Rovers return to winning ways

Blackburn hauled themselves off the foot of the Premiership with their first victory of the season following a six-goal thriller that ended 4-2 in their favour at Ewood Park.

City have now lost two games in a week, three this season and 12 of their last 15 overall, and the signs are appearing ominous for manager Stuart Pearce.

City should have been out of sight by half-time, only to waste a catalogue of chances before finally being undone by second-half goals from Benni McCarthy and substitute Paul Gallagher.

It is fair to say Rovers were fortunate to head into the dressing room level at 2-2 at the interval. But City's profligacy cost them dear because totally against the run of play Blackburn took the lead when Morten Gamst Pedersen's 25-yard free-kick was deflected in off the head of Sinclair.

After two glaring misses Barton gained his reward. Set up by Bernardo Corradi and Dickov, and faced with a one-on-one situation again with Friedel, Barton scored with a low curled shot.

Rovers' reply was instant, and this time there was no doubt about Pedersen's free-kick, with the left-foot inswinger taking one bounce past a deceived Weaver.

However, it took just 70 seconds for City to level, with a Corradi cross along the six-yard area turned home by Andre Ooijer who was too busy appealing for offside.

It was a piece of quick thinking from Nonda, the on-loan striker from Roma, that gave Blackburn the lead for the third time, in the 66th minute.

His smartly-taken throw found Pedersen and he picked out McCarthy, who sidefooted home from five yards for his third goal in six matches.

McCarthy then made way for substitute Gallagher and it was the latter who then wrapped up the points 90 seconds from time with a sidefoot finish from 12 yards.