2009-09-20 Everton – Blackburn Rovers 3-0

Everton picked up their second home win in four days with a comprehensive Barclays Premier League victory over Blackburn.

Louis Saha scored after 22 and 54 minutes and then defender Joseph Yobo grabbed the third for the hosts, punishing poor defending at a corner after the impressive Paul Robinson had denied the France striker a hat-trick goal.

David Moyes' side had endured a slow start to the campaign, seemingly suffering a hangover from last season's FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

But the Toffees appear to be back on track after following Thursday's 4-0 Europa League rout of AEK Athens with another fine win and clean sheet at Goodison Park against a disappointing Rovers side who were looking to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.


While Moyes' worries look to be easing, Rovers boss Sam Allardyce must be seriously concerned now about his side, who have won just one league match all term and were feeble for much of this encounter.

This had been Everton's worst start to a league season since 2004, with only one win in their opening four fixtures prior to this match.

Their intent to correct that unwanted statistic was evident from the outset. First Osman saw a shot on the turn deflected inches wide, and then Steven Pienaar's cross was headed onto the roof of the net by Saha.

But the match deteriorated into a scrappy affair with far too many stoppages and a general lack of ideas and invention.

However, after 22 minutes, Everton were in front. Leighton Baines fired in a free-kick from the left and Saha arrived at the near post to turn the ball past Robinson.

Blackburn responded with a couple of headers from Christopher Samba and a twisting run and shot from Dunn which was held by Tim Howard.

Robinson saved well from Pienaar, and then watched a Marouane Fellaini drive fly wide after a quick Everton break.

Rovers sent on Ryan Nelsen for Gael Givet in the centre of defence at the break, with teenager David Hoilett replacing Morten Gamst Pedersen on the left after 50 minutes.

But it was Everton who extended their lead soon after. Fellaini's cross sailed in from the right and Saha got above Pascal Chimbonda with ease to send his header wide of Robinson's dive.



The former Tottenham goalkeeper then needed to save superbly to keep out an Osman drive, but Everton soon got their third.

Baines' corner from the right after 58 minutes hit Nelsen and fell invitingly for Yobo to fire in from a couple of yards out.

Allardyce opted to give Jason Roberts some support up front just after the hour, sending on Croatian striker Nicola Kalinic in place of Salgado.

There was some fight still left in the visitors, El-Hadji Diouf cautioned for a foul on Fellaini and Hoilett seeing a low drive blocked by Howard.

Howard was at last called into action to save from Dunn and Diouf, while Everton sent on Jo to replace Saha with 16 minutes left.

Next on was Tony Hibbert in place of Tim Cahill, with Heitinga moving into central midfield.

Teenager Gosling took over from Osman with nine minutes left, by which time Everton were well on their way to a comfortable three points.