WHEN Mark Hughes made his swoop for Roque Santa Cruz earlier this summer, there were some who questioned the Para-guayan's goalscoring record.

But three goals and four appearances later, those sceptics are now eating large portions of humble pie following a remarkable start to Santa Cruz's career with Blackburn.

Another predatory strike from the former Bayern Munich marksman did much to dispel any lingering doubts about his ability to cut the mustard in the Premier League.

And such is the impact he has made during the first few weeks at his new club, there is already a growing feeling within Rovers' dressing room that he could go on to emulate Benni McCarthy and become another 20-goals-a-season man.

"He's already got three so he's well on the way," said a suitably impressed David Dunn.

"A few people have criticised Roque for his goalscoring record, but he's certainly doing the business for us, and long may it continue.

"I think he's got everything you'd want from a striker. He's big, he's strong, he's powerful, and he's quick, too.

"I'm maybe putting a bit of pressure on him, but he's great to play with and he's already settled in well."

Rovers' supporters have certainly been quick to embrace the 26-year-old, whose early season form has been just as stunning as his sultry looks.

A towering header three minutes into his Premiership debut against Middlesbrough on the opening day of the season was quickly followed by a sublime strike against MyPa-47 in the UEFA Cup.

However, genuine goalscorers also score poachers goals as well, which is why Hughes will have been delighted to see his new number nine keep his hot streak going with a scrappier effort at an emotion-charged Goodison Park.

Playing up front with McCarthy for the first time in a competitive match, Santa Cruz was a handful throughout, and his ability to lead the line gave Rovers a rapier-like quality going forward, particularly in the first half, when they threatened to cut Everton to shreds at times.

There was a real swagger about Rovers during a majestic half hour period after they took the lead, and only a wonderful save from Tim Howard prevented Everton from being sunk without trace.

But the Merseysiders are a resilient mob under David Moyes, and they came back strongly in the second half, eventually fashioning an equaliser for James McFadden in the 78th minute, which they just about deserved on the overall balance of play.

Nevertheless, Hughes was still encouraged by the way his side performed against committed opponents who are likely to be rivals for a top six spot over the next nine months.

After being branded as violent' by Arsene Wenger at the start of the week, Rovers were determined to put on a show for the Setanta cameras, and some of their football was sublime during a spellbinding period in the first half.

Dunn, in particular, was impressive in the centre of midfield, repeatedly carving Everton open with cleverly angled passes.

With Chris Samba in imperious form at the back, and Santa Cruz providing a dangerous outlet up front, confidence coursed through Rovers' veins as they sought the insurance of a second goal.

Unfortunately, it never materialised and McFadden went on to grab an equaliser for Everton, but Hughes still felt his players made a wider point, which was perhaps more important in the grand scheme of things than the one they ended up taking back to Ewood with them.

Aiming a veiled dig at Wenger and his bully-boy jibe, the Rovers boss said: "I think we proved to a lot of people today that that's not what we are all about.

"It was an excellent Premier League game between two fully committed sides, who showed good skill and good ability.

"When there were tackles and people fell over, they got up very quickly again, and I think the fans enjoyed it all the better for that."

Earlier, both sets of fans had bid an emotional farewell to murdered schoolboy Rhys Jones, who was tragically gunned down in Liverpool last week.

The sight of rival bosses Hughes and Moyes standing shoulder to shoulder with Rhys' grieving parents on the touchline before kick-off brought a lump to the throat, but the minute of applause that followed was a moving tribute for the 11-year-old Evertonian.

Moyes' men seemed determined to win the game in the youngster's honour after that, and they certainly started brightly, as Mikel Arteta, Andy Johnson and Alan Stubbs all forced sharp saves out of Brad Friedel during a lively opening quarter of an hour.

But Rovers successfully weathered that storm and then stunned Goodison Park into silence when they grabbed the lead against the run of play in the 15th minute.

Morten Gamst Pedersen's acrobatic overhead kick cannoned back off the crossbar straight to Santa Cruz, who was completely unmarked eight yards out, and although he scuffed his shot, it still found a way past Howard at the near post: 0-1.

After that, Rovers dominated the remainder of the half, and they were unlucky not to extend their lead before the interval, as first Samba had a header kicked off the line by Leighton Baines, then Howard produced a marvellous save at full-stretch to stop a Dunn blockbuster from screaming into the top corner.

Everton cranked up the pressure in the second half and they might have drawn level when Johnson crossed for Phil Jagielka, but the substitute's glancing header drifted wide of the far post.

However, the home side's pressure finally told in the 78th minute.

Santa Cruz could have taken the safety first approach and hacked the ball into the stand when defending deep in his own half, but instead he decided to keep it in and subsequently lost possession to Arteta.

The Spaniard then delivered a cross into the centre, and McFadden darted in front of his marker to steer a low shot inside the base of Friedel's left-hand post: 1-1.

In a frantic finish, Rovers might have snatched a late winner when a Bentley free kick took a wicked deflection, but Howard recovered to tip the ball onto his crossbar, and in the melee that followed, Jason Roberts had a header hacked off the line.

"We are a little bit disappointed we've dropped two points today," added Dunn.

"But I think we showed we are a tough team to play against us, and we all work hard for each other, and if we carry on doing that, then I'm sure we're in for a good season."