Blackburn sink Everton

Jansen rises above the Everton defence to head home

Everton 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
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Everton's hopes of an unlikely place in Europe via the InterToto Cup were dealt a potentially fatal blow by impressive Blackburn Rovers.

Matt Jansen and Andy Cole struck in each half to give Graeme Souness's side a deserved victory and make it a low-key finale to the season at Goodison Park.

Youngster Nick Chadwick gave Everton boss David Moyes hope of a brighter future with an equaliser - his third goal in five games.

We feel that we shouldn't have been down there, but the reality is we haven't done the business at times this season

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness

But Everton gave a dismal display lacking pace, penetration and ideas that brutally underlined the extent of the job Moyes faces.

Souness, in contrast, will have been delighted with Blackburn but puzzled why they left it so long to achieve Premiership safety.

Everton, having finally ensured top-flight status, neded a win to press their claims of an early start to next season in the InterToto.

But their recent defensive problems surfaced again as Blackburn went ahead in the ninth minute.

Everton's David Unsworth battles for possession

Jansen stole in totally unmarked on to David Dunn's cross and beat the uncertain Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard to head home from close range.

It was the catalyst for an impressive first-half performance from Blackburn as they looked the sharper and more cohesive unit.

Youngster Chadwick has made his mark since his introduction, and he was almost on the mark after 12 minutes when he poked narrowly wide after Kevin Campbell miscued Niclas Alexandersson's cross.

Everton defender Alan Stubbs must have feared a red card when he hauled down Jansen as he raced clear, and was relieved when referee Jeff Winter settled for a booking.

It was very disappointing - we were very poor and everybody was a couple of levels below their best

Everton manager David Moyes

Moyes' men were unable to string any attacks together, and it was a rare moment of anxiety for Blackburn goalkeeper Brad Friedel when he was forced into a save from Scot Gemmill after 36 minutes.

Everton improved after the break and they were rewarded with an equaliser after 50 minutes.

Thomas Gravesen's corner was headed on by David Weir and Chadwick cleverly flicked the ball past Friedel from six yards.

But Blackburn continued to pose a threat and it was no surprise when they regained the lead in the 64th minute.

Gerrard failed to hold Damien Duff's volley and Cole was left with the easiest of tasks to score with a header from virtually on the goal-line.

It was no more than Blackburn deserved on a day of disappointment for Everton.

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Everton: Gerrard, Watson, Weir, Stubbs, Pistone, Alexandersson,Gravesen, Gemmill, Unsworth, Campbell, Chadwick. Subs: Radzinski, Blomqvist, Linderoth, Pettinger, Carsley.

Blackburn: Friedel, Taylor, Short, Berg, Unsal, Duff, Flitcroft, Tugay, Dunn, Cole, Jansen. Subs: Hughes, Johansson, Yordi, Gillespie, Kelly.

Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees)