Blackburn continued their bright start to the campaign with a deserved 1-0 victory over near neighbours Manchester City.

Rovers have now gone 11 games since their last Premiership defeat and it was Benni McCarthy who scored the only goal of the game in the 12th minute.

The South African's first goal of the season should have been added to as Blackburn created a host of chances against a punchless Manchester City.

Even when both teams were reduced to ten men early in the second half it was Blackburn who looked the likeliest to score.

First to go was Tugay for two bookable offences within the space of three minutes. City defender Richard Dunne followed down the tunnel ten minutes later for similar indiscretions.

The Ewood Park outfit are now 7th in the Premiership and it was a confident performance which delighted Rovers boss Mark Hughes even though he felt the sending offs and four bookings gave a misleading impression of the game.

"I'm a little bit apprehensive that we played very well against a good Manchester City team and I hope that people that were here today will realise it was not a dirty game but an excellent performance from our point of view.

"We are in good shape at the moment; I thought our general play was good and we continue to make life difficult for teams by playing at a high intensity and this was our game plan against City.

"Right through the side anyone of the guys could have walked off with the man of the match award. We looked strong, we looked energetic, and we tried to break with pace.

"We've had a good start and we must make sure we maintain this; it's just a pity the International's break up the momentum but overall we are in decent shape but must not get carried after all it's still early in the season."