Everton put on a professional display to secure their fourth win in five Premier League games and all but condemn a hapless QPR to Championship football next season.
A rather drab first half was briefly livened up when Darron Gibson's long-range drive deflected in off Clint Hill, for the Irishman's first goal of the season.
The strike was certainly fortunate, although Everton then grasped hold of the game after half-time, upping the intensity, and deservedly doubled their lead when Victor Anichebe hooked in a Sylvain Distin header.
It was a largely forgettable spectacle but it crucially provided the Toffees with another valuable three points which enables them to travel to the Emirates on Tuesday still with a chance of a top-four finish.
Win, and Champions League football becomes a genuine possibility. Lose, and the season is likely to fizzle out for the men in blue.
An assured display from Howard, who was secure with his handling and came out to claim or divert most of QPR's deliveries into the box.
Coleman was his side's main presence going forward for the first half-hour, although he did not produce his normal quota of end product, finding a man with just one cross and not creating any chances.
He was solid enough at the back, managing to keep Junior Hoilett quiet throughout the contest, but it was a less effective performance compared to recent weeks.
At left-back, Baines produced a typically productive display, fashioning out five of his side's 12 chances while proving a constant threat to Nedum Onouha going forward.
Some of his forward bursts gave Andros Townsend room to exploit the space behind him, but Baines' regular forays into QPR territory were generally well covered by Gibson or Distin.
After deflecting an early shot wide, that was perhaps easier to hit the target with, Distin made amends by notching up his first assist of the season for Anichebe's goal.
An effective enough game from Jagielka, who wasn't overly exerted by a QPR side that seemed resigned to their pending relegation.
The England man was perhaps a little too relaxed and sloppy with his passing, but mopped up at the back when needed and was customarily ruthless in ground challenges.
Osman quietly went about his business in midfield, disrupting QPR's breaks with five interceptions, although he struggled to increase his side's overall tempo.
He was strangely uninvolved with his own side's passing game, making just 27 accurate passes, his third lowest contribution of the season, and a curious return against such a lowly opponent.
For the seventh time in eight games, Gibson was his side's top passer, enforcing his side's approach from midfield, regularly transferring the play with an accurate diagonal pass.
He also made a couple of timely interceptions and deserved his goal, although he certainly benefited from a fortuitous deviation off Hill.
It was a scratchy game from Mirallas, who barely featured in to opening exchanges. He was dispossessed a frustrating six times, almost double as much as any other player and was perhaps guilty of trying a little too much.
He still managed to create two chances and almost registered a third stunning strike in three consecutive games, as his rather audacious effort from out wide drew a fine save from Julio Cesar.
Pienaar was slightly below par on his return to the side, fractionally off the pace with his timing and anticipation and usually only created one chance for his side.
He was only midfielder to pass at below 80-percent accuracy (78-percent) and was especially wayward in the final third, with just 65-percent of his passes finding a man. Will need to be far more effective at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Fellaini was another quiet performer in this game, although he was still tidy enough when involved. He was more accurate than any other player with his passing (86-percent) and won several long balls for his side with some exceptional chest-control.
Unusually, the Belgian was almost irrelevant in the final third, unable to create a chance or unleash a shot, and he was extremely harshly booked in the context of the game. In truth, he wasn't needed to be his imperious, all-action best, but Everton will hope he is storing that up for Tuesday.
Once again, Anichebe was arguably his side's top performer, rounding off some impressive hold-up play with a goal to cap off his input.
He won most physical confrontations with a similarly powerful centre-back, in Chris Samba, and continues to show improvement in all facets of his game.
All three players emerged from the bench in the final 10 minutes, providing a breather for Osman, Mirallas and Anichebe, although none had much of a chance to make an impact, touching the ball just seven times between them.
Via: [Live -] Online - TV] Zalgiris - Banga - Lithuanian A Lyga Soccer League
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