Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Everton FC

Aug 27 2011 by Phil Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo

MIKEL ARTETA'S injury-time penalty earned Everton FC their first win of the Premier League season – but the Blues had to survive a pair of spot-kicks themselves in an increasingly wild match at Ewood Park

The Spanish midfielder sent Blackburn Rovers' goalkeeper Paul Robinson the wrong way in added time at the end of the match after Marouane Fellaini had been brought down by Chris Samba in the area.

Everton coming away from Ewood Park with the three points looked unlikely earlier the second half after the home side twice had opportunities from the penalty spot themselves, as well as a host of other chances from open play.

Everton stopper Tim Howard palmed out Junior Hoilett's 47th minute effort before Mauro Formica spurned Rovers' second chance by planting his effort against the post.

Arteta's late winner was made all the more remarkable as it was Blackburn who had posed the greater threat in a second period which far surpassed the opening 45 for entertainment.

Howard did not limit his heroics to Hoilett's penalty, he also produced a vital close range stop to deny Formica with 11 minutes remaining before David Goodwillie clipped the top of the crossbar from six yards out as Steve Kean's men were much improved after the break.

David Dunn was also foiled by the woodwork when his first half effort rebounded off the inside of the post with Howard beaten.

Yet Everton may not have needed Arteta's last-gasp winner had Marouane Fellaini not blazed over the bar midway through the second half.

Leighton Baines did test Robinson with a well struck effort before Fellaini's miss but a mixture of Blackburn's profligacy and Everton's never say die attitude won them the match in the most dramatic of fashion.

BLACKBURN ROVERS (4-4-1-1): Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Givet, Olsson, Emerton, Nzonzi, Dunn (Formica 35), Gamst Pedersen (Petrovic 35), Hoilett, Roberts (Goodwillie 72). Not used: Bunn, Rochina, Hanley, Lowe.

Cautions: Salgado, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Petrovic

EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Arteta, Heitinga (Beckford 85), Fellaini, Barkley (Cahill 53), Osman (Bilyaletdinov 63), Anichebe. Not used: Mucha, Hibbert, Cahill, Vellios, Baxter.

Goals: Arteta (90)

Cautions: Anichebe

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Attendance: 22,826