Paul Ince started his Blackburn career with a win as the Rovers secured a hard fought 3-2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Blackburn had taken the lead through David Dunn midway through the first half but goals from Mikel Arteta and Ayegbeni Yakubu saw Everton jump into the lead just past the hour mark. Roque Santa Cruz pulled Blackburn level just minutes later while an injury time goal by Andre Ooijer handed all three points to the visiting side.

Blackburn dominated the possession for much of the first half with Morten Gamst Pedersen and Santa Cruz going close to scoring the opening goal. The visitors took a deserved lead in the 22nd minute when Dunn raced past Phil Jagielka before slotting the ball past a helpless Tim Howard.

After spending much of the first half inside their own half, Everton finally equalized in the dying minutes of the first half when Arteta's curling free kick slipped past Paul Robinson and into the goal. The hosts stepped up the pressure in the second half and were rewarded in the 64th minute when Yakubu rose high to head home Arteta's brilliant cross from the left flank.

However the home crowd's joy was short lived as Blackburn struck back immediately through Santa Cruz to pull themselves back on level terms two minutes later. With time running out it looked as if both the teams will be sharing the points only for Ooijer to send the visiting fans into frenzy as he slotted home the rebound after Nelson had headed Warnock's free kick against the post.