Jonathan Stead's goals last season saved Blackburn from relegation from the Premiership, and his first of this campaign could well have the same end product.

The England Under-21 striker arrived last term from Huddersfield and hit six goals in 13 tension-packed matches to keep Blackburn in the top flight.

He has not been as prolific this season, but the one he struck to secure victory at Goodison Park midway through the second half could be equally priceless come the end of the season.

The result gives Liverpool a lifeline in the race for the fourth Champions League spot - with the two teams shaping up in a fortnight at Anfield.

Everton were unchanged after last weekend's 3-1 win at Aston Villa - their best performance of the campaign - while Blackburn were without the injured Robbie Savage and had David Thompson, Andy Todd, Steven Reid and Garry Flitcroft returning to the starting line-up.

And the game certainly lived up to its billing as a physical showdown - with plenty of set-pieces and chances at a premium.

FA Cup quarter-finalists Blackburn had two early opportunities when Morten Gamst Pedersen's long throw was flicked on by Steven Reid and kicked away from the goalmouth by Alessandro Pistone.

Then Nils-Eric Johansson sent another header into the danger area and Paul Dickov flung himself at the ball, got a connection, but was flattened by Nigel Martyn for his troubles.

Dickov was in the wars again soon after and he was eventually helped from the field with a leg injury, with Stead taking over.

The next to leave the action was Mikel Arteta, following a foul by Aaron Mokoena. Touchline treatment eventually saw the Spaniard restored to the action, but only for 10 more minutes before he limped off to be replaced by Duncan Ferguson.

Blackburn had been man-marking Everton's midfield, and Everton now opted for a 4-4-2 formation.

But there were still few chances, although Lee Carsley curled a 25-yard free-kick inches wide after Marcus Bent had been fouled.

It was surprising that the first booking took 36 minutes in coming, considering what had been going on before.

David Weir was cautioned for a two-footed challenge on Reid, who had launched himself in similar fashion.

A minute later Everton had the only genuine first half chance and should have been ahead when Martyn's long kick was flicked on by Ferguson to out Bent clear, only to be thwarted by Brad Friedel 10 yards out.

Everton increased their tempo in the second period, but it was Blackburn who could have taken the lead when Thompson stabbed inches wide from a Reid flick-on.

Ferguson went close when he rose high to head over from a Leon Osman cross and then when he nodded an Alessandro Pistone cross wide.

Mokoena was booked for throwing the ball away from a free-kick while Carsley was next to be cautioned for a chest high challenge on Pedersen which left the Republic of Ireland international needing most treatment.

Rovers made the decisive breakthrough in 71st minute when Joseph Yobo's headed clearance was knocked back by Mokoena to Reid, who fed Stead.

The striker moved forward a couple of yards before lashing a drive from just inside the box which went across Martyn and just inside his far post.

Stead was soon booked for a foul on Pistone, before Everton took off the Italian full-back and sent on James McFadden as they stepped up the efforts to salvage something from the game.

The danger was that they would be caught out at the back, and when Thompson scampered away down the channel Pistone had been defending, he wasted the effort by driving wide from 12 yards.

Cahill was next into the book for a foul on Reid, before Stead turned Weir to fire in a low shot which Martyn stopped at the second attempt.

But Everton were mounting their customary last-ditch charge and Osman hooked just wide after Rovers failed to clear yet another free-kick.

Friedel blocked another Osman effort with two minutes to go - but Everton fell away and slumped to their fifth home defeat of the season, one which could be the most costly.

Teams

Everton Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Yobo, Pistone (McFadden 76), Carsley, Osman, Cahill, Arteta (Ferguson 24), Kilbane, Bent.

Subs Not Used: Wright, Stubbs, Plessis.

Booked: Weir, Carsley, Cahill.

Blackburn Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Johansson, Mokoena, Reid, Flitcroft, Thompson, Pedersen, Dickov (Stead 14).

Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Short, Tugay, Gallagher.

Booked: Mokoena, Stead.

Goals: Stead 71.

Att: 32,406

Ref: P Dowd (Staffordshire).