Manchester City have a miserable record against Blackburn and they slumped to another defeat against the Ewood Park outfit 1-0.

The last time they tasted victory against Blackburn was in August 2003 and for all their slick approach play they rarely troubled the well marshalled Rovers rearguard.

City even had a ten minute spell in the second half when they had a man advantage following the sending off of Tugay. But they failed to make this count and shortly afterwards Richard Dunne was also dismissed to even up the contest.

A failure to clear a Blackburn corner cost the visitors dear in the 12th minute. Benni McCarthy was allowed to turn and fire home from close range to settle this encounter and dent City's encouraging start to the season.

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson was disappointed that despite all their possession they failed to create many chances.

"We started very well and passed the ball around, but over the ninety minutes we created too few chances; we looked more beautiful than dangerous.

"That is a bad combination if football, you need to make shots and create chances. We had great difficulty in the last third to keep the ball or to make anything.

"We became a little bit better in the second half but we must also learn to defend better against their good deliveries and at set pieces and they have big strong guys.

"I'm disappointed we lost today but that's what happens if you don't create chances. But the future looks good and I'm not worried about this."