Blackburn see off City

Blackburn's solid start to the season continued as they defeated Manchester City 1-0. Benni McCarthy´s strike was enough to give Mark Hughes' side the edge against City in a rousing encounter. Bodog.com has made Blackburn 20 to 1 betting odds to win the Carling Cup 2007/2008:

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.

Bodog.com has posted European Football betting odds to win the Carling Cup 2007/2008:

Chelsea FC: 4/1

Manchester United: 9/2

Liverpool FC: 6/1

Arsenal FC: 8/1

Tottenham Hotspur: 10/1

Manchester City: 14/1

Aston Villa: 16/1

Newcastle United: 20/1

Blackburn Rovers: 20/1

Everton FC: 18/1

West Ham United 22/1

Portsmouth FC: 22/1

Middlesbrough: 40/1

Reading FC: 40/1

Bolton Wanderers: 40/1

Fulham FC: 40/1

Birmingham City: 66/1

West Bromwich Albion: 66/1

Sheffield United: 66/1

Charlton Athletic: 80/1

The Field (any other team): 14/1