Everton deserved to be booed, says David Moyes

The 5,000-strong away support vented their anger at the team as they trudged off at the final whistle.

And Moyes admitted: "The fans were entitled to their boos because we didn't play well.

"I don't know what effect that will have on the players, but tonight it was deserved as we didn't play well enough.

"I was as disappointed as the fans as I thought the performance could be better and should have been better.

"But this group of players have done well in the last few seasons so they know what they have to do to get back to that form."

Of the game, Moyes added: "It was disappointing. We had put a strong team out to go through and we didn't do it.

"It wasn't good but you have to give Blackburn credit. I thought they did well and Tugay was the best player on the pitch, particularly in the first half."

New midfield signings Marouane Fellaini and Segundo Castillo were sacrificed at half-time as Moyes sought to alter his tactics in search of an equaliser.

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

And the Goodison manager said: "I think they need time, yes. You have to remember you are speaking about a 20-year-old boy and someone who has only just come into the English game.

"I had to make the changes as Tugay had too much control in midfield and I had to try and do something to change that."

Louis Saha was handed his first start since moving to Everton, and Moyes added: "I thought Louis did some good things. We didn't give him much service but hopefully the 90 minutes will have benefited him."

Everton had a goal disallowed 15 minutes from time when James Vaughan's header was ruled out for an infringement, but Moyes said: "I've not seen it so I can't really comment."

Meanwhile, Blackburn manager Paul Ince praised Robbie Fowler after the former Liverpool striker marked his Rovers debut by creating Olsson's winner.

"It was a satisfying evening, and the only disappointing aspect was that it could have been more," said Ince. "We played some glorious football in the first half.

"We should have put the game to bed, and that meant Everton were always in with a chance.

"Robbie was outstanding.

"He hasn't played since December, and Tugay did very well too.

"The old men did well for us tonight.

"Robbie has been champing at the bit and maybe felt as though he had a point to prove.

"He made a difference tonight with the goal and had some lovely touches."