Blackburn 1, Everton 0: Progress is stalling as Everton crash out

That Robbie Fowler, such a thorn in Everton's side during his time at Liverpool, should provide the assist only rubbed salt into a gaping wound.

With Saturday's Merseyside derby followed by a crucial UEFA Cup clash at Standard Liege next Thursday, this was a dreadful start to a pivotal eight days.

Indeed, Blackburn - who had already won at Goodison on the opening day of the season - could easily won by a greater margin but for some over-elaborate finishing.

For the fifth time in seven games this season, Everton conceded the first goal.

But unlike the recent battling displays against Standard and Hull City, there was to be no reprieve for Everton, only recrimination. And as Moyes admitted afterwards, the jeers that rang out at the final whistle from a disgruntled away end were entirely justified.

If only Everton's play had been as bright at their luminous yellow away kit.

Moyes had publicly feared his team weren't ready for the new campaign, an assertion that is now being given worrying credence.

The drawback of Everton's mad rush to bring in reinforcements before the transfer window, and the subsequent lack of preparation time for the newcomers, has become apparent in the past week.

Eyebrows were raised when Moyes made Marouane Fellaini the club's record signing when splashing out £15million on the Standard Liege midfielder.

At 20-years-old, the Belgian is clearly still learning his trade and, while showing flashes of early promise, it will take time for him to settle in a new team, a new country and a new culture.

That, though, is time Everton don't have right now amid a spell of games that could shape the remainder of their season.

Segundo Castillo also arrived with the intention of shoring up the midfield and signified his intent with a blistering strike against Standard.

But, as at Hull City on Sunday, the Ecuador international was substituted at half-time, hauled off along with Fellaini as Everton struggled to contain the probings of Blackburn's veteran Tugay.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A double change paid off at the KC Stadium, but not even the second-half introduction of Yakubu and Tim Cahill could turn the tide this time.

There seemed almost as many Everton supporters inside a half-empty Ewood Park as home fans, such was the lack of interest among the local population.

Blackburn's line-up reflected the low priority in which the Carling Cup is viewed by many, manager Paul Ince making seven changes of which the most notable saw former Liverpool striker Fowler make his debut in attack.

Moyes, by contrast, regards the competition of greater importance and his was a much stronger selection with Louis Saha handed his first Everton start alongside James Vaughan in attack.

Joleon Lescott regained his position at left-back at the expense of Leighton Baines while, with Mikel Arteta succumbing to the illness that had affected him over the past few days, Jack Rodwell returned.

It's testament to the youngster's versatility that, after beginning the season as a holding midfielder, Moyes had no qualms in employing Rodwell on the right flank. Not bad for a player who many see as a future centre-back, and who ended the game back in more accustomed central midfield role.

But those changes in personnel couldn't alter one worryingly recurring theme, with Everton conceding first again.

Fowler, the boyhood Blue turned Liverpool legend, has assumed arch-villain status with the Goodison faithful for his exploits against their team.

And he didn't waste any time continuing that form with an instrumental part in Blackburn 's winner on 10 minutes.

After a period of sustained Blackburn possession, Olsson, breaking forward from left-back, played the ball in to Fowler and then raced on to a perfectly-weighted return pass before holding off Phil Neville and slotting beyond Tim Howard.

The goal was just reward for a bright start from the hosts, and their lead could easily have been doubled soon after.

Lescott was alert to challenge Matt Derbyshire as the striker sought to meet a dangerous low Keith Treacy cross before Fowler's pass released Treacy to unleash a powerful cross-shot that a stretching Howard parried with enough strength to evade the approaching Derbyshire. However, once Castillo's shot was deflected wide and Saha headed the resultant Leon Osman corner off target at the far post, Everton became a greater threat.

Rodwell was the source of their next two chances. First, his right-footed cross was headed wide by Phil Jagielka, and then a delivery with his other foot was nodded agonisingly off target by Fellaini.

Despite Moyes's half-time reshuffle, it was Blackburn who missed a gilt-edged chance to double their lead on 58 minutes, Jagielka's loose header inadvertently playing Derbyshire clean through but the striker was too casual in his finish, lifting the ball over Howard and wide of the Everton goal.

Everton had their best chance to level on 70 minutes when Vaughan's driven cross was nodded back across goal by Lescott but a stretching Cahill couldn't guide his header on target.

Vaughan had a goal chalked off five minutes later following an infringement on Blackburn's substitute goalkeeper Jason Brown - who had replaced calf injury victim Paul Robinson early on - while Fowler saw a delicate chip float harmlessly over.

The small matter of a Merseyside derby now awaits on Saturday. Moyes knows matters must improve - and quickly.