The Match
Rovers had a corner in the first minute, but Pedersen’s effort went harmlessly behind the goal. Shortly after, Stuart Pearce absent-mindedly wandered into Blackburn’s technical area, and trotted back into his own after a quiet word from the fourth official.
With five minutes on the clock, City had the game’s first chance. Vassell flicked the ball behind him with his head to find Musampa on the left corner of the box, and the Dutchman’s first-time shot with his left foot bobbled just a few yards wide of Friedel’s left hand post.
City had a free kick on eight minutes, after Todd had clambered all over Vassell, but Mills’ shot went straight into the wall and Croft could make nothing of the rebound.
Neither side could impose themselves on the match, but City were alert to a quickly-taken free kick on 17, Stephen Reid’s shot being well blocked by Jordan.
Two minutes later Vassell got a shot on the turn in towards goal, but the ball bobbled slowly wide of the left of the goal.
On 21 minutes Rovers took another free kick quickly, and this time it was Dunne’s turn to be alert as he sneaked in just ahead of Dickov to concede a corner, from which Tugay put in a shot which Mills was able to deflect wide. The visitors made nothing of the subsequent corner.
Rovers kept the ball well for a few minutes, but Distin broke the spell with a superb tackle, but sadly his pass did find a striker and the momentary break of the stranglehold was gone.
City gradually began to get more of the possession, but the final ‘killer’ ball was lacking. The Blues kept probing down the right flank, but Croft was being well-marshalled by the experienced Michael Gray.
And it was the former Sunderland defender who conceded for City’s first corner on 36 minutes, which after a scramble the visitors were able to clear. Seconds later, a Mills throw found Dunne, but his left-footed shot found the side netting.
City had all the pressure now, and it resulted in a free kick from a Khizanishvilli handball. As before, the kick was blocked but the Blues were able to maintain the pressure they had built, but several phases of possession came to nothing before the break.
The Blues began a higher tempo after half time, and the renewed efforts resulted in Vassell just missing out from a great Jordan pass after two minutes, the striker just failing to connect as the ball shot past him.
Two minutes later, Cole whipped in a vicious shot which Todd deflected just wide, and another goal-mouth scramble did not bring the goal that City were striving for.
On 56 minutes great interplay between Cole & Vassell saw the ball go to Mills, who this time took up the crowd’s exhortations to shoot. Sadly he could not recreate his stunning goal against Everton, and the ball flew wide of Friedel’s left post.
The game had finally warmed up, and an Ireland shot on the hour was blocked , with Rovers immediately threatening City, but Jordan saw off the danger.
On 63, the young Irishman found Croft with an incisive pass but the winger could not quite make it to the ball, and took a heavy blow as he collided with Friedel but eventually resumed.
Trevor Sinclair came on for Musampa with 20 minutes to go, his first outing for the first team for over two months, Lee Croft swapping to tthe left flank.
Former City favourite Dickov was booked a minute later for going through the back of Jordan, and seemingly from the referee’s actions for gradually eroding his goodwill over other challenges.
Cole received a yellow card with 10 minutes to go, angrily kicking the ball away after being flagged offside.
It was mostly City now and they wasted an opportunity on 82, Vassell allowing the ball to go past him to Cole, who’s shot was easily blocked by Todd.
Both sides made substitutions with five minutes to go in an effort to find the vital goal.
Savage found his way into the book for a clumsy challenge on Ireland with 88 on the clock, much to the home fans’ predictable delight.
The visitors still pressed for an opening into the four minutes added on, while the home crowd urged the Blues on.
Stuart Pearce was spoken to by the referee for running on and placing the ball for a free kick, this after the ball had been kicked back and forth to the apparant anger of Robbie Savage as he tried to take a free kick. It seemed an over-the-top reaction from referee Atkinson, who of course stopped play to do this after Pearce had been trying to keep the game flowing.
Atkinson blew for time shortly afterwards to end a disappointing game. On balance City had the majority of possession after taking a while to get up to speed, but they failed to convert this into many meaningful chances. On the plus side, the defence looked as solid as ever and the midfield held up well, but they will be looking for a touch more creativity against Liverpool next week.
