Eriksson bemused by Santa strike

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Assistant referee Darren Cann raised his flag for offside against David Dunn, but then changed his mind and informed Webb that Dunn was not interfering with play, allowing the referee to give the goal.

"Whether that is interference according to FIFA I don't know, but to me it is interference," argued Eriksson. "By being in that position, Dunn decides what our goalkeeper is going to do. I asked the referee to explain it to me afterwards and he did say it is a big grey area. I really don't know."

For Rovers boss Mark Hughes, who spent most of the second half berating Cann and Webb for a stream of borderline decisions that went against his team, the incident represented a welcome turn of fortune.

"In fairness to the assistant, he was strong enough and brave enough to call Mr Webb over and admit he had made a mistake," said the Rovers chief.

"That obviously does not happen very often, so we are grateful for it. Now we have to capitalise on the turn of fortune."

Having already netted one equaliser after Darius Vassell had put City in front, Santa Cruz has now scored 13 times for Blackburn, including seven in the last four games.

Incredibly, that sequence has generated one draw and three defeats in an overall run of one win in 10 games.

Another reverse looked on the cards too as Ryan Nelsen turned home a low cross from the excellent Martin Petrov to ease City back in front before the break.

Santa Cruz's late effort ensured Petrov's efforts were in vain as City remain in fifth ahead of Sunday's eagerly-awaited showdown with Liverpool.