call upon Tom Ince should they wish this afternoon after the former Blackpool flier's loan spell in the Championship was cut short, while Yannick Sagbo is also among the matchday squad.

Well as already touched upon a little earlier, Hull City's 2014 did not end on the best of notes. They may have secured Premier League survival in their first season back in the top flight and reached an FA Cup final, but their league form overall over the past 12 months has been rather worrying.

Just three home victories from a possible 18 highlights the Tigers' league woes in 2014, although with a new year comes a fresh outlook - or at least that's what the saying suggests. If Hull are to climb back up the Premier League table then they must quickly rectify their worrying form which has seen them take just one win from their last 12. The Humberside outfit looked to have turned a corner with a huge 3-1 victory over Sunderland recently, but having lost a "cup final" against Leicester City last time out as Bruce himself described it beforehand, Hull quickly need to return to winning ways.

Of course, surviving relegation in a fairly straightforward manner and reaching a major cup final didn't help with expectations coming into this season. But there is no denying that, combined with their summer purchases, Hull should be far higher up the table than where they currently sit, level on points with the drop zone.

The biggest problem the Tigers have faced appears to be a lack of goals in recent weeks, with just seven goals in their last 12 going a long way to showing just why they have found wins so hard to come by. That said, in Bruce Hull possess a manager who certainly boasts experience at this level, and having all-but declined the chance to take on the soon-to-be-vacant managerial position at Newcastle United, he is now attempting to turn around his side's fortunes in the second half of the campaign.

While a lot of Hull's problems can be credited to a lack of goals, it is at the other end of the field where Everton have struggled thus far. The Toffees boast the third worst defensive record in the top flight with 31 goals conceded, which is even more remarkable when you consider that they only conceded 39 goals in the entire of the last campaign.

Like their opponents this afternoon, Everton ended the year on a sour note having lost their three games of 2014. Going further back, it's four losses in five for Martinez's charges, who have also now gone nine games without a clean sheet. The omens are certainly not looking good at this moment in time for the Toffees, also the man in charge has vowed to stick with his style of play.

Yet there is still some underlying hope for the Blues that they can turn things around. This is a side remember that finished agonisingly close to a Champions League spot last season, and if Martinez can get his team to click into place then a late charge could be on the cards. Right now, though, the team hangs just five points above the relegation zone, so a string of victories is imperative if the Merseysiders are to push up the table.

If you're just joining us here's a look at the team news, as both manager opt to freshen up their sides:

DID YOU KNOW? Everton have lost their last four away games on the bounce for the first time since 2005. It's not all bad news for their travelling army of supporters this afternoon, however, as Hull picked up just three victories on home soil throughout the duration of 2014.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The Toffees have lost just one of their last 12 fixtures against Hull in a run stretching back 62 years. That solo reverse came back in November 2009 when the Tigers ran out 3-2 winners following a blistering start to the game, scoring three times inside the opening 30 minutes.

So a little over 10 minutes to go until kickoff at the KC Stadium, then, in a game that provides both sides with a real opportunity to put a bad run of form behind them. Expectations at Everton and Hull are certainly high following decent seasons last time out, and although things haven't quite gone to plan thus far, there is still half a season to turn around their respective campaigns.

PREDICTION: Although Everton have struggled on the road of late, you can't completely discount them with the likes of Lukaku and Eto'o among their backups. Having won just seven games in 2014 you can only really expect Hull to improve as we begin a new year, but that will have to wait with the Toffees claiming a 2-0 victory here today.

UPDATE: There's just enough time to bring you an update from the day's early kickoff at the Britannia Stadium, in a game which saw Manchester United drop more points in their attempt to close the gap on leaders Chelsea. Stoke City took the lead early on through Ryan Shawcross, and although Radamel Falcao halved the deficit, the Red Devils were unable to snatch a winner.

Well the teams are now out on the field and the pre-match handshakes are out of the way with, meaning that kickoff is just a few minutes away. Both manager have talked a lot in the build-up to this one about turning around their side's faltering fortunes, but the time for talking is over. If they are to climb up the table then wins are needed fast, starting with this big clash at the KC Stadium.

KICKOFF! We're underway on Humerside, and instantly Everton look to attack with Steven Naismith's ball around the back a little too heavy for Kone to latch onto.

CHANCE! With around 70 seconds on the clock Everton carve Hull completely open and really should be 1-0 up. Besic led a charge down the right, skipping away from Jelavic before picking out Kone. The striker found himself a few yards from goal with two teammates up with him, but he failed to pick out either of them. Great counter, but no end product.

PENALTY APPEAL! Incredible start to the game, as Hull have a solid penalty turned down just moments after Everton failed to capitalise on a great opening of their own. Hernanez was clearly bundled over inside the penalty area, although referee Kevin Friend pointed only for a free kick on the edge of the area. It was quite clearly inside, and Hull can rightly feel aggrieved.

SAVE! Robles is forced into making the game's first save as he pushes Hernandez's drive behind for a corner. He had to be at full stretch to deny the Hull forward, and that will do his confidence a load of good. Frantic start at the KC Stadium!

Everton step things up a little and get just half a chance through Mirallas, who latches onto a loose ball on the edge of the area before firing high and wide.

This game has shown no signs of quietening down as Huddlestone becomes the latest to try his luck. A corner fell nicely to him just inside the area, and he opted to lash the ball with his right foot a few inches wide of the target.

YELLOW CARD! Besic, never one to pull out of a challenge, takes just 11 minutes to enter the referee's book following a rash challenge on Robertson.

Jelavic nearly finds himself in on goal following a decent pass in behind the EVerton backline, but the visitors pushed up high to catch their former teammate offside. He seems keen to impress this afternoon, although he has already blasted a free kick well over the bar.

Another couple of half-chances for both sides as the contest remains wide open. Coleman's fine run down the right allowed him to pick out Naismith in a central position inside the box, but the Scotland international couldn't get the ball out of his feet in time. Hull broke straight up the other end, but Hernandez had the same problem, struggling to pick out the right pass to see the move break down.

It's somehow still goalless at the KC Stadium, as both sides fail to make the most of some promising openings. Everton blew the best chance early on when they hit their opponents on the counter but failed to play their cards right, while Hull have had a stonewall penalty turned down.

YELLOW CARD! Meyler is shown a yellow card following a poor challenge on Naismith, just moments after the Everton man went down in the area with a penalty claim waved away. He went down under the challenge of Hernandez, but it appeared as though Friend got the call correct.

Incidentally, Hull appear to be playing a 4-4-2 formation with Hernandez out wide, while Everton are set out in a 3-5-2 shape with Barry dropping into a central defensive position.

HULL CITY SUB: A blow for the hosts as the returning Robertson leaves the field early on. Liam Rosenior, who himself has been struggling with an injury, comes on in his place.

The game has certainly quietened down in the last 10 minutes or so following what was a frantic start. It is a balanced affair at the moment, and you get the sense that the first goal will go a long way to deciding the winner of this contest.

Barkley goes on one of his trademark surges forward from the halfway line to the opposition penalty area, and his run is only halted by a shove in the back from Elmohamady. The referee didn't award a free kick to the Toffees, though, instead waving play on. The experienced official has got a couple of calls wrong in the opening third of this game.

SAVE! Some good work by Hernandez sees him work a tight angle on goal, but instead of striking the ball across the face of goal he opts to shoot at the near post with Robles pushing the ball behind.

Hull take the lead through an unlikely source as Elmohamady glances his header past Robles. The ball into the box from substitute Rosenior was perfect for the defender to guide home for his first goal of the campaign. Baines was the man tasked with marking him, and he perhaps should have done better there.

That goal came about following a couple of minutes of sustained pressure from the hosts, and you have to say it is deserved after they had a penalty turned down early on. It has been a year since Everton last battled back from a goal behind, which will have to change here if they are to turn around their poor recent form.

SAVE! Meyler opts to shoot from range which forces Robles into making a stop, although it was a rather tame stop in the end right down the middle.

YELLOW CARD! The game's third caution goes the way of Jake Livermore, who takes out Baines with a nasty challenge. The Everton full-back has received some rough treatment in this first half.

Hernandez has been very lively in the opening 43 minutes or so, but his end product has often been lacking. That was the case moments ago when he failed to convert from inside the area after being picked out, side-footing his shot into an Everton defender.

Everton have it all to do now as Jelavic lobs the ball over Robles to double the Tigers' advantage against his former side. The Croatia international took Hernandez's ball over the top down on his chest, although the onrushing Robles looked to have closed down the angle. Jelavic kept his cool to lift the ball over the Toffees stopper, however, giving Hull a two-goal lead heading into the break.

YELLOW CARD! A fourth booking of the half is dished out, this time to Kone who catches Jelavic with his boot.

Referee Kevin Friend blows his whistle to signal the end of the first half. It is Hull who have taken a two-goal lead into the break following an entertaining first half on Humberside, with Elmohamady and Jelavic converting within 10 minutes of each other to make it 2-0.

Everton had a big early chance to edge ahead when they hit their opponents on a counter, completely breaking apart the Hull backline but failing to get a shot away at goal at the end of the move. The hosts then had a stonewall penalty appeal turned down when Hernandez went down inside the box, with referee Friend deciding to instead award a free kick on the edge of the area. The Tigers remained unfazed, though, taking their two of their chances to leave themselves well in command at the interval.

Well it's Roberto Martinez's side who have it all to do in the second 45 minutes, and we will surely see a change of personnel at the break. Both Lukaku and Eto'o are available from the bench, remember, with two goals needed to salvage a point. Hull have already been forced into a change, meanwhile, and it seemed to pay off as Rosenior - on for the injured Robertson - set up his side's opening goal on 33 minutes.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! We're back underway at the KC Stadium, and unsurprisingly Everton have opted to make a couple of changes at the break. Oviedo and Lukaku have entered the fray in place of Besic and Mirallas. Hull have also opted to change things up a little with Robbie Brady replacing Ramirez.

Almost an instant response following the restart from the Blues as Barkley burst into the box, but he completely fluffed his lines by missing the ball when attempting to shoot.

CLOSE! Everton all over the place at the back, although Hull fail to capitalise. The ball was bouncing around just a few yards from goal, but when Hernandez finally got a shot away it crawled narrowly wide of goal.

Everton win themselves a free kick around 30 yards from goal in a central position, yet rather than crossing the ball it is left to Luaku to shoot high and wide.

SAVE! Great stop from McGregor, who has had next to nothing to do this afternoon. Barkley did brilliantly to work away a shooting position inside the box, and he looked to have done enough to pull a goal back for his side only for the intervention of the Scottish keeper.

Had Barkley scored it would have been somewhat controversial because Rosenior was down on the sidelines in some pain after going to ground. His afternoon looks to be over.

HULL SUB: Harry Maguire comes on for the injured Rosenior, who looked in some discomfort as he was stretchered away. The sub has been subbed.

Hull come close to adding a third with a ball across the face of going just asking to be tapped home, but there is nobody around to do so. Up the other end Lukaku shoots from range, forcing McGregor into another straightforward stop down low.

Everton have had the better of things over the last five minutes or so, yet Hull still look fairly comfortable at 2-0. A goal could change all that, of course, all though time is now running out as we enter the final half an hour.

The Tigers understandably no longer seem as urgent to break forward as they did in the first half, allowing Everton to push bodies forward, although the visitors are still not doing enough to create any sort of chances.

YELLOW CARD! Jelavic is really enjoying himself out on the field at the moment against his former club, and he draws a challenge from Barry which leads to the game's fifth booking.

A nervous moment at the back for Robles as Brady's dangerous looking shot-cross dips right in front of him. The Spaniard did well to keep hold of the ball, though, as the scoreline remains at 2-0.

Jelavic goes in search of a second goal with a free kick from around 25 yards out, curling the ball a few inches over the bar.

CHANCE! There has been very few openings for either side this half in truth, although Naismith - arguably the visitors' best player this afternoon, comes close to grabbing a lifeline for the Toffees. Coleman pulled the ball back into his teammate's path, only for his shot to be blocked away by Maguire from close range. Hints of handball, but it would have been harsh had Friend awarded a penalty.

The pressure will certainly mount on this man in the coming days as Everton stare a fourth-successive defeat right in the face. The last time that happened was back in 2005. Bleak times!

A contentious decision made by referee Friend, who refuses to bow to crowd reaction and hand Barry a second yellow following his challenge on Hernandez.

Everton continue to turn the screw slightly, without truly troubling their opponents. Oviedo lashed a shot over the bar from long range to end his side's latest attack, as we approach the final 10 minutes. A goal for the visitors really would change everything, but it is looking increasingly unlikely.

CHANCE! Hull blow a big chance to wrap up the game, with Jelavic failing to convert from close range. Some good work by Hernandez down the right created the move, but his teammate's strike was blocked around six yards from goal.

Jelavic stole the ball away from Everton and looked to be in goal, only for Alcaraz's last-ditch tackle to win the ball back. Hull looking the more likely to score right now.

CHANCE! Arguably Everton's best opportunity of the half, and it falls to exactly the man you would want it to in that position - Romelu Lukaku. Baines's fine lofted pass gave the Belgian a chance to head the ball home from close range, but he couldn't keep his attempt down.

RED CARD! Alcaraz is shown a second yellow card to compound Everton's misery late on at the KC Stadium. It looked a harsh decision at first as he appeared to just hold his ground as an opposition player charged into him, but perhaps it was what he said to the referee afterwards which led to the caution.

CHANCE! Another chance for Hull to add a third goes begging, as Hernandez chips the ball narrowly wide of goal. The attack came about as a result of Davies's fine challenge inside his own area to win the ball back off Kone, and one long pass over the top later Hernandez was in. He lofted the ball over Robles but failed to find the target.

We have played the first of four minutes added on time at the end of the game, and Everton are no closer to pulling one back. They just simply haven't been enough this afternoon.

Things perhaps looking up for Steve Bruce's men, then, as Hull kick off 2015 with a victory, although it is all very bleak for the Toffees right now as we enter the final stages.

There we have it, then, as Hull see out the game comfortably in the end to kick off 2015 with a win. They may have turned a corner, although things are looking bad for Roberto Martinez and Co. who have now lost four on the bounce in the Premier League for the first time since 2005.

Well that's all from me in terms of live text coverage, but be sure to stick around on Sports Mole as we bring you player ratings and analysis from the KC Stadium. Thanks for joining!