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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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