IN FORM Roque Santa Cruz scored a controversial equaliser six minutes from time to rob Manchester City of a 10th successive home league win.
The Paraguayan hitman headed his second goal of the game to equalise for a second time as Mark Hughes' side earned a 2-2 draw.
But his strike was shrouded in controversy after the referee's assistant first ruled it out for offside.
After conferring with referee Howard Webb, the goal was eventually allowed to stand - much to the fury of City's players and the home crowd.
The flag was initially raised because David Dunn was standing in an offside position when attempting to flick-on David Bentley's cross.
The midfielder failed to make contact and Santa Cruz stooped to power his header past Joe Hart at the near post.
City claimed Dunn's attempt to make contact meant he was interfering with play, but Webb waved their protests away.
It was the second time Santa had drawn Rovers level - taking just a minute to cancel out Darius Vassell's header on 27 minutes.
City though hit back almost as quickly, restoring their lead on the half-hour mark courtesy of a Ryan Nelson own goal following good work from Martin Petrov.
Petrov was a constant thorn in Blackburn's side for the majority of the match as the visitors clearly missed the absent Steven Warnock at right back.
The Bulgarian terrorised Hughes' defence, laying on a golden chance for Bianchi early in the match.
The in-form Italian only needed to make contact to steer the ball into the open net, but failed to make a connection from all of three yards to let Blackburn off the hook.
Petrov, though, soon had Rovers on the back foot again, standing a cross up to the back post for Vassell to head home on 27 minutes.
City's fans had barely finished celebrating when Santa Cruz got in front of everyone to flick a header past Hart at the near post almost immediately.
But the visitors' glee was also cut short as Petrov once again powered down the left, firing a cross towards Bianchi that Nelson pushed into his own net.
It was 54 years since City had last won 10 consecutive league games at home and they could have had the points secured early in the second half had Bianchi made connection with another glorious cross from Petrov.
Elano also had the home crowed out of their seats when teeing up a volley from the edge of the area that went narrowly wide.
Vassell had another chance to break away, but was driven too wide, to leave Blackburn in with a chance of spoiling the party.
And Santa Cruz duly obliged late on to head home his seventh goal in four games and end Sven-Goran Eriksson’s impeccable Premier League record at Eastlands.
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Jack Thorley Timperley (27/12/2007 at 22:02)
Bristol Blue, Bristol (27/12/2007 at 22:04)
ExpatBlue, Mandurah, WA (27/12/2007 at 22:09)
and as for Bianchi... (poster looks forward to the choice of MOM ) Onuoha had quite a good game but (poster is insisting in putting forward his negative views but you dont want to hear them do yo as your head is right up your.. (Eds views have been deleted))
CTID
bubba, cleethorpes (27/12/2007 at 22:10)
ExpatBlue, Mandurah, WA (27/12/2007 at 22:13)
Petrov was on fire But..(Dont even try it) .. Barn door with a Banjo.
CTID
Cookie, Droylsden (27/12/2007 at 22:13)
The Pope, Rome (27/12/2007 at 22:13)
That linesman has to be questioned by the FA. He says he put the flag up too early then changed his mind!!
What!??
D Dunn was a mile offside when crossed and went for the ball that was crossed therefore in ACTIVE play.
Simple.
When Dunn was interviewed on SS he said he didn't see it! Then quickly chnaged subjest. Then Mark Hughes said he applauded the linesman for being strong enough to change his mind!
If he was in our boat he'd have been spitting nails - he went mental cos they didn't get a foul in the 2nd half.
That said if Bianchi had scored when he had then chance then we would have had the game wrapped up by h-t.
The team selection was a canny one by Sven and it gave Fenandes and Corluka to show what they can do in mid.
I thought Corluka was brillliant in Hamanns role - maybe his place in the future, but we will need to get a better right back than Onouha - he always looks like Bambi to me.
Also showed that we need a capable front man.
STill this may give the team a determination see off Liverpool.
And that my friends is the true 6 pointer.
Blue Arab (27/12/2007 at 22:14)
Ste (27/12/2007 at 22:16)
He never holds the ball up. Loses it virtually everytime it goes to him and hence we lose possession. His runs are not clever enough and he has no pace.
Get rid of him/Mpenza and Samaras and get some decent strikers in. That is ultimately what will cost us this season. Samba must have thought he was playing a pub player.
That miss was an absolute Joke and cost us dearly.
Also what has happended to our defending? We lose two goals from set pieces and looked vulnerable all night. Why was Santa Claus allowed to get two free headers 3 yards from goal? It is now 7 games since we kept a clean sheet.
Sunday is now a massive game and a fully firing Liverpool will win easily if we play like that again!
Roll on Castillo, Bojinov and whoever else we might buy and lets hope we address these issues quickly or we will be heading down that table very quickly!
I accept that one draw out of ten with 9 wins has been a fantastic start but I want glory now that we are halfway there. Unfortunately I fear the worst based on our last 5 or 6 games and I am sure I am not the only one.
Svens mums friend (27/12/2007 at 22:19)
Well done linesman who changed your mind! For once.....!? I cannot recall I've seen that happen under similar circumstances actually. Also, does this mean ref's are gone start changing their minds when it's a controversial decision made? When players and managers protesting? Every time there is a hint of a question? Will England be able to reply that Euro game when Sol C was......F**k!
On top of that SantaQruz Man of the match??? Did anyone notice Petrov? Good thing is, if there are any justice in the world we'll beat Liverpool on Sunday.
C'mon Citi!!!!!!
Howard, Perth, Oz (27/12/2007 at 22:22)
sven is god, stretford (27/12/2007 at 22:26)
rossendale blue (27/12/2007 at 22:28)
jonesy, Lancaster (27/12/2007 at 22:30)
bbcity Caboolture Australia (27/12/2007 at 22:33)
trueblue, manchester (27/12/2007 at 22:36)
Blue (27/12/2007 at 22:37)
For the first time, i wanted u to win coz i think u deserve to be on Number 4.
All the best against Liverpool who almost drew with derby.
Nitram, Middleton (27/12/2007 at 22:39)
What I am annoyed about is two things. Firstly, and most frustrating, the "old" style City has not been eradicated yet. Petrov simply unstoppable, we should have bombarded a pathetic Blackburn and churned them up in the mincer by half time. But no, good old City have to bring their fans to enamel-grinding annoyance by sitting on their lead, inviting a team that clearly must concentrate their fitness efforts on strengthening their neck muscles to take home a share of the spoils. We have been doing this for the last thirty plus years!! SVEN - PLEASE TEACH THEM THAT THE BEST FORM OF DEFENCE, WHEN YOU HAVE GIFTED FRONT PLAYERS, IS ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK!! Please teach them between now and Sunday!!
Secondly, I would like to know why, for the last thirty plus years, City have been unable to defend high balls. Every time we play a team of uncompromising muscle-men, we come unstuck. Perhaps the defensive coaches might ask for a manual on how to defend high balls from the New Year sales.
What on earth were City playing at in that second half, completely over-run in a midfield area that acted as a launch pad for Blackburn's attacks?
Why did we keep Vassell on when we had Giovanni on the bench? The former Villa man reminds me of Anelka. He rarely seems enthusiastic. If he had the pace to run at players and take them on, he would probably be dangerous. Perhaps one to off-load in the January transfer window.
It's amazing, I suppose, that I am so annoyed at succumbing to this type of opposition once again when witnessing such excellent quality in the first half. Last year we would have been delighted with a point!!
gazzo manchester of course, manchester of course (27/12/2007 at 22:40)
blue moon risin (27/12/2007 at 22:47)
g1lly, droylsden (27/12/2007 at 22:48)
what has happened to elano?
has his head been turned by inter cause he just looks disinterested. we threw 2 points away tonite and put allour eggs in the basket for the scousers.
Weasel (not McKay), Stockport (27/12/2007 at 22:57)
For those who are congratulating Ball on his perfomances, I agree. However, he is looking better than Garrido because Dunne is now playing left centre half (has been for the last 3 games) and not Richards. Dunne is correctly sweeping behind Ball should he need to. Richards was failing to sweep behind Garrido hence why Garrido was having stinkers. Having said that I think Ball is deserving of his chance.
stuart malcolm (27/12/2007 at 22:59)
EVO, SOMERSET (27/12/2007 at 22:59)
We're having an amazing season....we're in 5th place in the Prem, it's beyond our wildest dreams after what happened last season. WAKE UP YOU BLUES FANS.
Stop moaning about every mortal thing and get behind the boys in blue. Bianchi missed a sitter...so what. Players do it all the time. He had a good game besides. He isn't Santa Cruz and I agree S.Cruz may have been a better signing but Bianchi wants to play for us...plays his heart out and has scored on the few occasions he's had some service. Sven's signings won't all be 100 percent successes BUT whoever he buys and wears the blue shirt should be supported, encouraged and praised IF THAT'S POSSIBLE FROM SOME OF YOU LOT OUT THERE. We got what we deserved tonight, not because Bianchi missed a sitter but because we sat back and settled for 2-1. Blackburn went for the win even after their 'equaliser' and that's what we should be doing, especially at home. I fancy us to beat Liverpool and then we can get really excited when a few new faces arrive in January.
This is an amazing time for City so don't spoil it...ENJOY IT!!!!
Ain't no time for the Somerset Blues.
newone (27/12/2007 at 23:19)