Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Man City: Ten-Man Citizens Held In FA Cup

Scott Dann cancelled out Alvaro Negredo's 15th goal of the season as Blackburn Rovers battled back and held 2011 winners Manchester City in the first FA Cup third round tie. Championship club Blackburn will have to meet their Northwest rivals again at the Etihad in ten days' time thanks to a goal from their captain. Dedryck Boyata saw red for City late on. This was something of a slow burner, but Gary Bowyer's Rovers contained the illustrious City names by flooding midfield. A couple of Dann headers from set pieces that went straight at Costel Pantilimon were all the hosts could muster in the opening half hour. Paul Robinson, back in the Blackburn goal after over a year out, had little to do at first. He held a low Fernandinho effort and came smartly off his line to snuff out danger from Negredo's clever flick. David Silva skyed a shot from around the penalty spot ten minutes before half time as City spurned a decent opening. Negredo then went down in the box under the challenge of Tommy Spurr, but the visitors received no penalty. City went ahead on the stroke of half time when Edin Dzeko flicked on a left wing Silva corner to the back post where Negredo fired in unmarked. All Rovers' hard work was undone much to their frustration.

Tempers frayed between teammates Chris Taylor and Grant Hanley when the sides came off at the break. All was forgiven ten minutes into the second half, however, as Blackburn levelled from a corner of their own. Rudy Gestede outmuscled Joleon Lescott and Pantilimon spilled the Frenchman's powerful header straight to Rovers captain Dann, who tapped in. Robinson then parried a Dzeko effort out to Negredo, but the Spanish striker nodded wide with the goal gaping. Both managers made changes. Manuel Pellegrini threw on Yaya Toure whilst Bowyer sacrificed Lee Williamson for the more attack-minded Josh King. Dzeko stung the palms of Robinson with 17 minutes left for City. Pellegrini also introduced Jesus Navas for Negredo and the winger worked Robinson within moments of coming on. Toure then lashed over from inside the box at the end of another spell of concerted City pressure. Bowyer brought on Blackburn top scorer Jordan Rhodes and D. J. Campbell for the last ten minutes as the hosts also sought a winner. Referee Michael Oliver then sent City defender Boyata off before the end for a second booking.

Tom Cairney curled wide late on for Rovers and the ten-man visitors played out a draw, which means a replay next midweek. Bowyer takes great credit for this battling performance.