Man City 2 Blackburn 2

Last updated : 15 September 2002 By CityMAD

Marc-Vivien Foe heads the ball away from Blackburn Rovers Garry Flitcroft
City, 2-0 down with ten minutes remaining and with Danny Tiatto dismissed, looked dead and buried, but Kevin Keegan's side stunned Blackburn with late goals from Nicolas Anelka and substitute Shaun Goater.

Keegan viewed it as one point gained as opposed to two lost in view of the circumstances explaining that City did not play well for 70 minutes.

There was disappointment as City failed to make it 13 straight home victories, though their heroic late efforts preserved their 12-month unbeaten home record.

Blackburn stunned City, taking the lead after 26 minutes through recent buy David Thompson and it became even worse early in the second half when the home side conceded a second as former Manchester United striker Andy Cole doubled Rovers' lead.

City's troubles deepened when Tiatto was sent off only six minutes after coming on following an x-rated two-footed tackle on Thompson.

Referee Mike Dean had no option, but to produce the red card and an enraged Keegan said the Aussie would be fined the maximum amount as he will not tolerate such unprofessional play.

Blackburn would have put the game beyond City's reach but for two saves from Peter Schmeichel, who denied Dwight Yorke and Henning Berg.

City capitalised when Anelka halved the deficit with an 80th minute goal, though he was assisted by a marked deflection.

Then in the final minute of normal time City produced an equaliser from super sub Goater.

Sylvain Distin broke on the left and cut the ball back for Goater to score from 12 yards, though once again keeper Brad Friedel was beaten by another deflected effort.

Man City: Schmeichel, Jihai, Bischoff (Tiatto 61), Distin, Wright-Phillips, Berkovic, Foe, Benarbia, Jensen, Anelka, Shuker (Goater 61). Subs Not Used: Nash, Ritchie, Horlock.

Sent Off: Tiatto (68).

Booked: Foe, Wright-Phillips, Berkovic.

Blackburn: Friedel, Taylor, Short, Berg, Neill, Gillespie (Mahon 78), Flitcroft, Dunn, Thompson (Tugay 86), Cole (Grabbi 56), Yorke. Subs Not Used: Kelly, Johansson.

Booked: Neill, Gillespie, Grabbi.

Att: 34,130

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).