It made for a relatively comfortable 45 minutes for the Everton defence, with Howard in danger of freezing over, such was his lack of involvement.

Allardyce demonstrated his tactical acumen by starting with Roque Santa Cruz, the Paraguayan striker Rovers had rejected a £20million bid from Manchester City for in January, on the right of midfield.

Santa Cruz was more involved at the beginning of the second half, his first-time shot from a Stephen Warnock lay-off dragged hurriedly across goal when the forward could have taken another touch.

At the other end, Cahill headed a deflected Pienaar cross at Brown, before Blackburn left-back Gael Givet caught Osman late in an aerial challenge shortly past the hour that brought an angry Moyes racing on to the pitch to protest.

Givet, though, came off worse; booked and then forced off through injury as a result of his unwise tackle.

Blackburn finally roused themselves midway through the second half.

Moments after Warnock’s ridiculously ambitious free-kick struck the crossbar, Jason Roberts was sent clear of the Everton defence but Howard did well to save an admittedly weak effort with his left leg.

Moyes responded by introducing Saha from the bench for a tiring Rodwell, and the Frenchman instantly combined with Jo on the edge of the Rovers penalty area to release Pienaar only for Warnock to make a saving sliding challenge.

Cahill warmed Brown’s palms with a feisty effort from range and Lescott volleyed over from a corner in the final minute, but the draw had been inevitable long before Wiley blew his whistle to put everyone out of their misery.

For Moyes and his players, though, the main event is still to come.