Manchester City needed an equalizer from Patrick Vieira to salvage a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn on Saturday in a setback to its bid to join the top four of the Premier League.
Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson made a string of impressive saves but was beaten by 34-year-old Vieira in the 55th minute at Eastlands Stadium. It was Vieira's second goal for City since arriving in January.
Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic put Blackburn 1-0 up in the 25th following a mix-up between Kolo Toure and goalkeeper Joe Hart, who is England's No. 1 - a position Robinson used to hold.
City attackers Carlos Tevez and Shaun Wright-Phillips both missed good scoring chances for a club which spent over 100 million pounds ($150 million) on players in the offseason.
City almost made the breakthrough after two minutes with a flowing move. James Milner fed the ball out to Adam Johnson and he cut inside at pace before unleashing a shot that Robinson did well to block.
The home side maintained the momentum and Tevez released Wright-Phillips, only for the midfielder to drill his effort wide. Tevez then tested Robinson and Johnson found the wrong side of the post after being sent clear by Milner as he tried to curl the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
City kept up the pressure and Johnson floated in an inswinging corner in the 23rd minute but Vincent Kompany's effort was deflected to safety.
A minute later, Blackburn went ahead after the mix up involving Hart and Kolo Toure following a long ball from Morten Gamst Pedersen. Kalinic took advantage for a simple tap-in.
City kept pushing forward after the break and created another chance with a swift counter-attack in the 54th minute when Tevez sent Johnson clear. He thumped in a shot but Robinson stood tall to make the block.
A minute later, City drew level after Vieira and Tevez played a neat one-two. Blackburn failed to pick up Vieira as he broke forward and it was a sweet finish by the former Inter Milan and Arsenal midfielder.
Blackburn still looked dangerous on the break and Kalinic forced a brave save from Hart at close range in the 80th minute.
Back came City and Robinson again came to the rescue two minutes from time as he took the ball off Kolo Toure's toes. Tevez then saw his final effort blocked by Gael Givet in stoppage time and the rebound fell to Jo, but his shot was blocked as Christopher Samba threw his body in the way.
