Everton 2 : Blackburn 3
17/08/2008 4:31 AM
booked after 59 minutes for a foul on Yakubu. Jagielka then saw a header from Arteta's corner flash just wide.
After 64 minutes, Everton surged into the lead when Yakubu's neat ball out to the left sent Arteta racing away - and when the far-post cross arrived, Yakubu was towering above everyone to head home.
The lead lasted two minutes, though as Warnock's angled ball in from the left saw Santa Cruz get goal side of Lescott to ease the ball past Howard.
Roberts forced a fine save from Howard, with Lescott's block stopping Roberts' second attempt. Joseph Yobo was booked for a foul on Roberts, before Ince sent on Keith Treacy in place of Pedersen.
With 11 minutes left, Everton sent on Jose Baxter for his debut in place of Valente - making him the Toffees' youngest ever senior player at 16 years and 196 days old.
Rovers sent on McCarthy for Roberts with seven minutes left, and then Tugay replaced Dunn.
In the last minute of normal time, Baxter out-jumped Robinson at the far post to head over from a Phil Neville cross.
But Blackburn stole the points in the 94th minute when Warnock's free-kick was headed against the post by New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen, with Ooijer tapping home the rebound.
English Premier League
Everton 2 (Arteta 45, Yakubu 64)
Blackburn 3 (Dunn 22, Santa Cruz 66, Oojier 90)