Geovanni's cross is met by Samba as Rovers cling on with the game entering stoppage time

City are going for it now, but it seems a little late

Ooijer fouls Elano and City earn a free-kick but they need a goal - and quick

Emerton calls Schemichel into action again but it's easy for the City keeper

With time now ticking for City, they're not really offering much going forward

Pedersen tries to chip the City keeper but the blonde-haired youngster gathers it

Dunn's effort from distance is well executed but easy for Schmeichel in the end

It's all happening at Ewood with two sent off, however City want a goal

It's 10 v 10 now and all to play for with over 20 minutes left

Just past the hour mark now and Blackburn still hold the lead

Pedersen's shot is weak and off target

City will sense they have a chance now, with Blackburn down to 10 men

The Turkish star will feel hard done by, especially as Hamann tried to stop the referee sending him off

McCarthy finds Santa Cruz, who does well but Schmeichel comes out to deny him, great link-up play from the front two though

Emerton's cross is met by Petrov as City clear

Pedersen's free-kick hits the wall and City survive again

Closing in on half-time and it's Rovers who are deservedly in front at Ewood

Javier Garrido's cross for City is blasted away by Nelsen

Brett Emerton fouls Mpenza but the resulting free kick taken by Elano is straight at the wall

McCarthy is offside again, but City are struggling at the moment

City haven't really done enough going forward so far and Blackburn are looking fairly comfortable at 1-0

From the corner, the ball cannons first off the post and then the bar as City eventually scramble the ball clear

Stephen Warnock's cross is met by the head of Santa Cruz, but Schmeichel saves to give Rovers a corner

Another Petrov is blocked by Dunn

McCarthy handles and City get a free-kick

After an initial bright opening from the visitors, it's Rovers, with the early goal, in charge at the minute

It's been an action-packed half so far, with both sides looking to attack when possible

David Dunn should have made it 2-0, but his header from Bentley's cross flies over

McCarthy hauls down Micah Richards and that will be a foul

City failed to deal with the corner and Samba's header was well saved by Schmeichel but poacher McCarthy was on hand to score

David Bentley does well out wide for Rovers and David Dunn lashes a shot wide - it's been a bright start to the game

City have been on the front foot so far, backed by a really vocal following from Manchester

Martin Petrov tries his luck from distance for the visitors but Brad Friedel saves

Vedran Corluka is adjudged to be offside as City begin to settle well into the game

Martin Petrov gets a decent-looking cross in for City but Ryan Nelsen defends well and can clear

It's been a lively start but no early chances so far

There's a great atmosphere at Ewood with City fans packing into the away end

Morten Gamst Pedersen breaks forward early on but City do well to shackle him