Ten-man Manchester City staged an amazing fight-back to overcome a 2-0 deficit at home to Blackburn Rovers and earn a share of the points. David Thompson and Andy Cole had given Blackburn a deserved lead either side of the half-time break but despite losing Danny Tiatto just six minutes after he arrived on the pitch as a substitute, City clawed their way back into the game when Nicolas Anelka pulled one back and then substitute Shaun Goater was the hero when his effort found the net via Lucas Neill and Brad Friedel in the final minute.
It all began so well for Rovers. Despite having Damien Duff still out injured, they made the brighter start although it was an error by Marc-Vivien Foe on 26 minutes that gifted Rovers their first goal. A misdirected pass from the Cameroon midfielder, under no pressure, went straight to the feet of Thompson and he rifled a thunderous 20-yard strike into the top corner of the net, leaving Peter Schmeichel no chance.
Soon after the interval, Rovers found themselves 2-0 up when Cole grabbed his first goal of the season and again it was a mistake by City that gifted them the goal. A poor pass from Shaun Wright-Phillips was intercepted by Craig Short who found Thompson and he crossed to Cole in the box. The former Manchester United striker took just one touch before firing the ball through the legs of his former United team-mate Schmeichel.
However, that goal came at a price as Cole seemed to injure himself in the subsequent celebrations and he was forced to come off. Rovers were now looking good for a win but it was the sending off of Tiatto that proved the turning point and surprisingly in their favour.
Just six minutes after his arrival on the pitch, he was shown the red card for a dreadful two-footed tackle on Thompson. Despite being a man down and two-goals down, City seemed to thrive on their misfortune as they suddenly awoke from the slumber that engulfed them for most of this game.
With just 11 minutes remaining, Anelka gave City a lifeline when his wonderful shot found the back of the net. Brad Friedel managed to get a hand to the ball but he could only help the powerful effort on its way. Blackburn were now looking more nervous than they had done in the previous 79 minutes and Anelka, Wright-Phillips and Foe all went close to equalising before Goater succeeded on the stroke of full-time. The unmarked substitute fired home Distin's cross but his shot struck both Neill and Friedel before looping into the net.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
