Man City grab unlikely draw

Manchester City 2, Blackburn 2 (full-time)

Ten-man Manchester City launched a thrilling comeback to grab an unlikely draw against Blackburn at Maine Road this afternoon.

David Thompson and Andy Cole struck either side of the interval to give Rovers the advantage before Danny Tiatto became the third City player sent off in as many games just six minutes after his arrival as substitute.

Instead of wilting, City gained strength from their adversity. Nicolas Anelka pulled one back and could have had a couple more before substitute Shaun Goater’s shot looped in off Lucas Neill and Brad Friedel in the final minute to snatch a draw.

Anelka should have done better when he headed Wright-Phillips’ cross over with Friedel committed.

At the other end, Yorke was put through by Gillespie but Schmeichel saved with his feet, then from Thompson’s corner, Jensen and his goalkeeper combined to prod Berg’s header onto the crossbar before Jensen hooked clear.

Schmeichel then gathered Thompson’s shot at the second attempt, although the Dane looked to be struggling with injury in the final stages.

With just 11 minutes left, City were handed a lifeline when Benarbia and Berkovic brilliantly combined to feed Anelka.

Friedel got a hand to the Frenchman’s shot but could not prevent it finding the net. The crowd erupted and gained further voice when Thompson ballooned a good chance over at the other end.

Anelka could have levelled but fired over from Wright-Phillips’ pull back, then Foe curled a 20-yard effort wide as Blackburn started to look nervous.

The fire looked to have gone out of City’s resurgence but in the final minute Distin broke down the left, then pulled a cross back to an unmarked Goater, whose shot struck both Neill and Friedel before looping into the net.