Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 0 Manchester City 1: Dzeko has Mancini's men Edin for Champions League
If Manchester City are to turn a season of great promise into one that delivers tangible reward, we can expect them to do it the hard way. [LNB]Already in their first major final since 1981 after the FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United, City came to East Lancashire seeking the victory that would consolidate their hold on the fourth Champions League spot. [LNB]But despite facing a team on their worst League run since 1986, Roberto Mancini's team put their massed ranks of travelling supporters through the wringer before a first Barclays Premier League goal from Bosnia centre forward Edin Dzeko edged them to victory with 15 minutes left.[LNB] Worth the wait: Edin Dzeko fired his first Premier League goal for City[LNB] [LNB]Dzeko's fifth City goal came far too long after his January transfer for everyone's liking. Nevertheless,it could be so important that it makes his ?27million transfer fee worthwhile all on its own. [LNB]City are four points clear of Tottenham, their rivals for fourth place. The teams meet at Eastlands onMay 10 for what could be a repeat of the Champions League 'play-off ' that Tottenham won a year ago.[LNB]Crucially, though, City now have the opportunity to go into that game with some daylight betweenthemselves and their London rivals. [LNB] The best things come to those who wait: Dzeko breaks the deadlock at Ewood Park[LNB][LNB]Mancini's team face West Ham at home on Sunday and travel to Everton a week later. [LNB]If they can win those two, they will be halfway to where Mancini wanted to be when this season began. Placed in that context it is easy to see why Dzeko's goal assumed such importance.[LNB]This had not been a particularly impressive City performance. They began very well and could havebeen two goals up in 15 minutes. [LNB]However, by the time Dzeko scored they had the look of a team who had lost their way a little. [LNB] [LNB] Terrace hero: Dzeko receives the plaudits from the Manchester City faithful[LNB]Blackburn had found a way into the game by half-time and had continued to improve in the second period. Howgrateful Mancini will be, then, that he chose to send on Dzeko for the largely ineffectualAdam Johnson with a little over a quarter-of-an-hour left. [LNB]Such has been Dzeko's poor form in the league that Mancini will have made the switch more in hope than expectation. [LNB]But when Blackburn defender Phil Jones could only half-clear David Silva's cross-shot, Dzeko lashed the ball inside the near post from 10 yards. [LNB]Certainly Blackburn manager Steve Kean was upset about it and it was hard to blame him. [LNB] Over the wall: Mario Balotelli fires in a free-kick[LNB][LNB]MATCH FACTS BLACKBURN ROVERS (4-1-3-2): Robinson 7; Salgado 7, Samba 7, P Jones 8, Givet 6 (Diouf 85min); J Jones 7; Emerton 6, Dunn 7 (Rochina 63, 6), Olsson 6; Benjani 7 (Kalinic 71, 6), Roberts 7. Subs not used:Bunn, Formica, Pedersen, Hanley. Booked: J Jones, Emerton.MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3): Hart 6; Zabaleta 6, Kompany 7, Lescott 6, Kolarov 6; Y Toure 7, De Jong 6, Barry 6; Silva 8 (Boyata 90), Balotelli 5 (Vieira 84), A Johnson 6 (Dzeko 72, 7). Subs not used: Taylor, Milner, Wright-Phillips, Jo. Booked: Barry, De Jong, Balotelli.Scorer: Dzeko 75.Man of the match: David Silva.Referee: Andre Marriner 6.Attendance: 23,529.[LNB]Nevertheless, City will be delightedto have edged such a tight game. Perhaps last season this might have been one Mancini's team would have lost. [LNB][LNB]Early on in the evening it all lookedas though it was going to be rather straightforward for City. The excellent Silva struck the bar in the third minute, while Gareth Barry saw a header cleared from the line by Michel Salgado. [LNB]Balotelli brought a save from Robinson with a free-kick, Aleksandar Kolarov belted a long shot just over and it looked only a matter of time before City broke through against a Blackburn team who seemed unable to realise just how importantthis game was for their own season. [LNB]However, Rovers appeared to take some heart from their own early fortune and found their feet by the half-hour mark. [LNB] [LNB] Little magician: Once again, David Silva (right) was the spark behind much of Manchester City's creativity[LNB] [LNB]Kean's team didn't create too many chances in the first half but Chris Samba did head two opportunities wide, while Jason Roberts had a penalty appeal turned down after tangling with City captain Vincent Kompany. [LNB]Into the second half and the tension grew. This was a night when a point was never going to be enough for either team. [LNB]City began positively again as Yaya Toure the hero of the FA Cup win over United brought asave from Robinson with a header before Blackburn defender Martin Olssonslashed a little wildly at a far-post chance after Roberts had flicked on a cross from the right. [LNB] Taking a tumble: Rovers defender Phil Jones (left) is felled by Mario Balotelli[LNB]For a team that had started the evening so lamentably, the improvement in Blackburn had beenremarkable and they deserved high praise. [LNB]The team left in such good shape by Sam Allardyce last December may have slipped dramaticallyunder Kean's uncertain stewardship but they did not look ready to give up their Premier League status.[LNB] You talkin' to me? Roberto Mancini (left) and Steve Kean exchange views on the touchline[LNB]Even after Dzeko's goal, Blackburn twice came close to an equaliser. First Olsson worked Hart low to his right with a free-kick and then Jones headed over from six yards.[LNB]At the end, Mancini ventured on to the pitch to punch the air. City's fans, meanwhile, headed homedreaming of Europe.[LNB] Dzeko's big moment was special for me too, says Manchester City boss ManciniManchester City fans taint Blackburn win with chanting about Munich air disasterEwood Park match zone: Balotelli repeats Wembley wink as bookings pile upLIVE: Blackburn 0 Manchester City 1 - all the action from Ewood Park as it happenedBad boy Balotelli notches up ?10k in parking fines and has car impounded 27 timesAll the latest Blackburn Rovers news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Edin Dzeko, Vincent Kompany, Martin Olsson, Adam Johnson, Roberto Mancini, David Silva, Gareth Barry, Jason Roberts, Sam Allardyce Places: London, Bosnia, Europe
