Blackburn 0 - 2 Man City

Emmanuel Adebayor struck after only three minutes of his debut to help Manchester City make a winning start to the new Premier League season.

The £25m summer signing lashed in an 18-yard drive to open his City account.

Chris Samba's header was superbly saved by Shay Given, who also denied Benni McCarthy as Rovers responded well.

After the break Given kept out Jason Roberts's header and Robinho's shot was saved by Paul Robinson, before Stephen Ireland slotted in to seal the points.

After City's summer spending spree that brought in five players at a cost of almost £100m, the pressure was on for them to deliver on the pitch from the first whistle.

And that was virtually what they did as Adebayor wasted no time in continuing his great run of form against Rovers that had seen him score eight times against them for his former team Arsenal.

The Togo striker played the ball out wide to Shaun Wright-Phillips and when the winger cut back inside and rolled the ball square invitingly, Adebayor was there to drill home his shot that Robinson could only help into the net.

With Rovers clearly stunned, and their pre-match promise to kick lumps out of their opponents now needing a readjustment, City enjoyed a dominant 10-minute spell.

But once the dust had settled, Rovers hit back and began to run the midfield as Gareth Barry - another City debutant - struggled to cope as the only holding midfielder.

And soon it became clear that for all City's potential in attack - such apparent strength in depth that Carlos Tevez was only on the bench - their problems at the back had not been solved.

Kolo Toure, City's third new boy in their starting line-up, and his central defensive partner Richard Dunne looked less than comfortable under a number of diagonal high balls.

Rovers debutant Steven N'Zonzi had a shot hacked away and Roberts lifted a volley over the bar from 12 yards after Blackburn worked a chance via a bout of head tennis.

Frailties in City's backline were again in evidence when Given and Dunne, and then Given and Toure, just about got away with mix-ups.

Rovers, though, could not take their chances. McCarthy struck a free-kick straight at Given and Samba's header was also kept out by the keeper.

Another well-worked move ended in McCarthy firing straight at Given as big-spending City found themselves firmly on the back foot.

The previously anonymous Robinho then announced his presence on the pitch when his drive from 18 yards was tipped over by Robinson.

Back came Rovers and when Keith Andrews' volley hit Dunne's arm there were loud shouts for a penalty but the referee waved them away.

A spell of driving rain after the break made conditions difficult and neither side could establish any rhythm or keep possession.

In fairness to City, they had also tightened up at the back and were no longer affording Rovers as much space to work in.

But one lapse of concentration almost cost the visitors when an unmarked Roberts headed through a crowd of players and it took another fine stop from Given to keep his side in front.

Shortly after, the enigmatic Robinho almost sealed it for City but his shot was brilliantly diverted by Robinson, who dived low to his right.

It was the last contribution by the Brazilian forward as he made way for Tevez to make his debut.

The Argentine, who joined for £25m in the summer, almost copied his strike partner Adebayor by notching on his debut but once again Robinson was equal to a testing shot.

Before that, Ireland ballooned over after great work by Bellamy who had launched a rapid counter attack.

And McCarthy fizzed over a 20-yard free-kick as Rovers desperately tried to salvage something from the game.

But late on, Ireland broke clear and bided his time before coolly converting at the far post to ensure City started the season - and their new era - with three points and an away victory that is already half the total they managed last season.

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Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce:
"I think it was very harsh," he said. "Our failing today was in the poor quality of our finishing.

"But their goalkeeper Shay Given also made one brilliant save after another and that kept them in the game.

"We should have gone in at half-time in front. In the second half we couldn't quite manage to achieve the same tempo. It is very disappointing."

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes:
"Many people might have been looking to see if we were going to fall flat on our face today and I thought we gave a great response.

"You saw great character from City today. If we continue to play with the character we showed today then we will keep progressing.

"We stood up to the challenge and we showed the qualities we will need."

Good idea. I suggest we start with this

Rovers paid for the early defensive lapse.
After that they dominated the match and were unlucky to find Given in fine form.
The 2-0 scoreline flattered Citeh as the second was the result of Rovers throwing everybody forward to get the equilizer.
We'll be back!

Premier League, pah overrated. The Championship is the way forward

Aye, who needs the premier league, so overrated and too predictable.

lower league football is where the new craze is at

Rovers paid for the early defensive lapse.
After that they dominated the match and were unlucky to find Given in fine form.
The 2-0 scoreline flattered Citeh as the second was the result of Rovers throwing everybody forward to get the equilizer.
We'll be back!

Premier League, pah overrated. The Championship is the way forward

WTF !!!
The Dingles are leading Everton 1-0 at half-time!
The world turned upside-down.

Burnley > Blackburn

The table doesn't lie

Just so you understand what we're dealing with here:
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/...le_from/?ref=mr

FT Liverpool 1-3 Villa

Liverpool only lost twice all last year, they've lost twice this season now.

Rafa out

And Lucas is STILL shite

I'd rather have Nicky Butt.

Babel is also a load of wank.



Thought Johnson was very good again, improved a lot in the last 18 months.

The thing is I just have the impression that if Arsenal had Babel while he'd still be a bit inconsistent, he'd produce some stunning stuff fairly regularly. Just don't think Benitez and Liverpool are the club and manager for him.

I remember saying how we should sign Johnson when Pompey made his loan permanent (he was being linked here) and most people on these boards said he was shite...looks like the player he promised to be back when Chelsea signed him.

The thing is I just have the impression that if Arsenal had Babel while he'd still be a bit inconsistent, he'd produce some stunning stuff fairly regularly. Just don't think Benitez and Liverpool are the club and manager for him.

I remember saying how we should sign Johnson when Pompey made his loan permanent (he was being linked here) and most people on these boards said he was shite...looks like the player he promised to be back when Chelsea signed him.

The thing is I just have the impression that if Arsenal had Babel while he'd still be a bit inconsistent, he'd produce some stunning stuff fairly regularly. Just don't think Benitez and Liverpool are the club and manager for him.

I remember saying how we should sign Johnson when Pompey made his loan permanent (he was being linked here) and most people on these boards said he was shite...looks like the player he promised to be back when Chelsea signed him.

Wouldn't be if he'd signed for us.

To be fair losing to us was expected, I mean we did it twice last season and we're now on title winning form and I wouldn't be surprised if we won every cup.

Rovers paid for the early defensive lapse.
After that they dominated the match and were unlucky to find Given in fine form.
The 2-0 scoreline flattered Citeh as the second was the result of Rovers throwing everybody forward to get the equilizer.
We'll be back in the championship soon enough!

Fixed

Don't you just hate it when people edit your posts.

This is a very good example of why they call Spurs fans 'deluded'.

It was late, he's catching up on sleep now. Maybe when he wakes up he'll realise what a silly little tool he was being.

They might get far in the cups, but win the league? Not a chance

Still look like you're going to struggle to score.

I thought Arsenal were really unlucky yesterday. I like the way Wenger has set them up, really suits them and I think they have as good a chance as Man U and Liverpool when it comes to winning the league. Would make Chelsea slight favourites. I'd be worried if I was a Man U fan, think they looked like a team full of effort but no real magic and not the creativity they've had in the last 3 seasons. Comparing the midfield and attack of both teams yesterday I think man for man Arsenal's is definitely better (I'd say Van Persie is better than Rooney too though I expect most will disagree). Arshavin, what a guy. Vermaelen looks a good buy.

Modric's injury means he'll be a huge loss for Spurs. Such a gifted player, incredible ability to create space for himself and others with his passes. I think they'll struggle in their next two games without him.

Man City, thought they never really got near top gear, but they look like they could be scintillating going forward. They're going to be interesting to watch!

Agree with all of that apart from about Man City. Thought they couldn't get into top gear because a very poor team matched them. Adebayor looks botherd for a change, but from what I've seen of them so far I don't think they'll get near the top 4.

I disagree. End of the day they have played 3 and won 3. I haven't really seen the first two games but they aren't going to click straight away but I think there was enough shown against Palace the other night and glimses against Pompey that if they keep their heads they'll be knocking on the door, though I expect the normal top 4.