City 2 Blackburn 2

Kevin Keegan had made two surprise changes to the side that lost in midweek, Chris Shuker coming in for injured Darren Huckerby and Mikael Bischoff in for the injured Stevie Howey. There wasn’t the starting place for Goater that had been expected with news of Huckerby’s injury and it is perhaps an indication that the Goat may play his last game for City this season.

City quite frankly were awful. It was perhaps the worst performance at Maine Road since last September’s 4-0 defeat to Wimbledon. Blackburn were two yards ahead of City in everything they did and it came as no surprise when they took the lead on 26 minutes. Marc-Vivien Foe gave the ball away to David Thompson who simply ran unchallenged to the edge of the area before hitting a neat strike beyond Schmeichel and into the corner. The goal didn’t really force City into action and you had to wonder if the news of Richard Dunne’s suspension had affected the players.

The second half was more of the same as Blackburn took control once more. On 54 minutes Wright-Phillips gave the ball away in midfield, the ball found its way to Cole who had all the time in the world to slot the ball through Schmeichel’s legs and give Rovers a 2-0 lead.

Keegan knew changes were needed and brought on Goater and Tiatto for Shuker and Bischoff. The substitutions proved to be inspired, though only the Goater one in the way Keegan intended.

Six minutes after coming on Tiatto committed an act of stupidity that may well see him transfer listed. Thompson had the ball for Rovers when Tiatto went in with a dreadful two footed tackle, the intent was obvious from the North Stand so it came as no surprise to see yet another red card for a City player.

As seems to be the way these days, City galvanised with only ten men whilst Blackburn chose to sit back assuming the game was theirs.

With ten minutes remaining neat interplay between Bernabia and Berkovic created the space for Anelka to put away his fourth goal of the season. City, sensing something from the game, pushed forward, Blackburn wilted. With just 30 seconds of normal time remaining Distin was set free on the left, his pull back found Goater unmarked. The Goats shot was scuffed and deflected twice before slowly looping into the Blackburn goal, the point was won.

All in all a terrible performance barring the last 10 minutes, however the team showed great strength of character to fight back from the performance, the loss of a man and being two goals down. It is the mark of a good team that they can get something out of a poor performance, let’s hope that that is an indication of this City side.

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