Pre match
Stuart Pearce makes three changes to his City line-up for today’s FA Cup sponsored by E.On sixth round clash at Ewood Park. In comes Didi Hamann, Jihai Sun and Darius Vassell with Beasley, Samaras and Trabelsi making way as City look to revert to 3-5-2.
The Match
As the players run out to the tune of ‘the final countdown’ the City fans have landed! In scenes reminiscent to May 2000 and that famous 4-1 victory, the Darwen End is rocking ahead of kick off as over 7,500 Blues make themselves heard.
A tense opening 10 minutes saw City edge the early exchanges, forcing three quick corners, but all to no avail.
The first 20 minutes had flown by with much excitement, good City pressure, but little in the way of actual chances. The Blues were clearly undaunted by the task in hand and the home crowd were showing the first signs of discontentment.
That was soon to change, as on 25 minutes Bentley whipped in a fine ball from the right side which Matt Derbyshire got up well to, but he could only head the ball firmly over Weaver’s crossbar.
And two minutes later it got better for the home side as the ball deflected around in the box before falling to Aaron Mokoena to fire past Weaver left footed and put Blackburn 1-0 up against the run of play.
City dug in and didn’t let their heads go down, showing the fighting spirit the Manager had called for before the game. The players on the pitch were taking it literally as three bookings in three minutes followed.
Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen went into the book for a crude block on Vassell. Hamann quickly sought revenge taking McCarthy out close to the right touchline, before goalscorer Mokoena completed the swift trio of yellows five minutes before the break.
Despite their efforts, City are unfortunate to be behind at the break.
HALF TIME: Rovers 1-0 City
Blackburn make the only change at half time with Khizanishvili coming on to replace Rovers’ skipper Nelsen.
Five minutes in to the second period a very dubious offside call robbed City of the chance of an equaliser. Hamann had sent Vassell clear before the flag went up and replays suggested the assistant referee made the wrong call. How that could prove crucial.
And it almost did barely a minute later as Bentley chipped a fine shot from about 25-yards out which had beaten Weaver and luckily for City, hit the bar before coming back out again.
The game had come to life and City carved out a decent chance on 56 minutes. Ball found Ireland down the left channel and he managed to cross the ball in for Corradi who, despite being well policed by Rovers got to the ball, but could only put it wide.
Pearce made his first change after 57 minutes, bringing Beasley on for Jihai to hopefully inject a bit of pace down the wing.
Two quick bookings just after the hour mark took City’s tally to four on the day as Dunne and Richards obstructed their way into Mr Dean’s little black book.
With 21 minutes left Blackburn were reduced to 10 men. Mokoena picking up a second yellow card for hauling down Corradi.
Pedersen was the next name in book for a nasty follow-through on Barton after 73 minutes.
Three minutes later City’s second change came about with Didi Hamann replaced by Samaras, as the Blues had to push for a leveller now.
City’s final substitution with nine minutes left saw Emile Mpenza sent on to try and pull the Blues level.
Unfortunately he, nor the rest of the team could do it, as Blackburn broke down the pitch in injury time to seal the game thanks to Matt Derbyshire.
For all their efforts it’s not to be for City again, defeated at the quarter final stage for the second year running.
FULL TIME: Rovers 2-0 City
