Everton failed to start a season on a high note yet again as a Tim Howard blunder gifted Blackburn an opening day victory at Ewood Park.
The American spilled a fundamental catch in the 14th minute to allow Nikola Kalinic an easy tap in to win the game.
Everton, sporting their new fluorescent pink away strips, haven't won their opening fixture for three years and despite being tipped for a stronger season than ever this term, have started slowly yet again.
Blackburn's Martin Olsson went close as early as the tird minute after being put through by Morten Gamst Pedersen. The Swede could only loft the ball over both the onrushing Howard and the crossbar.
Everton were lifted by an unfortunate injury to Blackburn's David Dunn, who looked a disgruntled figure as he left the field, but were then hanging their heads after Howard's error.
They began to pose more of a threat with some patient build-up and Tim Cahill had their first shot on target, forcing Paul Robinson into a full stretched save.
Robinson, who retired from international football this week, almost gifted the Toffees an equalizer, fumbling the ball himself as the pinks attacked with increasing intensity.
David Moyes's side began the second-half as slowly as the first and teenager Phil Jones looked increasingly dangerous for Rovers. The 18-year-old, who made his England Under-21 debut against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, looks an exciting prospect.
Enough was enough for Moyes by the hour mark as he introduced summer signing Jermaine Beckford, formerly of Leeds, for Leon Osman.
Osman and Mikael Arteta were part of the problem for the Merseysiders as they were largely wasteful. Beckford on the other hand looked like a breath of fresh air, causing problems with channeling runs.
He was not the only fresh face to make an impact, however, as Blackburn's loan signing from Manchester United - Mame Biram Diouf - showed off his electrifying pace after replacing the goalscorer Kalinic.
He was involved in a number of intelligent moves as Blackburn pressed to seal the game off but was denied by Howard trying to redeem his earlier blunder.
Everton almost leveled and stole a point at the death, but Robinson palmed away Phil Jagielka's stinging effort, ensuring Blackburn got their Premier League campaign off to a winning start.