Match Report

Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers drew for the fourth successive time in the Premiership as an instantly forgettable clash ended goalless.

Neither goalkeeper had a shot to save and neither team deserved to emerge victorious from a dreadful game.

Both sides had no craft or guile as they tried to find their way through the other team's well-drilled defence and they ultimately cancelled each other out.

City clearly missed Claudio Reyna and Joey Barton, their normal first-choice central midfield pairing, as they lacked quality in this key area.

But while City will be disappointed to be held at home, Rovers will be delighted to pick up a point on their travels as their recent upturn in fortunes continued.

Blackburn were without their Australian duo, Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton, who earlier in the week had helped their country qualify for the finals of the World Cup.

Ryan Nelsen and Robbie Savage returned after injury for Rovers while City called up Sun Jihai in the centre of midfield in place of the suspended Barton.

In a low-key opening, the nearest to a goal came in the sixth minute when Dutchman Kiki Musampa's excellent volley from the left of the penalty area flew a couple of yards wide.

The nearest Rovers came to a goal was midway through the first half when Tugay's shot was deflected inches wide.

City defender Richard Dunne lashed a shot into the side-netting following a long throw from Danny Mills as City looked to find a route to goal.

Zurab Khizanishvili became the first player to be booked shortly before half-time following a deliberate handball.

City began the second half more adventurously with Andrew Cole seeing an effort deflected narrowly wide for a corner while the Rovers defence had a number of close escapes as the home side increased the tempo.

City manager Stuart Pearce brought on Trevor Sinclair for Musampa with 20 minutes left, but his introduction failed to produce the spark which was lacking.

The only other talking point in the closing stages concerned Pearce who twice ran on to the pitch to retrieve the ball as he tried to hurry up play as his side searched for a last-gasp winner.

He earned a rebuke from the referee but escaped a red card.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn) - In a dreadful game of few chances, the rugged New Zealand international was outstanding, with the powder-puff City attack repeatedly losing out to the wholehearted Kiwi.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides