Brazilian duo Robinho and Elano on song for Manchester City

02 May 2009 18:01
A less vaunted South American, Ecuador's Felipe Caicedo, scored the first of three goals in 18 minutes that all but assured City's third successive Premier League victory before half-time. Keith Andrews replied for Blackburn, who still need at least one win to confirm survival. [LNB]Hughes' ambition is to qualify for the new Europa League. "We're very much in the mix for seventh spot," the City manager said. "We took a while to get a foothold but once we got the ball down and played, we were always going to create chances." The latest incumbent at Ewood Park, Sam Allardyce, claimed Blackburn were "comfortable" before conceding "two stupid goals". Now, he added, he needed to "get everyone fit" and beat Portsmouth next weekend. [LNB] Related ArticlesTelegraph player raterSport on TVPremier League actionRound-up: Chelsea and Arsenal on fire as West Brom slide towards the dropPremier League Round-up: Tottenham increase pressure on Newcastle while WBA also slipKevin Nolan confident Newcastle can surviveAs Blackburn's manager, Hughes had maintained their status as City's bogey team; yesterday's defeat was their first in 10 top-flight visits stretching back to 1993. Once Paul Robinson's goal fell, however, Rovers collapsed, with little to offer other than the long ball to makeshift striker Chris Samba. [LNB]Vincent Kompany supplied the vital assist on City's opening two goals. For the first, which followed Andre Ooijer's weak clearance from a corner, the Belgian's neat footwork set up Nedum Onuoha for a shot he scuffed to Caicedo, who turned the ball in from three yards. Kompany then rose on the edge of the 18-yard box to meet a cross by Elano, and when his header came back to him off a defender he shielded the ball towards Robinho. A first-time shot flashed past Robinson from 16 yards, the £32.5 million attacker's 15th goal of a staccato season. [LNB]Before the break, a grounded Gael Givet stuck out a hand to stop Stephen Ireland's cross. Bafflingly, indignant Blackburn players besieged referee Mike Dean, who raised three yellow cards before Elano placed the spot-kick to Robinson's left as the keeper dived right. [LNB]Midway through the second half, with City's pace slackening, Onuoha brought down Morten Gamst Pedersen. Shay Given parried El Hadji Diouf's penalty before Andrews scrambled in the loose ball, though the goal failed to inspire a Blackburn revival. [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph