Blackburn 4 City 2

September 17, 2006

CITY missed a host of chances as they allowed the home side to pick up their first win of the season.

Things started badly for the Blues as Trevor Sinclair headed a Morten Gamst Pedersen free-kick into his own net.

Joey Barton sidefooted the visitors level but another Pedersen free-kick restored Blackburn's advantage.

An own goal at the other end for Andre Oojer's drew City level but Benni McCarthy tapped in Rovers' third and Paul Gallacher made it four.

City showed their attacking intentions within seconds of the kick-off, with a Sinclair shot being tipped round the post by Brad Friedel.

Dickov smashed a shot wide from 18 yards and then whipped in a cross-shot that was comfortably saved by Friedel.

Trabelsi curled a fine shot past the post after good work by the overlapping Micah Richards and Barton then somehow contrived to shoot over from the 12 yards after being teed up by Richards.

But Stuart Pearce's side were made to pay for their poor finishing when Pedersen whipped in a left-footed free-kick from the right-hand side of the box and Sinclair headed it past the helpless Nicky Weaver.

But Rovers failed to respond to their good fortune. Lucas Neill had to nod a Barton free-kick off the line and Barton then shot straight at Friedel after racing through on goal.

Finally City did get on the scoresheet when a lovely lay-back by Corradi and a glorious first-time pass from Dickov let in Barton who took his time before stroking the ball past Friedel.

Pedersen put Rovers ahead again, when another vicious inswinging free-kick from the right eluded everyone and left Weaver rooted to the spot for the second time.

But almost from the kick-off Corradi broke clear on the right after a neat passing move and his cross was deflected in by the unfortunate Oojer as he ran back towards goal.

Rovers started the second-half like a team who had been on the end of Mark Hughes tongue-lashing at half-time.

The ineffective Francis Jeffers and Tugay came off and Shabani Nonda and the busy Aaron Mokoena bought fresh energy to Blackburn's play.

With Rovers on top, Richard Dunne lost concentration from a throw-in allowing Nonda to play in the impressive Pedersen.

The Norwegian got to the byline and his cross was tapped in by McCarthy - his third goal in six games for Rovers.

Richards almost drew City level late on but headed over from six yards and Rovers substitute Paul Gallgher ensured the points stayed at Ewood Park when he coolly side-footed in after a good run and cross from Brett Emerton.

What are City's chances of survival this season? Have your say.

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Andy, France (17/09/2006 at 17:25)

Same old story, lots of chances, little to show. I honestly think Pearce will go if we get beat by whu. What is going on at that club?

David, North Manchester (17/09/2006 at 17:29)

City will not survive,their results since last chrismas reflect this.Pearce will take city down if he is left in charge.

mark, bluefield (17/09/2006 at 17:30)

Pearce's last game in charge as city's boss, will be at Chesterfield on Wednesday. That's after we've crashed out on penalties. You can see it happening now. Things have got to change a.s.a.p, and Pearce is quite clearly not cut out for the job. Curbs in Please Wardle, then do us all a favour and sell up. It's the only way forward for this hopeless club. To say i'm peed off is an understatement.

OB1, Transmancunia (17/09/2006 at 17:30)

Didn't go and haven't seen TV highlights yet but this sounds - what's the words? Typical City. Be interesting to hear views of those that were there. Sadly, I'm being to think this could easily be SP's last week in charge.

Sue, Failsworth (17/09/2006 at 17:31)

The M.E.N. are already asking the question about our survival chances, how low have we sunk since Keegan departed?

When you sell your best players and don't replace them, the chances of being relegated are increased. Do you think the board need reminding of this?

niki, bulgaria (17/09/2006 at 17:32)

camon city against loses game.sp if not win game against westham must go.where is city team spirit for win camon boys

Pie in the Sky, Manchester (17/09/2006 at 17:35)

I think it's going to be a long hard season and unless Wardle and co put their hands in their pockets, in January, we'll be in the bottom three come April and May.

BlueDom, Bournemouth (17/09/2006 at 17:40)

We a relegation fodder already.

MATT, BURNAGE (17/09/2006 at 17:42)

PEARCE OUT!! SHAMBLES

a, Cheshire (17/09/2006 at 17:47)

I expect Stuart Pearce will be gone within a week if the board want the club to survive in the Premiership. If they don't they will stick with him.
If Pearce does go then who do we get?
I've been watching Manchester City since I was a small boy in the 1950's.In all that time the managers brought in who were 'winners' can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
When will this club ever wake up and appoint a Manager who has a strategy to win?
and I don't include the likes of Curbishley in this category.

Ian, Bristol (17/09/2006 at 17:50)

While pearce is the manager? I would have thought that is obvious.

Adrian, Manchester (17/09/2006 at 17:51)

Fantastic club,supporters,stadium,academy and facilities.
Badly managed,no ambition,no strategy.

gb, hg (17/09/2006 at 17:53)

id take 4th bottom now!

Harry Skinters, Sealand (17/09/2006 at 17:59)

2 wins in 15....
LLWDL LLWLLLLLLWLWL

Finances first. Football second.
Well done the Board. You reap what you sow. Wardle out. Mackintosh the bean counter out.

Come back KK. Come back Bernstein.

Ian, Bristol (17/09/2006 at 18:01)

Have a look at the league table guys and gals and get used to it. We are going to have to hope that Sheffield United, Charlton and Watford remain as poor as they are now. Our only scorers are a midfielder and an own goal. That simply ain't good enough.

liz, readish (17/09/2006 at 18:03)

same as the dodo

Harry Skinters, Sealand (17/09/2006 at 18:05)

Sack the Bored.

Bring back Bernstein.

Geoff, Middlewich (17/09/2006 at 18:06)

We are in a bad way, listened to the commentary on radio Manchester and from what Fred Ayre said Blackburn were woeful and we should have been 4 up after 20 mins. If we cannot win games like this we have no chance agains't Spurs and the like. Sounded like Hamman wasn't fit, Treblsi is out for how long? and we have no strike force. We ahve never won under Stuart when the opposition have scored first. Also of course never won in the dreaded Yellow Strip. Season is only weeks old and it looks like a disaster already, unless things change drastically.

Very Blue Cowboy, Dallas, Texas (17/09/2006 at 18:07)

No comment here, just facts. Over the last 19 Premiership games going back from last season.
P 19 W 3 D 1 L 14

This season after 5 games, 3 goals scored 1 from open play, 1 penalty, I o.g.
8 goals conceded.
Logically we either accept relegation now or replace Mr Pearce and Wigley.

stuart malcolm, macclesfield (17/09/2006 at 18:11)

Zero! It was obvious halfway through last season! It's probably the Management more than the the Manager.
Wardle and his cronies have been a total disaster.

With a couple of exceptions the squad are pure dross. Way, way below PL quality.

So - it's down to the Championship - and with Wardle in charge -probably lower.

The whole set up is putrid.

frank clarke's guitar tutor, corner of city dressing room (17/09/2006 at 18:15)

Must start with Sturridge and Samaras. We are only a few games in and looking desperate. For all the fellow blues who shout Dunne's name from the rafters I bet most other Premiership teams wouldn't swap him for their centre half's. Pearce has obviously run out of ideas and the board are not backing him. If Wardle continues with has been bosmans and make do loan deals its time to book your tickets to Hull City and the like.In short the board and management of Manchester City Football Club are not talking their supporters seriously!!!

Blue John, London (17/09/2006 at 18:18)

And so, the end is near......Well, on the plus side we scored a goal from open play at last, but the only other thing of note for us was that nearly all our chances fell to Sincs and Joey. The forwards again were about as threatening as a lemon drizzle cake, and Pearce showed once more that given the choice of an honest toiler or trying something new, and he'll go with the honest toiler everytime. How anyone can keep picking Dickov over Sam Harris, and even Sturridge, and then wonder why we don't win is beyond me. Pearce will be gone very soon, but who will replace him is a complete mystery, as I would be frankly amazed if people with as much savvy as Curbishley or Hitzfeld would be prepared to put their reputations on the line for a Chairman with no money. Sorry, but a lengthy spell in the Nationwide is all that awaits us. And if Bertie Blue Nose and that twit in New Jersey reckon I'm just 'bigging myself up' and 'hoping we fail so I can be proved right', so be it. I love this club, but it's dying on its feet. I just can't believe some people can't see what's in front of their eyes that's all.

simonblue, blackley (17/09/2006 at 18:20)

a defeat at Chesterfield surely will see Pearce go! Wigley and Flowers should go as well.SP has bought very poorly and is now counting the cost.James and Cole got out because they could see the light,yes our club lacks ambition and a MASSIVE clearout or even a takeover now is our only hope.Next weeks attendance will be the moment fans will vote with their feet, 31/32000 maybe less.CRISIS? I THINK SO!!!!!!!!

Stu, Manchester (17/09/2006 at 18:21)

IN THE NAME OF GOD PEARCE, PLEASE JUST GO! AND TAKE WARDLE WITH YOU!

iggy pop, the passenger (17/09/2006 at 18:24)

maybe now some of you idle dreamers will wake up and see what us doomsters have been telling you for the last 6 weeks, although I don't really care either way. What WOULD be nice is if Wardle woke up and saw it. Sad to say I have now lost faith in Pearce's ability to make a silk purse out of the sow's ear he's been handed - this is just beyond his experience and i think he will walk by the end of the month. Wardle better start praying Curbishly will want to come because there's not many decent managers with the ability to keep us up, that would want to come and work for this abysmal, clueless, destructive and inept chairman, who has overseen the biggest disinvestment in any football club apart from Leeds, in living memory. WARDLE OUT: SACK THE BOARD

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