Blackburn Rovers 1 - 0 Everton

Olsson wins tie

Updated: September 24, 2008, 10:10 PM UK

Robbie Fowler ended 10 months of frustration by helping Blackburn reach the fourth round of the Carling Cup as they beat Everton 1-0.

The former Liverpool striker marked his debut for the club by setting up the winner for Martin Olsson.

Fowler, 33, arrived on trial in the summer after failing to agree terms to extend his stay with Cardiff.

His enthusiasm for playing again in the Premier League was rewarded when manager Paul Ince handed him a three-month performance-related deal.

• No excuses from Moyes

It already looks money well spent as Fowler played his first 90 minutes since last November following a hip operation.

The only downside for Ince was that goalkeeper Paul Robinson came off with a knock after 13 minutes and to be replaced by Jason Brown.

Blackburn made the breakthrough in the 10th minute with Olsson's first goal for the club.

The left-back played a neat one-two with Fowler before rifling a shot beyond Tim Howard. It was a sweet move that was started by veteran Turkish midfielder Tugay.

Matt Derbyshire then came close to adding a second with Everton looking slightly vulnerable at the back at this stage of the match.

Blackburn kept up the pressure and Keith Treacy scampered forward in the 20th minute, only for Howard to parry his effort to safety.

Everton hit back and Segundo Castillo rattled in a shot that was blocked before Phil Jagielka headed wide after a good cross from Jack Rodwell.

Fowler was seeing a lot of the ball and latched on to a flick from Derbyshire, only to fire wide.

Everton almost drew level in the 33rd minute when Marouane Fellaini got away from his marker and on the end of a cross from Jagielka but headed narrowly wide.

Four minutes later Blackburn launched a swift counter-attack with Carlos Villanueva releasing Derbyshire.

He cut the ball back to Fowler but the striker could not get a good enough touch and the chance was lost.

There was another scare for Everton in the 39th minute when Derbyshire got clear, only to be pulled back as he had strayed offside.

Derbyshire and Fowler were forming a decent partnership and Everton were having to be on their guard.

Fowler then linked up with Villanueva a minute before half-time, only for the winger to send his effort over the crossbar.

Everton manager David Moyes decided to shake things up and brought on Tim Cahill and Ayegbeni Yakubu at the start of the second half for Fellaini and Castillo, who had both been ineffective.

Blackburn poured forward and Villanueva saw his effort blocked by Jagielka in the 56th minute.

A minute later Derbyshire squandered a glorious chance of extending their lead. Clear on goal, he somehow contrived to send his close-range shot wide of the post.

The game was still wide open and Everton looked stronger for the presence of Cahill and Yakubu.

They nearly drew level in the 69th minute but Cahill headed over the crossbar following a cross from Lescott.

Everton eventually found the net in the 75th minute but Vaughan's effort was disallowed for an infringement.

Even though he had not played a full game for 10 months, Fowler looked in good shape.

He tried to chip Howard from the edge of the area but sent his effort wide as Blackburn saw out the game.

No excuses from Moyes

Everton manager David Moyes sympathised with supporters who booed his team off after the Carling Cup defeat by Blackburn.

Everton boss Moyes said: "They were entitled to do that because we did not play well enough. It was deserved. My reaction is whatever the supporters did they were right to do so. The players have done well the last season or two so they know what is needed now.

"It was a disappointing performance. We put a strong team out to go through but unfortunately we did not do enough. But I have to give Blackburn credit. They played well and Tugay was the best player on the pitch.

"He controlled the game, especially in the first half, and we should have played much better.''

James Vaughan did find the net in the second half but his effort was cancelled out because of an infringement.

"I cannot give a judgement as I have not had a chance to see the incident again,'' was Moyes' assessment.

Blackburn went through to the last 16 after Swedish full-back Olsson's first goal for the club.

It came after a neat one-two with former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, who was making his debut for the club.

Fowler played a full 90 minutes for the first time in 10 months after a hip operation while at Cardiff.

Manager Paul Ince was delighted with the 33-year-old's performance and that of veteran midfielder Tugay.

Ince said: "The two old men were different class. Robbie was champing at the bit and keen to prove a point.

"I played him in a slightly deeper role and he did ever so well. He never lost a ball and had a couple of chances.

"He made a difference tonight and showed a lot of lovely touches. He is a natural goalscorer and you do not lose it. The signs are good.''

The only downside for Ince was that goalkeeper Paul Robinson suffered a calf injury and will have a scan to determine the extent of the damage.