BLACKBURN Rovers remain heavily embroiled in the Premier League relegation scrap after a woeful 2-0 defeat at Everton this afternoon.

Second half goals from Leon Osman and a Leighton Baines penalty were enough to sink the visitors, who had just one shot on target.

Rovers are now without a win in 10 games, their worst run since 1986 and are sitting just two points above the relegation zone.

Everton enjoyed most of the dangerous moments before the break although neither goalkeeper were really tested.

Jermaine Beckford squandered a good chance early on, blasting over the bar after a poor defensive header from Jermaine Jones put him clear on goal.

Rovers skipper Chris Samba then bravely blocked Phil Jagileka's goal bound shot before Phil Neville bent a shot over the bar from the edge of the area.

As the half wore on, the visitors looked increasingly solid at the back but struggled to create many chances of their own, with Roque Santa Cruz isolated in attack.

Full debutant Ruben Rochina impressed on the rare moments he received the ball to feet while Chris Samba was leading by example at the back.

Rovers had their first shot of the game on 49 minutes when David Dunn's speculative effort from 20 yards curled harmlessly wide of goal.

Everton continued to look the more dangerous and, after Leighton Baines and Magaye Gueye, had gone close, took the lead on 54 minutes.

Rovers were not alert to a quickly taken corner, leaving Leon Osman all the time he needed to fire home the opener, via a slight deflection off Samba.

No one could could complain about the effort being put in by Rovers but they were being made to look second best by Everton in all areas of the pitch.

Everton doubled their lead on 77 minutes from the penalty spot after Seamus Coleman had been stupidly fouled in the area by a lunging Phil Jones.

Baines stepped up to convert the spot kick leaving the visitors staring at a 10th match without a win.