Pellegrini shows the FA Cup respect
There was never any danger of Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini making wholesale changes for the FA Cup third-round clash at Ewood Park. Despite Sergio Aguero’s current injury, the Chilean refused to protect Alvaro Negredo or Edin Dzeko as the pair started against Blackburn Rovers. It was evident that the Citizens manager eyes the FA Cup as a chance to cap a promising start to his reign. Fernandinho and David Silva manned the midfield, whilst Matija Natasic and Joleon Lescott have plenty of experience. It was no surprise that City largely dominated the Championship side. It was movement of Dzeko and Negredo which created the opener as the Bosnian’s header found his unmarked Spanish team-mate. Negredo make no mistake. However, Pellegrini did pay the price for starting Costel Pantilimon ahead of Joe Hart after the Romanian’s error allowed Rovers to level. Pellegrini undermined the competition’s standing in his eyes when he introduced Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas and Pablo Zabaleta following the leveller.
Cairney earns admirers
Much of the pre-match discussion focused on Jordan Rhodes and his uncertain Rovers future. The Blackburn forward was not afforded the chance to shine against the Premier League’s cream of the crop amid reported interest from Crystal Palace. It allowed Tom Cairney to sparkle in the heart of Blackburn’s midfield – and he looked at ease despite the presence of Fernandinho and James Milner. Cairney signed a permanent deal with Rovers on Thursday after a loan spell from Hull City and Steve Bruce may have allowed a gem to leave from under their noses. The 22-year-old has been in fine form, and he was elegant on the ball and had an eye for a pass as he looked to release his full-backs down the wing. It was his corner which found Rudy Gestede and resulted in Scott Dann’s equaliser. And the Scotland Under-21 international had a chance to cap a starring performance in the closing moments of the cup tie but curled his effort narrowly wide.
Negredo – Early contender for signing of the season?
The January transfer window may have opened earlier this week, but there’s been little activity in the top-flight so far. It’s a tough time to find value in the market but Pellegrini managed to do just that when he managed to prise Negredo to the Citizens in a £15m deal this summer. The 28-year-old had netted 14 goals in 27 appearances for City prior to this FA Cup clash. For many coming from the warmer climes of the Mediterranean and South America, a cold cup tie at a Championship side could prove unappealing, but Negredo was a key protagonist in the third-round clash. He was alert to Dzeko’s header to fire a volley past Paul Robinson on the stroke of half-time after a flurry of half chances in the first half at Ewood Park. Despite Grant Hanley’s uncompromising defensive style, Negredo continued to be a thorn in Blackburn’s side after the break, too. If Negredo can help fire the Citizens to Premier League and FA Cup glory, then the former Sevilla man could well claim the crown of signing of the season.
Hart’s City prospects boosted by a Pants display
Pellegrini has recently restored Hart to his starting line-up after handing Pantilimon a run of top-flight games between the sticks for the Citizens in the autumn. The England international’s return to favour meant Pantilimon was brought in for this FA Cup clash as his deputy – and the Romanian failed to trouble Hart’s status as first-choice after a error-ridden display. The City No2 was duly punished when he parried Gestede’s header, which had power but was straight down Pantilimon’s throat, into the path of Rovers skipper Dann. It was clear that Pantilimon was short on confidence and was fortunate not to concede a penalty when he raced off his line and clattered Josh King as he cleared a loose ball in his area. Hart can breath a sigh of relief after his colleague’s FA Cup woes.