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Jelavic brace lifts Blues over Rovers

Blackburn Rovers 1 - 3 Everton

Blackburn Rovers provide potentially more competitive Championship opposition for Everton's third pre-season match after a 10-day gap since the game at Accrington. The Blues kick off at 2 pm and those who can't make it to Ewood Park will be able to watch the game live online at the Everton Website. Kick-off is 2 pm BST.

Leighton Baines is rested with a slight knock but will fly off with the team to the US. Blackburn Rovers kicked off, playing toward a packed away section full of Evertonians, with the Blues soon getting into their passing game.

Blackburn won a corrner and Taylor's header was close after he got free of Barkley who went up the other end and fired in Everton's first shot, that Kean got a hand to, forcing a corner.

A couple of slow build-ups both end with lazy Blackburn picking off midfield possession. The linesman was rather keen on waving his offside flag which was a pity as Oviedo looked to have timed his run well. Mirallas then had a good run down the right that won a corner Barkley headed wide.

Kone was getting very little of the ball, as the neat passing moves tended to break down if they got as far as the Blackburn penalty box. Mirallas did swing in a good cross but it was defended away.

The first goal came after a penetrating run that fed Barkley who had a lot to do before he fired it past the keeper but it was defended off the line and Mirallas fired it back in to see Grant Handley steer it into the Blackburn net. A bit srappyt but good Everton pressure forced the end result.

Mirallas then took a very good free-kick that Kean saved well, Barkley was well up for taking shots, won another corner that Jagielka headed wide, The long ball from the back had not been completely eliminated with Howard still keen on the big hoof.

Mirallas was taking all the set-pieces, and won a good one himself in the danger area that he curled over the wall but past the post. It was good to see Barkley heavily involved and always wanting the ball but, if anything he would hold onto it for one touch too many.

Kone finally took a shot from outside the area but did not connect well and dragged it wide. He then went on a very strong run, he drove his shot, an odd-looking toe-poke, past Kean but it smacked off the bar then off the keeper and out for a corner to finish the half.

Lots of changes of course at the break. Everton Mk 2 attacked form the start, Osman trying to fire through a crowd, and Naismith lashing one over the bar.

A nice move down the right saw Coleman set up Naismith who's shot was deflected behind. From the corner, Jelavic timed his jump at the near post to plant a perfect header past Kean for a good second goal that roused the travelling hoard from their torpor.

Pienaar tried a shot with Osman and Naismith doing a lot of good feed work, Pienaar then feeding Jelavice who tried to chip the keeper but it bobbled up and over. Osman tried a shot but it was one of his piss weak ones. Heitinga seemed similarly afflicted, a horrible cross-filed ball to no-one.

Coleman showed some wonderful skill and determination to jink past defenders and then clip a perfect set-up for Jelavic but his header was saved well by Kean. Another fantastic move involving Coleman down the right sets up Jelavic who fired straight at the keeper then followed up with a better shot, picking his place and scoring Everton's third.

Oviedo was floored on the corner of the box, Pienaar clipped it well to the far post but no-one could get a clean contact and Rovers bundled it away.

Roscina got off a rare shot for the home side as they finally started playing in the last 5 minutes, giving John Stones some testing times, and Joel looked at fault on a high ball in from a corner, complelety missed it, allowing Scott Dan to score with a stooping header behind him.

Goals: Handley (og:25'); Jelavic (53', 75'); Dan (89')

Blackburn Rovers: Kean, Kane, Kilgallon (46' Morris), Hanley (81' Pederson), Lowe, King (64' Rochina), Rhodes (73' Best), Dann (c), Taylor (64' Formica), Marrow (82' Sullivan), Judge (73' Rosado).
' Subs:

Everton: Howard (46' Joel); Hibbert (46' Coleman), Jagielka (46' Stones), Distin (46' Heitinga), Oviedo; Gibson, Fellaini (46' Osman); Mirallas, Barkley (46' Naismath), Pienaar; Kone (45' Jelavic).
Subs not Used: Vellios, Anichebe.

Referee: Graham Salisbury

Quotes or other material sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Reports

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