Man City held by Blackburn
Roque Santa Cruz earned his side a valuable point
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Thursday, 27, Dec 2007 10:21
Manchester City failed to break into the top four of the Premier League after being held to a 2-2 draw by Blackburn Rovers.
In-form striker Roque Santa Cruz, who scored to bring his side back to 1-1, grabbed a late equaliser to salvage a point which saw City drop their first home points of the season.
City looked to flying left-winger Martin Petrov to create their chances and the Bulgarian star didn't let them down, having a hand in nearly all of his side's good moves.
He first created a glorious chance for Rolando Bianchi by beautifully crossing the ball into the box, but the Italian striker completely missed the ball in front of an open goal.
The game then exploded to life with three goals in the space of three minutes.
Petrov again flew down the wing and sent another good ball into the box and this time Darius Vassell headed the ball in to give City the lead.
Blackburn only had to wait a minute to get back on level terms as Santa Cruz rose above everyone else to nod the ball home from an inswinging David Bentley free-kick.
The home side regained the lead almost immediately as Petrov again caused damaged down the wing and lifted the ball into the box, and Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen directed the ball into his own net.
City slowed the game down and could have sealed the win in the second-half as a majestic 25-yard strike from Brazilian playmaker Elano drifted inches wide.
With only eight minutes left on the clock, City were made to pay for their failure to finish off the game as Blackburn equalised.
Santa Cruz again latched onto a Bentley cross to head the ball home and earn his side a point.