Manchester City put the Carlos Tevez saga behind them with a classy victory at Blackburn that keeps them level on points with leaders Manchester United.<br /><br />City lost Sergio Aguero to a groin injury in a forgettable first half but they found top form in the second.<br /><br />Mario Balotelli hit a post before Adam Johnson struck with a magnificent curling effort into the top corner.<br /><br />Balotelli volleyed home, Samir Nasri hit a deflected third and Stefan Savic headed in to confirm Blackburn's woe.<br /><br />Rovers are now second-bottom of the Premier League table with four points from seven games and a goal difference of -9.<br /><br />A number of their fans staged a sit-in protest at full-time to demand the dismissal of manager Steve Kean, who will meet with the club's owners when he takes his squad to India next week.<br /><br />Life looks considerably brighter for City, who join United on 19 points with a goal difference only one inferior to their rivals' 19.<br /><br />Their preparations were overshadowed by the fall-out from Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in the Champions League.<br /><br />Tevez was suspended for allegedly refusing to come on as a substitute while Edin Dzeko apologised to boss Roberto Mancini after reacting angrily to being replaced.<br /><br />Before the trip to Ewood Park, Mancini stated "I'm the manager, I'm in control" and he made six changes to his starting line-up - with Dzeko among those making way.<br /><br />City carried little threat in the early stages and when they did work an opportunity on 10 minutes, Dzeko's replacement Balotelli shot wastefully over the bar.<br /><br />Apart from a perfectly-timed James Milner tackle that denied Blackburn striker Yakubu, City dominated possession but created little in the way of meaningful chances.<br /><br />/football on Youtube brings you the latest football news, transfer rumours and footballing gossip from the English Premier League and European Champions League.
