With Mark Hughes making his return to Ewood Park, the match between Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City was anticipated to be a highly charged encounter, and wasnt it. BLackburn made one change to their line up, with Tugay replacing the injured David Dunn.
The match got of on a cracking pace. Both teams trying to penetrate the opponents defence, with an early chance falling to Robinho, spraying his shot wide. Rovers were in control early though. Gamst and Emerton were penetrating on the wings, however Emertons finaly delivery wasnt of his usual standard.
Both teams had convincing shouts for a penalty. A poorly struck Emerton free kick was parried by Ireland in the wall, whilst a dodgy tackle in the Rovers box brought down Caciedo, with referee Howard Webb waving play on both times.
City’s best chance of the half fell to Robinho, who embaressingly headed wide. A fast counterattack fown Caciedo on the left flank, who in turn whipped in a delightful cross. Unmarked on the far post, Robinho’s glancing headed sprayed wide. Roberts was proving to be a handful up front, constantly holding up the ball and feeding it to the Rovers midfield or Benni Mc.
Midway through the half, a clumsy tackle by Tugay found the first yellow card of the afternoon. The half appeared to trickle of until the dying stages. Brett Emerton whipped in a poor cross which found Jason Roberts. He backheeled through the City defence, and Benni Mc pounced, burying it into the bottom right corner. 1-0 Rovers Half time.
No changed were made at the break. ROvers continued to pressure early. However, the early chances fell to City. A glancing header from Shaun Wright Phillips struck the post, with the ball falling out to Ireland who’s strike went wide of the far post. ANother penalty shout to City, with Emerton bringing down ELano in the box, not given.
Tugay made way for Aaron Mokoena in central midfield. The game started opening up, but the chance came in the 84th minute for Rovers. Samba heads on a free kick, finding Roberts at the back post, who looped his header into the top left corner. Rovers 2-0.
This was not the end though…… SLoppy marking in the box allowed City back into the game. A cross from the left flank found Sturridge unmarked, whose delightful left foot volley found the bottom right corner of the goal. Rovers tried to tick the clock down, but it got worse in the 94th minute. Robinho was left unmarked on the far left post, a delightful throughball from Sturridge found him, beating Robinson one on one. 2-2
Rovers were devestated, Roberts was shacking his head, Nelsen and Gamst were on the floor. City celebrated, the crowd was stunned
2-2 at Ewood Park
Devestating
Guys, you can ask Bombom, i was speaking to him on MSN throughout the game. I was devestated. Game finished at 5am local time, its 5 pm local time here, and i have not had a minutes sleep. It was like being kicked on the balls. 2-0 up 5 minutes to go, and we blew it. Credit to City, but comon lads, 3 points were in the bag
Catch 22- Jason Roberts
Great finish from Roberts, his play was awesome, but in saying that, he did have several chances. THe guy cant score one on ones, but his reading of the play and holding of the ball is fantastic. Do we persist and hope he gets 1 in every now and then, or do we get Derbs in
