TIM HOWARD admits Everton FC have got “the monkey off our back” after the goalkeeper earned redemption at Ewood Park.

Howard made a string of impressive saves to help David Moyes’s men secure their first Premier League win of the season with an unlikely 1-0 triumph against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The goalkeeper stopped a penalty from Junior Hoilett and saw Mauro Formica hit the post with another before Mikel Arteta stroked home the third spot-kick of the game in stoppage time for the winner.

Howard’s mistake on the opening day of last season at Blackburn ensured defeat for Everton, who then failed to win a league game until October.

And the United States international has expressed relief the Goodison outfit are off the mark after last week’s shock home reverse to Queens Park Rangers.

“This win is vital for our confidence,” said Howard. “Not only the save and the clean sheet but going down the other end and winning. We feel we’ve got the monkey off our back early on and got the three points.

“When you come to Blackburn you always know you are in for a tough game. I made one penalty save and had some luck with the other one, they put some real pressure on us early in the second half, but we rode that wave and saw it out.”

Of the contrast to his last game at Ewood Park, Howard added: “I hate to sound like an English manager, but it ebbs and flows. It all evens itself out.

“After what happened last season – and I don’t even know how that happened, really – I was happy to have a hand in the win.”