If you’re going to be a hardline manager and banish unruly players, then you need to get results. That’s how Fergie gets away with it and Roberto Mancini demonstrated the same trait here.
At half-time it was looking a little different with Aguero having hobbled off and City lacking zip in the final third. If City had failed to make the breakthrough, the whispers would have started as to whether Mancini had done the right thing in banning a player who has won so many games for the blues.
Hart – Dealt excellently with long balls into the box and raged at the defence whenever they threatened to switch off. Deserved the clean sheet. 7
Zabaleta – Not always at his best going forward and rarely tested defensively. If there’s such a thing as a forward’s tackle, then Pablo was guilty of a defender’s dive. 6
Edin Dzeko was the hero after coming off the bench to score the only goal with virtually his first touch against a Blackburn side who ultimately proved stronger opponents than many had anticipated. The result increases the likelihood of a Champions League place with the lead over Spurs extended to four points.
It was no surprise to see Roberto Mancini stick with the side which defeated United, and City made a point of starting the game strongly. We completely dominated possession and David Platt confirmed afterwards that the manager had wanted to avoid a repeat of the opening at Anfield.
Hart – Showed great judgement and handling in dealing with Blackburn’s aerial bombardment. Distribution was another story. 7
Zabaleta – A busy evening, initially surging forward, then keeping track of the energetic Olsen as Rovers sought to hit the channels. 7
After the joy of Wembley it’s back to the reality of Ewood Park and the need to pick up league points for Roberto Mancini’s heroes. With Rovers on a poor run this is possibly the best remaining chance to secure our first away win in the league since Boxing Day.
If we’re to secure a Champions League place, that’s a record which needs to be improved on. There can be no repeat of the Anfield debacle and it’s probably a good thing that the squad have had over a week to refocus on the importance of league matches.
Another disappointing result saw Joe Hart gift Blackburn the lead before Patrick Vieira rolled back the years to start and finish a move for the equaliser. City nearly won it at the death but one point from six leaves us outside the top four places and playing catch-up already.
There were surprises in the starting eleven as Tevez was passed fit to play. The Argentine didn’t look 100% and paced himself by playing in bursts.
Hart – After all the plaudits with England it’s hard to recall Joe making a bigger mistake than that for the opening goal. Nor did he fully command his area against the high balls. A vital one-on-one save in the second half was the only redeeming feature. 5
Richards – Won numerous important defensive headers as Rovers launched balls into the area. Not able to add a great deal to the attack but his solidity at the back was welcome. 6
Roberto Mancini will be desperate for a victory against Rovers as City look to repair the damage done by the last minute defeat at Sunderland. The England six will return buoyed by two victories with the national team, but three points on Saturday is more important in our bid for a Champions League place.
City dropped to ninth after the Sunderland result when a win would have kept them in fourth spot. It will now take a run of victories to climb the table with little room for error before we take on Chelsea at the end of the month.
It was all the fours for City with a quartet of goals, Roberto Mancini’s fourth win, City’s fourth consecutive league win and, most importantly, up to fourth place in the table.
Given – Failed to come out for a couple of balls into the box. It was noticeable that when Kompany was out of position he did come and punch clear, so he is capable of it. He’s still great at keeping the back four on their toes mind. 6
Zabaleta – Misjudged a few balls and picked up a booking for a typical reckless foul. His passing and link up play were improved. 7
