Costel Pantilimon: Spilled Gestede's header which resulted in the equalizer. Rangy Romania cannot handle things that come down low at him. A costly mistake which detracted for other positives. 4.5/10. Dedryck Boyata: Booked for bringing down King and sent off five minutes before the end for a second yellow when he wiped out Campbell. Galling evidence of how the Belgian has become a fringe player at City in recent years. 3.5/10. Joleon Lescott: Outmuscled by Gestede in build-up to Blackburn's equalizer and adds fuel to those who believe Pellegrini does not fancy him. Lescott has been tipped for a January move. He will have to hope potential suitors weren't watching here. 4/10. Matija Nastasic: Booked for bringing down Henley and dragged into some uncomfortable areas by the grafting Gestede. Always looks better when Kompany partners him. 4.5/10. Gael Clichy: Always supplemented attacks up from left back on a passable performance. Expect Pellegrini to keep rotating Clichy and Kolarov throughout the congested fixture list. 5/10. James Milner: Switched wings with Silva often, but not always effective. Put another shift in and played teammates into promising positions. Milner did ok at Ewood Park, but not better. 5/10. Javi Garcia: Struggled to handle Blackburn's combative midfield because of the man advantage the hosts had. Surprised he wasn't subbed when Toure came on. Offers no credible competition to the Ivorian and Fernandinho partnership, must do better. 4/10. Fernandinho: Low first half effort went straight at Robinson. Mobile in midfield, but outnumbered and stifled a little. Subbed. 5.5/10. David Silva: Blazed over from 12 yards ten minutes before half time, but then put the corner in that led to City's opener. Created openings which teammates spurned. Pellegrini likes him to have a free role and there were flashes of why here. Subbed when his team went down to ten men. 6/10. Alvaro Negredo: Made intelligent runs first half, but seldom found. Clever flick brought Robinson off his line. Thought he had a penalty when hauled down by Spurr. Lost his marker to score the opener. Headed wide at 1-1 when Robinson parried a Dzeko shot to him and the goal at his mercy. Subbed. 6.5/10. Edin Dzeko: Assisted the opening goal. Forced Robinson to parry at 1-1 and later stung the palms of the Rovers keeper. Good in the approach and holdup play today from big Bosnian. 6/10. Subs: Yaya Toure: Given 25 minutes in Fernandinho's place. Lifted one over after muscling his way into the box in trademark fashion. Toure won't be getting much of a rest with so many cup games to come in January. 5.5/10. Jesus Navas: Replaced Negredo for the final 15 minutes and worked Robinson within moments of coming on. Dragged another effort across goal wide on the counter. A livewire for City now after a quiet start to life in England. 5.5/10. Pablo Zabaleta: Brought on to ensure a replay after Boyata was sent off. Rating N/A. Who was your man of the match? Have your say below.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
