London: Last season’s beaten FA Cup finalists Manchester City tasted fresh disappointment in the competition on Saturday when they drew 1-1 at second-tier Blackburn Rovers in the third round.
Stunned by Wigan Athletic in last year’s final, City took the lead at Ewood Park through an Alvaro Negredo goal on the stroke of half-time, only for Scott Dann to equalise early in the second period.
City, currently second in the Premier League, also had defender Dedryck Boyata sent off late on for two bookable offences and now face an unwelcome replay against Gary Bowyer’s side.
“I think it was a very close game,” City manager Manuel Pellegrini was quoted as saying.
“They’re a difficult team and they play here with a lot of intensity, so we must decide who continues in the FA Cup at home.”
Pellegrini made seven changes to his starting XI, while former England international Paul Robinson returned in goal for Blackburn after spending almost 12 months out due to a blood clot on his lung.
The visitors enjoyed the best of the first half but had to wait until the 45th minute to go ahead, with Negredo volleying home at the back post after Edin Dzeko headed on David Silva’s left-wing corner.
Solskjaer’s rein begins with win
Solskjaer’s rein begins with win
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a memorable start to his Cardiff City managerial career on Saturday as his side fought back to beat Newcastle United 2-1 in the FA Cup.
Newcastle were leading the third-round tie 1-0 through a goal by Papiss Cisse and looked in control when Solskjaer sent on substitutes Fraizer Campbell and Craig Noone mid-way through the second half at St James’ Park.
The two new arrivals swiftly transformed the tie with the goals that inflicted another early FA Cup exit on Newcastle, who have fallen at the first hurdle three times in the last four seasons.
It was a surprise success for Solskjaer as his side had been second-best for much of the game.
With Cardiff hovering only one point above the Premier League relegation zone, their new manager made seven changes when selecting his team for the first time. He appeared to believe that the tie primarily offered an opportunity for him to scrutinise some of the players who have been on the fringes of the team under his predecessor.
