Man City 1 Rovers 1

[Alan75]

Rovers extended their unbeaten run to 3 games with a 1-1 draw away against Manchester City that pulled them off the bottom of the league table.

More over Rovers’ success was as a result of their first penalty in 52 league games.

Colin’s match comments summed up the afternoon when he stated.

It was another of those games that we have played under Mark Hughes where the result didn't quite match the performance. We played some good football in defence, midfield & attack but never quite did enough to grab the three points. A draw was a fair result to be honest.

City's goal just before half time, came from a Shaun Wright-Philip's low hard cross from the by-line which was one of those which is really hard to defend against. Antoine Siberski stormed in and was at the right place at the right time to smash it past Brad.

At half time Rovers brought on Matt Jansen for Stead, however despite a spirited fight back Rovers couldn’t find that cutting edge up front to get an equaliser until Mill’s brought down Dickov as the wee scot raced into the box. Whilst the full-back took an early bath for his professional foul, Dickov stepped up and fired home Rovers first penalty in over 50 league outings.

As the game came continued Rovers pressurised the 10 man City, and could easily have snatched all 3 points, firstly when substitute David Thompson smacked a speculative long range effort wide and then in the dieing minutes when Dickov sky’d a Jansen knock down over the bar.

Player Ratings by 1864 roverite.

Friedel - 7 one good save nothing else to do

Neill - 7 good game

Johannson - 8 coped with Anelka very well

Todd - 8 ditto

McEveley - 7 one mistake in giving srw too much space allowed him to create the goal for city

Tugay - 6 still gives too many balls away

Emerton - 7 good solid game

Reid - 7 won a lot of ball, good game

Ferguson - 7 solid and controlled the second half

Dickov **9** star man. How can one so small cause so much mayhem ?

Stead - 7 did okay and had chances but clearly got injured.

Jansen - 7 caused problems

Thompson - 7 again caused a differing type of problem and its just great to see him back.

Man City: James, Mills, Distin, Dunne, Jordan, Flood (Reyna 65), Sibierski, Bosvelt, McManaman, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Anelka. Subs Not Used: Fowler, Onuoha, Waterreus, Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Sent Off: Mills (77).

Booked: Jordan.

Goal: Sibierski 45.

Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Johansson, Todd, McEveley, Reid, Ferguson, Tugay (Thompson 71), Emerton, Stead (Jansen 45), Dickov. Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Djorkaeff, Matteo.

Booked: Todd, McEveley, Thompson.

Goal: Dickov 78 pen.

Att: 45,504

Ref: M Clattenburg