Rational sports predictions.

FULL TIME Chris Foy sees common sense and blows the full time whistle.

SUMMARY Fairly comfortable for City who barely had to break when storming into a three-goal lead. The perspiration came thick and fast when Pedersen pulled one back for Rovers who finally started to put some pressure on but ultimately City, and Tevez in particularly, were far too good going forward and fully deserving of the three points. Their Champions League hopes will be sky high now, but for Rovers it's all about beating the drop. Full time at Eastlands, Manchester City 4 Blackburn Rovers 1.

OKAY NOW The defender looks okay now, touch wood, as he is helped off the field by the Rovers physio. Nzonzi looks groggy too, though.

BARELY MOVED Nzonzi is on his feet but Givet is lay strewn on the pitch and has barely moved.

WORRYING Very worrying moment for Rovers players, fans and staff alike. Nzonzi and Givet both go for a high ball and in doing so knock each out on the noggin.

MAN CITY 4-1 BLACKBURN Take a bow, CARLOS TEVEZ. Robinho jogs inside and slots to the City striker who, from practically the same position as his second goal, takes a touch and curls another beauty past Paul Robinson. That's a well deserved hat trick for Tevez and a fitting conclusion to the evening's proceedings.

ADDED TIME Three minutes added on by the fourth official.

UNCERTAINTY More uncertainty at the back from City as Kompany and Given contrive to concede a corner. Against better opposition they'd have been punished more severely tonight.

FINAL CHANGE Final change of the night for City. Martin Petrov receives a standing ovation at he leaves the field to be replaced by 19-year-old Belgian defender, Dedryck Boyata. Boyata makes his Premier League debut in the process.

SELFISH Santa Cruz definitely fancies a goal against his former employers. He races towards the box on the break but with Tevez all alone in the middle he chooses to shoot, and lashes well wide. Tevez is furious.

NO COMEBACK Rovers's brief flirtation with a miraculous comeback has subsided into a longing glance at what might have been had the bigger, more attractive boy not taken charge earlier in the evening.

SMART SAVE With Rovers finally pushing players forward the gaps have started to appear at the back. Robinho lashes a 20-yarder towards goal and Robinson makes a smart save.

CITY SUB Roque Santa Cruz makes his first appearance against Blackburn since leaving Ewood Park. He replaces Benjani, who receives high-fives all around as he takes a deserved rest on the bench.

OFFSIDE Robinho thinks he's scored his first goal of the season, before being correctly denied by an offside flag. Tevez crossed low for the Brazilian who tapped home, but he was a yard or two beyond the last man.

BOOKING The home side try and break from that corner - Pedersen hauls back Robinho and picks up a deserved booking.

PRESSURE A Rovers cross from the left is straight to Garrido, but with no visiting player within eight yards he deigns to nod behind for a corner. Looks like City are feeling the pressure.

GOAL NEEDED Another Blackburn goal and we'll have a tasty final few minutes at Eastlands, that's for sure.

JUST SHORT Pedersen is left free in the box but can't get his head on the end of Givet's left-wing cross.

MOMENTUM Tell you what they've got all the momentum here, Rovers. Hoilett twists and turns his way to the byline inside the box and an accurate pass sets Kalinic up for a tap in. Unfortunately for the visitors it's off target and Richards hoofs clear.

MAN CITY 3-1 BLACKBURN They couldn't, could they? Probably not, but at least Rovers have blotted Mancini's copybook by scoring the first goal against City since the Italian took charge. It's an awful error from Kompany, who pushes Given's pass straight to MORTEN GAMST PEDERSEN and he promptly ambles forward before curling into the corner. Lovely finish.

FRUITFUL Another half chance for Rovers who are enjoying their most fruitful spell of the game, albeit about 70 minutes too late. Given punches a cross to Emerton, before then pushing the Australian's volley wide.

CITY SUB Robinho, whose last appearance saw him given five minutes when City were 2-0 up at Wolves, is offered 21 this time around. Craig Bellamy trudges off.

EMERTON SHOT Nice build-up play from Rovers which culminates in Emerton driving a low shot straight at Given. Ironic cheers from the travelling supporters, who finally see an attempt on target.

ROVERS SUB Final change of the night for Rovers. David Dunn is saved for Thursday, with Martin Olsson his replacement. You know the saying, 'when you're 3-0 down send for Martin Olsson'.

WOEFUL Morten Gamst Pedersen thinks he's Roberto Carlos, lining up a 40 yard free kick. After a big build up he curls miles over the top. Carlos would no doubt ruefully shake his head in shame.

BOOKING And it's a busy few minutes for Zabaleta, who is booked for a late challenge on Hoilett.

NZONZI CHANCE When it's not your night... Dunn curls the resulting free kick, from just to the left of the box, onto Nzonzi's head and the midfielder contrives to clumsily nod wide from about four yards. Again, he has to bury that.

CLAIMED Another cross from Zabaleta, who barely ventured into Blackburn's half in the first 45 minutes, but this one is claimed by Robinson.

SHOULD BE FOUR Tevez is aghast that he doesn't polish off a hat trick, and to be fair he really should score. Zabaleta looks up and sends a perfect cross onto the diving Argentine's head, but from six yards he sends it wide.

KALINIC HEADER A long set piece into the box finds Kalinic who flicks tamely over Given's bar. As things stand Rovers will be heading into what is their biggest game of the season, in just three days time, on a very low ebb.

NO SIGN It's a question of pride for Rovers but they show no sign of giving their fans something to cheer about.

ON FIRE It may be about minus two degrees in Manchester but Carlos Tevez is on fire in every way but literal. City's number 32 has scored nine goals in his last seven Premier League appearances. Might be a case of deja vu for Rovers - Tevez scored a hat trick against them last season, for Man United in a Carling Cup quarter final.

INTO FOURTH Three points which will see the Citizens leapfrog Spurs into fourth place, four behind Arsenal and six behind Man United, although the red half of Manchester have played a game more. Barring a comeback of Mali proportions, that is.

MAN CITY 3-0 BLACKBURN Three assists, and counting. Benjani shows some great strength and shrugs off Givet before picking out CARLOS TEVEZ on the edge of the box - he curls a beauty past a helpless Paul Robinson and that's three points in the bag for Manchester City.

'MEGS Benjani, quietly impressive in the first half in his own unique bumbling way (with two assists to boot) has a great chance from a cut back but simply lets the ball roll through his legs.

TO THE BYLINE Former Rover Craig Bellamy hares to the left byline but his low cross somehow evades Tevez and Benjani.

SECOND HALF And the visitors, clad in white and red this evening, get the ball rolling again at Eastlands.

CHANGES Sam Allardyce makes a double change for Rovers at the break, perhaps with Thursday's Carling Cup semi final against Aston Villa in mind. On come Junior Hoilett and Nikola Kalinic, with Keith Andrews and Franco Di Santo withdrawn.

HALF TIME A moment of madness and a moment of inspiration have defined this half. There's precious little else to say about it - for now City lead Blackburn by two goals to nil.

OLE City's fans even have the cheek to start the 'oles' as their side calmly slide the ball around the park. Rovers look shellshocked.

THREE AND EASY Incidentally that was Richards's third strike of the season and sixth of his career. I very much doubt he'll ever play a bigger role in creating and then scoring a goal.

MAN CITY 2-0 BLACKBURN I am absolutely slack-jawed at what I've just seen, as are about 45,000 supporters inside Eastlands. MICAH RICHARDS takes the bull by the proverbial horns, sprinting from his own half to Blackburn's box, taking on about four players in the process. He lays off to Benjani, whose shot hits the post and the gallivanting Richards slots home the rebound with Blackburn still sleeping. Fabulous endeavour from the young Englishman who has set the game alight.

NO CHANCES Meanwhile Rovers's work ethic is winning them ground, but no chances. They need to get David Dunn on the ball.

HOOFED BEHIND Bellamy epitomises his opening 38 minutes, shuffling towards the right byline before hoofing a cross straight behind for a goal kick.

AWFUL If this is the kind of stylish football City will be employing under Robert Mancini, I'd think about handing my season ticket back in if I were an Eastlands regular. Seriously, I know they're winning, but this is pretty awful to watch - all one-paced and no creativity whatsoever.

EMPHATIC Another long throw from Pedersen but this one is emphatically cleared.

QUIET Well this one just hasn't sparked to life, despite the early goal. It's quiet off the pitch too - these fans need some action to warm them up.

WASTED Tevez wins a free kick 30 yards out to the left of the area. With everyone expecting a cross Petrov goes for goal but gets it all wrong. Bad call.

PEDERSEN SHOT A seemingly harmless header forward from Andrews is misjudged by Zabaleta - Pedersen is suddenly free on the left of the box but he slices a rash volley a good distance wide.

ADMIRABLE NELSEN Tevez sprays wide to Bellamy who runs at Jacobsen before slotting back to the Argentine inside the box, but Nelsen is there again to take the ball off his toes.

NZONZI SHOT Rovers slowly work the ball around midfield. Eventually Nzonzi loses patience and spanks one from 30 yards, which drifts wide of Given's left-hand post.

POSSESSION Blackburn are offering next to nothing going forward here but City have taken their foot off the gas and it's the visitors who are enjoying all the possession.

FIRST SHOT Pedersen's long throw is cleared to Gael Givet who hammers a shot well over the top. That's the first shot on goal from Rovers.

DENIED Benjani and Tevez combine nicely in the box, before the latter is denied by a Nelsen challenge.

BETTER Better from Rovers who force City back with a couple of balls into the box, but with just Di Santo forward the home defence have little trouble dealing with the danger.

NO NEED That really was a clanger from Paul Robinson and there was just no need for his rash decision, with no City player offering a challenge. With the World Cup just five months away, that's the last thing the former England number one needed.

CUT OUT Petrov breaks free down the left but his cross to Bellamy is cut out. Rovers have yet to get going at all here and they could be in for a hiding.

KING CARLOS And that continues a rich vein of form for Tevez. It's nine in nine games for the Argentine.

MAN CITY 1-0 BLACKBURN They frustrated City for all of seven minutes - a Paul Robinson blooper has just gifted the hosts a 1-0 lead. Petrov's corner is fumbled by the keeper who seems caught in two minds as whether to punch or catch, and Benjani's scuffed shot is turned in by CARLOS TEVEZ from four yards.

INHIBITED Quite an inhibited start from Rovers here. Their 4-5-1 is clearly designed to frustrate.

FAITH IN BENJANI Interesting that Benjani has been selected to spearhead this City XI, leaving Roque Santa Cruz and Robinho kicking their heels on the bench. The Zimbabwean had a pretty frustrating 2009, making just three substitute appearances under Mark Hughes, but we all know he's got the talent to upset any Premier League defence on his day.

GOOD ATTENDANCE Excellent crowd in attendance tonight - the cold weather hasn't put off those excitable City fans who are keen to jump on the Mancini bandwagon, at least for the time being. Rovers have brought a few hardy souls with them, filling just one block of their away end.

SET PIECES KEY Free kick for Rovers in a promising position 40 yards out - set pieces will be a key part of their game tonight - but Given claims unchallenged.

VANQUISHED The sombre mood is quickly vanquished by a bold City start as they win a corner through Tevez inside a minute. Petrov whips it in but Rovers clear.

KICK OFF The emotional 60 seconds is impeccably observed by everyone in the stadium. City's officials have already stated that Adebayor can take as much time off as he needs to mentally recover from the tragedy. We're up and running now as the home side kick us off.

PREVIEW In what will be just the third Premier League fixture of a weather-hit weekend, Manchester City host Blackburn Rovers looking to jump into a Champions League qualifying spot. Three wins from three under new boss Robert Mancini, complete with clean sheets to boot, have revitalised and refocused City’s players and supporters following the controversial sacking of Mark Hughes. With a Carling Cup semi final round the corner, the Citizens will overtake Spurs and pull themselves to within seven points of leaders Chelsea with a win tonight. Rovers would appear to be there for the taking, sitting as they are nervously above the drop zone, but in 2009-10 it seems nothing is a foregone conclusion in the Premier League.

TEAM NEWS City’s latest marquee signing, Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira who joined from Inter Milan on Friday, is unlikely to make his debut as he recovers from a calf injury. Shaun Wright-Phillips and Roque Santa Cruz could both return from recent knocks, but neither Kolo Toure and Emmamuel Adebayor are available. Blackburn have El-Hadji Diouf suspended, but Vince Grella (thigh) is their only injury doubt.

HEAD TO HEAD Rovers have beaten City away just once since they won the Premier League title in 1994/95. That win came in January 2007 when two goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen and a third from Matt Derbyshire gave Mark Hughes’s side (!) victory over a City team managed by Stuart Pearce. How times have changed, I think is the phrase.

THE REF Chris Foy is our man in the middle tonight. His last Man City game was their 3-1 win over West Ham in September when he showed just two yellow cards, while the 47-year-old flashed four bookings in his most recent Blackburn match, a 0-0 draw at Hull last month. In total Foy has handed out 68 yellows and three reds in 20 games this season.

KICK OFF 2000 GMT Barring any last minute snowstorms which might increase the chances of a clumsy person falling over and hurting their knee a bit, kick off is scheduled for 2000 GMT. Join us from 1930 GMT for all the team news, followed by live text commentary on Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers.

MAN CITY LINE UP Benjani keeps his place up front for City and in doing so makes his first Premier League start for over a year. Shaun Wright-Phillips and Roque Santa Cruz are only fit enough for a place on the bench and in total Roberto Mancini makes just three changes from the side which beat Middlesbrough 1-0 in the FA Cup last weekend. Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy are in, Dedryck Boyato, Sylvinho and Vladimir Weiss are out. Full line up: Given; Zabaleta, Richards, Kompany, Garrido; De Jong, Barry, Petrov; Tevez, Benjani, Bellamy. Subs: Taylor, Boyata, Sylvinho, Ibrahim, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Santa Cruz.

BLACKBURN LINE UP Brett Emerton makes his first appearance in a month for Rovers after recovering from a groin injury, as part of eight changes from the 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Aston Villa on January 2nd. Gael Givet, David Dunn and Franco Di Santo are the trio to keep their places. Full line up: Robinson; Jacobsen, Samba, Nelsen, Givet; Emerton, Andrews, Nzonzi, Dunn, Pedersen, Di Santo. Subs: Brown, Olsson, Chimbonda, Salgado, Hoilett, Kalinic, McCarthy.

MINUTE'S SILENCE Before kick off Eastlands falls silent for a minute to remember the three people who so tragically lost their lives when Togo's team coach was machine gunned by terrorists in Angola on Friday. Obviously it's particularly poignant here, with City striker Emmanuel Adebayor one of those Togo players forced to endure the horrific experience.