ROQUE Santa Cruz fired Blackburn Rovers into a first half lead at Goodison Park.

The Paraguayan international grabbed his third goal of the season in the 16th minute as Rovers looked to record a second successive away win in the Premiership.

And that was the least Mark Hughes' side deserved after an enterprising first half performance which saw them dominate for long spells.

Everton actually made the brighter start and Mikel Arteta tested Brad Friedel's reflexes with an early free kick from the edge of the area.

Friedel then excelled himself with two brilliant blocks in the space of 30 seconds, the first from an Andy Johnson snapshot, then he threw himself to his left to turn aside a thunderous Alan Stubbs free kick.

However, Rovers weathered that early storm before taking the lead in the 16th minute.

Robbie Savage's flick released Morten Gamst Pedersen, who swivelled acrobatically in the area before crashing an overhead kick against the crossbar.

The rebound then dropped perfectly for Santa Cruz and although he failed to make a clean connection with his shot, it still beat Tim Howard at the near post.

After that, it was all Rovers and they had several chances to extend their lead before the break.

Leighton Baines booted a header from Chris Samba off the goalline, then Howard pulled off a wonderful save to keep out a shot from David Dunn that looked destined for the top corner.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Baines, Osman, Carsley, Neville, Arteta, Johnson, McFadden. Subs: Jagielka (for Carsley, 41), Anichebe, Pienaar, Wessels, Lescott Rovers: Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Samba, Warnock, Bentley, Dunn, Savage, Pedersen, McCarthy, Santa Cruz. Subs: Derbyshire, Roberts, Mokoena, Tugay, Brown Referee: Mr M Riley (Leeds)