Eriksson: we’ll bounce back
A goal from Benni McCarthy in the 13th minute was enough to give Blackburn victory at rain lashed Ewood Park.
That crucial strike came on the back of a defeat by Arsenal after three straight wins under the former England boss, but Eriksson is not too concerned at the moment.
He said: “The future will be good. I am not worried about that. I am quite confident in the players I have. You can feel this is a good football team.”
Yet despite playing some neat football, City failed to ask that many questions of Rovers goalkeeperBrad Friedel.
Eriksson said: “We created too few chances.
“We were not good at that. I am disappointed we did not do better. We should not have lost this match.
“We have to be stronger in the last third of the field.
“That’s why I brought on (Emile) Mpenza for (Michael) Johnson.”
McCarthy scored his first goal of the campaign after amassing 24 in all competitions last season.
He found the target from close range after Christopher Samba and Roque Santa Cruz got touches from David Bentley’s corner.
Eriksson was left frustrated at his team’s inability to clear the ball.
He said: “We need to work on a few things and set-pieces is one of them.
“But it is not easy to defend against Blackburn as they have strong strikers with good technique.”
Both sides went down to 10 men in the second half of a rousing encounter. Tugay of Blackburn and City skipper Richard Dunne were both dismissed.
Yet it was never a dirty match – just competitive between two teams 40 miles apart.
Blackburn are now unbeaten in 14 matches stretching back to last season and manager Mark Hughes said: “We played extremely well.
“It was an excellent performance and we are in good shape.
“I do not think City have faced a team of such a high intensity like us.
“We were strong and energetic. So many players could have got man of the match.”
Meanwhile midfielder Robbie Savage was given the all-clear after a scan on his injured leg revealed there was no damage.
Did You Know: Blackburn Rovers are unbeaten in their last eight top-flight clashes with City.
Did You Know: This game was City’s 100th north-west derby in the Premier League, winning 24 , drawing 27 and losing 49.
City have failed to score in seven of their 10 Premier League visits to Ewood Park.
Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Savage (Kerimoglu 17), Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz (Derbyshire 86), McCarthy (Ooijer 63).
Schmeichel, Corluka, Richards, Dunne, Garrido, Ireland (Onuoha 70), Johnson (Mpenza 32), Hamann, Petrov (Geovanni 76), Elano, Bianchi.
Mike Dean (Wirral).
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