McCarthy breaks City resolve

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The South African's strike was enough to give Mark Hughes' side the edge against City in a rousing encounter.

Both sides finished with 10 men. Blackburn midfielder Tugay was sent off, as was City skipper Richard Dunne. While Rovers extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches stretching back to last season, City have lost two in succession in the league with out scoring.

McCarthy made the breakthrough in the 13th minute when David Bentley swung in a corner from the left that was met by Christopher Samba at the far post. He picked out Roque Santa Cruz, only for Kasper Schmeichel to parry his header straight into the path of McCarthy, who scored from close range.

It was the South African striker's first league goal of the season to add to his two in the Intertoto Cup. He scored 24 in all competitions last term.

Blackburn almost extended their lead when David Dunn got on the end of a Bentley free-kick only to head over the bar. Then Stephen Warnock found Santa Cruz at the back post but Schmeichel got a good hand to the ball.

Blackburn almost added a second in first-half stoppage-time when Bentley picked out Morten Gamst Pedersen but the Norwegian's effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.

The visitors hit back and won a free-kick 20 yards out in the 53rd minute. Brazilian midfielder Elano took it, only to send his effort narrowly wide of the post.

Blackburn were reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when Tugay was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in two minutes. The Turkish playmaker was dismissed for challenges on Mpenza and Dietmar Hamann.

However, Sven-Goran Eriksson's side went down to 10 men in the 65th minute when skipper Dunne was sent off after a lunge on Santa Cruz as Rovers held on.