Blackburn manager Mark Hughes was dreaming of FA Cup glory again after his under-strength side left Everton utterly humiliated with a stunning third-round win at Goodison Park.

Hughes, who lifted the famous trophy four times as a player, rested a clutch of key men, but fringe-players such as Matt Derbyshire and Paul Gallagher rose to the challenge in style.

Rookie striker Derbyshire, a lifelong Blackburn fan who initially worked as a coach in the club's community office before signing as a player in a £20,000 move from Great Harwood, continued his rise to prominence with a clinical fifth-minute opener.

Morten Gamst Pedersen then curled in a superb 25-yard free-kick midway through the opening period and the game was effectively over when Gallagher lashed in a superb third six minutes before the break.

Andrew Johnson's 68th-minute penalty sparked faint hopes of an improbable comeback from the crestfallen Merseysiders, but in truth it never looked likely and substitute Benni McCarthy rubbed salt in their wounds with a late fourth.

Hughes' men have now won six of their last seven games and the Blackburn boss has every right to feel quietly confident about a prolonged run in the competition to which he contributed so much during his playing days.

The former Wales striker lifted the FA Cup as a Manchester United player in 1985, 1990 and 1994 before claiming his fourth winners' medal with Chelsea in 1997. How fitting it would be if he were return to the rebuilt Wembley as a manager with his finely-assembled Blackburn side.

On this evidence, Rovers have the talent and the resilience to go all the way - they ruthlessly disposed of Everton without half their first-choice team.

David Bentley's pace and trickery offered Rovers plenty of attacking impetus and his fifth-minute shot from 25 yards was parried by Tim Howard with no visiting player on hand to tuck away the rebound.

Little more than 30 seconds later, though, Blackburn did open the scoring after Andy van der Meyde was dispossessed before Rovers worked the ball quickly out to Pedersen.

The Norwegian was afforded the time and space to hit a fierce left-footed shot from 35 yards which Howard was again unable to hold.

A weak parry fell straight into the path of the onrushing Derbyshire, who stabbed in the rebound from barely a yard out.

Everton's initial response was impressive but a period of sustained pressure, which saw Mikel Arteta's penalty appeals turned down after Pedersen brought him down, amounted to nothing.

Rovers survived and extended their lead in the 21st minute through a delightful free-kick from Pedersen.

Leon Osman's challenge on Bentley 25 yards from goal handed Pedersen the opportunity to curl a superb left-footed strike past Howard into the top corner.

The strike left Everton stunned but Blackburn, no strangers to a physical battle, were clearly up for the fight. They defended like demons as the half wore on and repelled wave after wave of attack.

Rovers were dealt a blow, however, seven minutes before the break when injury forced Zurab Khizanishvilli off.

He was replaced by former Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz, whose arrival was greeted with boos of derision, but moments later the Everton fans fell silent after Blackburn established a three-goal cushion.

Bentley was the architect with a superb flighted pass deep into Everton territory, which Gallagher took on his chest before outfoxing Joseph Yobo with a piece of delightful footwork.

Gallagher turned the Nigerian all too easily and fired a firm low, left-footed strike past Howard to all but seal victory for Blackburn.

Moyes would have doubtless given his players a severe verbal volley at the break, but their initial response after the break was encouraging.

Johnson forced Brad Friedel into his first meaningful save five minutes after the break with a lobbed effort which required the American to tip the ball over for a corner.

Van der Meyde began to see more of the ball but Rovers skipper Andy Todd was an immovable object at the back for the visitors.

However, Everton continued to press and were rewarded in the 68th minute when a clumsy foul by Aaron Mokoena gave them a penalty which Johnson quickly dispatched. It was only his second goal in 16 appearances but fuelled hopes of an improbable comeback.

Moyes threw on young striker James Vaughan in a desperate, last-ditch attempt to pile the pressure on Blackburn in the closing stages.

But they refused to budge and McCarthy's vicious left-footed shot into the top corner gave them a fourth in the final minute as the boos rang out loud and clear from the home supporters.

Teams

Everton Howard, Neville, Yobo (Vaughan 78), Lescott,Nuno Valente (Naysmith 43), Osman, Arteta, Carsley,Van der Meyde, Johnson, Anichebe.

Subs Not Used: Wright, Weir, McFadden.

Booked: Nuno Valente, Carsley.

Goals: Johnson 69 pen.

Blackburn Friedel, Ooijer, Khizanishvili (Henchoz 37), Todd,McEveley, Bentley, Mokoena, Kerimoglu, Pedersen,Gallagher (Emerton 63), Derbyshire (McCarthy 70).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Savage.

Booked: Pedersen, Ooijer, Derbyshire, McCarthy.

Goals: Derbyshire 5, Pedersen 21, Gallagher 38, McCarthy 90.

Att: 24,426

Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).