Afternoon Premier League fans and welcome to live coverage of Everton's clash with QPR at Goodison Park. Today really does represent the last throw of the dice for Harry Redknapp's side, with a defeat surely confirming relegation to the Championship despite their recent revival.

QPR suffered a cruel late blow to their fading survival hopes last weekend, conceding a last-gasp equaliser at home to Wigan Athletic. The Hoops are seven points from safety with six games to play, which makes a positive result at Goodison Park this afternoon absolutely imperative.

In contrast Everton are in fine form, thanks to a fantastic reaction to their surprise FA Cup exit to Wigan Athletic last month. David Moyes must be delighted with his team in recent weeks, with a stretched squad going on a four-match unbeaten run which includes successive home wins.

The Toffees are also boosted this afternoon by the return of two key midfielders from suspension. Marouane Fellaini and Steven Pienaar are both back in the squad and pushing for a recall after serving two-match bans.

QPR will definitely be without striker Bobby Zamoroa today as he begins a three-match ban following last week's red card against Wigan Athletic. That means once again the pressure to score goals will fall on Loic Remy, who produced a simply stunning strike against Wigan that improves every time you watch it.

With Remy no doubt leading the line QPR desperately need their creative midfielders to provide support on the counter. On-loan winger Andros Townsend was superb against Wigan, regularly driving his side forward with pace and purpose.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We can confirm that Fellaini and Pienaar are back in the Everton side this afternoon, while Adel Taarabt has been dropped for QPR. A full look at both starting XIs will follow in just a few moments.

EVERTON: Howard, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Coleman, Pienaar, Osman, Gibson, Mirallas, Fellaini, Anichebe

QPR: Cesar, Bosingwa, Samba, Hill, Onouha, Townsend, Granero, Park, Jenas, Hoilett, Remy

Moyes has picked a strong Everton side this afternoon full of attacking intent. Victor Anichebe continues in a lone forward role after an impressive display against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. Fellaini comes in to provide support in an advanced midfield role, flanked by Kevin Mirallas and Pienaar.

Seamus Coleman keeps his place at full-back, with Tony Hibbert not quite ready to return despite a reserve match on Monday to step up his comeback from a calf injury. He partners Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines in a familiar, stable Everton defence.

QPR have made three changes to their lineup this afternoon, with Taarabt and M'Bia paying the price for their mistakes against Wigan. Esteban Granero returns in central midfield and his ability to keep possession under pressure may prove crucial.

Park Ji-Sung also starts in a five-man midfield which looks far more conservative for the Hoops. Armand Traore has also lost his at full-back to Nedum Onuoha. The former Manchester City defender has come off the bench in each of the last two matches and is rewarded with a start this afternoon.

Let's take a look at the options available to both managers on the bench this afternoon. Both managers have limited attacking options available, with Taarabt perhaps the most likely candidate to feature if QPR are chasing the match late on.

EVERTON SUBSTITUTES: Mucha, Heitinga, Oviedo, Jelavic, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Barkley

QPR SUBSTITUTES: Green, Diakite, Taarabt, Mackie, Fabio, Ben Haim, Bothroyd

A quick note from the Everton teamsheet is that Phil Jageilka will continue to wear the captain's armband in the absence of Phil Neville. Moyes confirmed earlier this week that the central defender will become permanent skipper next season, with Neville choosing to seek opportunities away from Merseyside when his contract expires.

Expect a tight encounter this afternoon if the two two side's earlier meeting this season is anything to go by. QPR earned a 1-1 draw against the Toffees at Loftus Road, with both team scoring an own goal. Pienaar also saw red in that match, with the visitors forced to hold on in the closing stages.

QPR badly need a repeat of their shock away win at Goodison last season. In the first away match of that campaign Neil Warnock's side secured a 1-0 win on Merseyside, courtesy of a goal from Tommy Smith.

Things are barley recogniseable at Loftus Road from that team of August 2011. The starting XI at Goodison that day featured forgotten men such as Shaun Derry, Akos Buzsaky, Alejandro Faurlin and Patrick Agyemang.

There is no doubt that Redknapp's introduction has had a positive effect at Loftus Road, but his arrival perhaps came just a month too late to save the beleaguered Hoops. His January signings have also proved largely effective, with players signed during the window scoring nine of their last 12 goals.

Everton on the other hand are a team still confident of securing European football for next season. Their form in the last six games may go a long way towards deciding if Moyes will remain at Goodison next season, with his long-term future still in doubt as questions remain surrounding him signing a new contract.

Moyes seemed like a manager looking towards the future in his pre-match press conference, with the Scot adamant that Everton must rebuild to progress in the future.

Here is what Moyes had to say in full: "I do think there is a big rebuilding job to go on at Everton. With Phil going that is a big piece of the jigsaw which will leave and if we make Europe we are going to have to find a way of bringing in five or six players because of the way your squad is affected.

"We have a few players getting near the end, we have a little bit of an ageing team. We have not invested an awful lot over the last five or six years so we have to now be looking to see how we do that, how we get the team moving forward and get some younger players in as well as developing our own."

QPR boss Redknapp was in rueful mood for much of the week, admitting that his side will suffer from the absence of Zamora. His three-game suspension begins today, with Redknapp declaring that the Hoops will struggle to replace the target man.

He said: "Bobby's sending-off was a rash decision and missing him for three games is a big loss.

"It was a crazy challenge and it's cost us dearly because we lost him for most of that game and for the next three matches. He should be disappointed.

"He's not 100% fit, you can see that, but he's still a good player."

A number of QPR's relegation rivals are in action today, with Aston Villa hosting Fulham as they bid to move clear of the drop zone. Reading could send the Hoops bottom of the table this afternoon if they better QPR's result in a home clash with Liverpool. Wigan are in FA Cup action later this evening, which gives every team at the bottom a chance to steal a march on the Latics.

PREDICTION! Sorry Hoops fans but I cannot see your struggling side picking up a positive result at Goodison Park this afternoon. Everton have big players back and are in fine form, while QPR have the second-worst away record in the division. I'll go for Mirallas to find the net in a 3-1 win for the home side.

All is not lost just yet for QPR but much relies on the form of Remy in attack. The French international has been lethal in his short time at Loftus Road, with that superb sidefoot finish against Wigan underlining his credentials. The problem for the visitors this afternoon is who will provide service for the lone striker, with the pressure to perform that service falling on Park, Hoilett, Townsend and Jenas.

Both sides are out at Goodison, with both sides desperate for three points in pursuit of very different ambitions. QPR emerge in a changed Red strip as Moyes and Redknapp share a warm handshake before kickoff. We are just about ready to get this vital Premier League clash underway, with a minutes silence in memory of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster observed impeccably just before we get underway.

Everton kickoff shooting left to right and immediately send a long ball towards Anichebe. The win a free kick in the opposition half as Pienaar is brought down by Onuoha.

Coleman bursts into the penalty area for Everton, but loses his footing just at the wrong moment. The pitch looks very slick after a torrential downpour this afternoon on Merseyside. The home side have started in confident mood, keeping possession with relative ease.

SHOT! Remy gets his first touch on the counter and bursts out wide, but is eventually helped out of play by composed defending from Coleman. The visitors are quickly back on the break as Townsend bursts forward to find Hoilett, but his curling strike goes just beyond the far post.

Everton quickly attack at the other end and appeal for a penalty after Mirallas and Coleman combined down the right-hand side. Despite tangling with Hill the referee Lee Mason is not convinced and waves away protests from Coleman.

Fellaini wins his first header in the final third to help Everton build a spell of pressure down the left wing. A quick attempt to switch the play results in Jagielka conceding possession, but Remy had drifted offside as he attempted to meet a long through ball.

Baines and Pienaar combine for the first time down the left-hand side to deadly effect. A clever exchange between the pair sees Baines drive into the box and flash a dangerous cross in the six-yard box. Fellaini is at full stretch in the box but fails to make contact and QPR breathe a sigh of relief.

QPR win a corner at the other end thanks to quick break from Hoilett. Granero's delivery is a poor one and allows Everton to clear their lines. With the aerial threat of Samba in the side the visitors must do better from set-piece situations. An end-to-end match continues with Gibson winning a corner kick for Everton after a fine block tackle from Bosingwa.

Cesar just about does enough to gather the corner after nearly being deceived by a flick at the near post from Jagielka. Pienaar and Distin then both give away possession inside a minute as Everton struggle to find fluency in the early stages.

Coleman and Hoilett continue an entertaining battle out wide, with the Everton made just showing enough pace to stop the forward winning a corner kick. Gibson quickly gifts possession back to the visitors with a poor pass inside, but Hill's long ball forward finds Remy in an offside position for the third time already this afternoon.

Anichebe threatens for the first time today as he tries an ambitious flick under pressure from Samba and Hill. The covering central defenders just do enough to clear the danger and launch a break for QPR, but a wasteful cross from Onuoha stops the visitors attacking in numbers.

Park comes close to finding Remy with a clever through ball, but Jagielka reads the danger well and gets in important touch back towards Howard. Everton are just lacking composure in the final third, much to the annoyance of Fellaini as he fails to meet a short pass out wide from Coleman.

Granero has been a calming influence for QPR early on and continues that trend by starting a move that sees Hoilett drive inside before finding Onuoha in space out wide. The full-back whips a cross into the penalty area, but with only Remy in a forward position Howard is able to come out and claim with ease.

Anichebe uses his strength to control in the penalty area and force a strike at goal, which is blocked clear by the covering Samba. The Spaniard had a hand on the forward's shirt but there is no shout for a penalty from the home side. Moyes is a visible presence out on the touchline and looks slightly disappointed with his side at this stage.

SAVE! Remy has just forced a fantastic stop from Tim Howard. His powerful strike looked destined to fall inside the near post, but a fine save from Howard at full stretch tipped the ball just wide for a corner kick. QPR are growing in confidence and quickly win another corner as Hoilett's drive into the penalty area is blocked by Coleman.

Granero's corner is easily dealt with at the near post for Everton, who aim to mount an attack as Coleman drives forward at the other end. He chooses not to find Gibson with a pass inside but eventually wins a corner with the help of Fellaini. Distin and Jagielka come forward for the home side, but Baines sees a curling cross cleared by a combination of touches from Hill and Remy.

QPR are working hard without possession, with Pienaar upset after losing out in successive challenges with Townsned and Hoilett. He eventually wins a free-kick, which sees the home side find Fellaini in the penalty area. He is crowded out by three defenders and Everton must settle for another corner kick.

The home side are just starting to apply pressure as Mirallas sees a volley across goal blocked behind. Samba does just enough to stop Fellaini meeting the resulting corner as the Hoops hang on a touch before the interval.

YELLOW CARD! Bosingwa picks up the game's first caution after being left for dead by Coleman out wide. The full-back was completely deceived by a turn of place and Everton have a free kick in the final third.

MISS! Everton work the free kick short and should really take the lead on the follow-up. Gibson's shot was turned towards Distin and Fellaini, but neither player can make clean contact and divert the ball wide of Cesar's near post.

YELLOW CARD! Fellaini has just picked up his 11th booking of the season after catching Jermaine Jenas with a late tackle in midfield. That looks a slightly harsh decision for the Belgian midfielder, who has only just returned from suspension for persistent cautions.

Townsend's brilliant forward burst is stopped by an equally impressive tackle from Gibson, who timed his sliding challenge to perfection. Everton break as Anichebe tries to find Mirallas, but his through ball has too much power to meet the winger's clever run inside.

Just before the break a slice of fortune goes Everton's way as the home side break the deadlock. The ball fell to Gibson just outside the area and with little on the midfielder decides to shoot. His drive takes a huge deflection of Hill and sails past Cesar into the far corner. QPR failed to clear their lines and have been punished by conceding the opening goal.

QPR attempt to mount a response as Hoilett flies down the right-hand side, but with little support his cross is eventually chased out of play on other side by Townsend. An additional minute of added time sees Baines and Pienaar combine to cross into danger, but despite winning a corner kick the home side don't have enough time left to take.

A tight first 45 minutes has seen Everton nudge ahead thanks to a slightly fortunate opener. QPR must feel the world is against them at this moment, with the visitors showing pace and purpose on the counter but still falling behind.

David Moyes wanted to speak to referee Lee Mason as both sides headed down the tunnel. The Everton boss is clearly still angry about the penalty decision that went against his side early on. Hill did appear to bundle over Coleman in the box, but Mason waved away protests from the home side.

QPR produced the best strike of the first 45 minutes, with a thunderous drive from Remy denied by Howard's important save. The visitors will have to get more men forward in support of the French striker after the break, with Taarabt a viable option from the bench.

Everton have been far from their fluid best early on, with Fellaini and Anichebe largely reduced to contesting headers from long balls over the top. The Toffees have looked most dangerous down the flanks, with Coleman and Baines bombing on to create overlaps that QPR have struggled to contain so far.

SCORE UPDATE! A quick word from the other 3pm kickoffs in the Premier League this afternoon, which has seen sides struggle to break the deadlock. Everton are the only team to score this afternoon, with four other matches still locked at 0-0.

We are just a few moments from resuming at Goodison, with Everton 45 minutes away from giving their Champions League chase a major boost. QPR simply must score in the second half to keep any fleeting hopes of Premier League survival alive, with even a point probably not enough at this stage.

QPR get us underway in the second half, with Redknapp resisting the temptation to make changes at this stage. They are quickly on the attack as Remy uses movement to beat Distin and force Howard to turn his low shot round the post.

OFF THE POST! Anichebe has just come within inches of doubling Everton's advantage from close range. The striker had time and space to pick his spot after controlling a clever cutback from Mirallas, but his curling strike came crashing back off the post and rolled clear of danger. What a chance missed for the powerful striker.

SAVE! Pienaar wins a corner for the home side as they enjoy a sustained spell of pressure. Baines whips a cross towards the far post, which is met by a firm header from Distin. His effort is on target and needs a strong arm from Cesar to guide the ball wide.

YELLOW CARD! Granero becomes the third player booked for a lazy late challenge on the far side, presenting Everton with another good set-piece opportunity. Baines sends in another dangerous cross, but Granero atones for his error by heading clear for a corner kick.

CHANCE! Another chance for the home side goes begging as Cesar fails to deal with a looping corner. He completely misses the delivery, but Jagielka's shot on the follow-up is blocked and QPR survive again.

YELLOW CARD! Townsend follows Granero into the referee's notebook after bringing down Pienaar with a cynical challenge from behind. QPR are really struggling to deal with an all-out assault from the home side early in the second half as Onuoha clears.

A long spell of Everton pressure finally tells and Anichebe has a goal to reward his efficient display in attack. He met a flick-on at the far post from Distin to tuck a neat finish into the top corner on the turn from close range. Rangers really do look dead and buried at this stage after a poor start to the second half.

Bosingwa sums up QPR's frustrations by smashing out for a throw under pressure from two Everton players. Surely Redknapp must make changes or this could be a heavy and demoralising defeat for his side.

YELLOW CARD! Pienaar picks up a yellow card after for smashing into the back of Park as he attempted to stop a rare break for the visitors.

SUBSTITUTION: QPR finally decide to make a positive change, swapping Taarabt for the largely disappointing Park. The inconsistent playmaker has just over 20 minutes to rouse his side into an unlikely comeback.

Mirallas elects to shoot rather than pick out Pienaar in space just outside the penalty area. His low shot is well saved by Cesar, who held firm with Fellaini lurking dangerously in search of a rebound.

A worrying moment for Everton as Anichebe goes down clutching his shoulder after contesting an aerial challenge with Hill. The challenge seemed innocuous enough but the forward initially looks in some discomfort. He eventually returns and looks desperate not to be substituted.

QPR have shown little threat in the second half, with Remy continuing to cut an isolated figure in attack. He eventually comes deep to rob possession from Mirallas, but turns back into trouble as both sides concede possession. Taarabt enjoys his first meaningful involvement to pick out Townsend on the wing, but his shot takes a double deflection and tricks through to Howard.

SUBSTITUTION: Everton quickly attack at the other end through Anichebe, who has a shot well blocked by Hill. Tired legs are allowing the match to open up a touch as QPR swap Granero for Diakite, who returns after a month out injured.

Hoilett wins a corner from Coleman's late deflection out wide, but Fellaini beats Samba in the air to clear with distance and authority. Pienaar races onto the ball and looks the Belgian's late run forward, but just miscues and the chance is quickly gone.

SAVE! Taarabt gives away possession in his own half as Gibson and Coleman drive forward for Everton. Mirallas eventually picks up the ball in space and drives from range with power and pace. Cesar takes no chances with the dipping drive and gets a strong hand up to divert the ball wide.

YELLOW CARD! Gibson gets a deserved yellow card after cynically stopping a burst into the final third from Taarabt with a late lunge. Remy is the next to find space for QPR, but his attempt to catch Howard out with a chip lacks power and is cleared under little pressure.

SAVE! QPR enjoy a spell of sustained pressure in the final third, with the unlikely figure of Onuoha forcing Howard to make a strong save at his near post. Everton choose to make a change as Osman is replaced by Jelavic.

QPR are trying to play through Taarabt, who has certainly has a positive impact since coming on. Hoilett picks up the mantle to drive forward and win a throw-in, but Everton have plenty of cover in defence and stay patient to force a goal kick. QPR have just lacked composure and quality in the final third for much of the afternoon.

Gibson is given time and space 30 yards from goal and elects to shoot. His powerful shot is deflected behind for a corner, which Baines and Mirallas waste after their attempt to take short goes horribly wrong. Both players can afford to smile with their side in complete control.

SUBSTITUTION: Diakite uses his frame to burst out wide and win a corner kick courtesy of a late deflected tackle from Coleman. Everton decide to make a change just before stoppage time as Mirallas is replaced by Naismith.

SHOT! Everton chase a third goal in stoppage time as Anichebe appeals for handball against Samba in the penalty area. Lee Mason tells the home side to get on with it, but QPR are alert and come forward through a combination of Hoilett and Townsend. Neither player has complete control of the ball but eventually find Taarabt, who plays Townsend in to launch a low drive just past the near post.

QPR look for a consolation as Townsend wins a free kick after being brought down by Anichebe. Bosingwa hoists into the area but Samba is quickly penalised for a push and the chance goes begging for the visitors. In the final minute Everton bring Anichebe off to warm reception, replacing the goalscorer with Heitinga.

In the end a comfortable win for Everton to put them just three points behind Tottenham Hotspur in the race for Champions League places. QPR showed fight early on but eventually slipped under pressure and now look doomed at the bottom of the table.

That just about does it for Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary from Goodison Park. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check out full analysis of a big win for the Toffees in around 30 minutes. Good afternoon.