Alvaro Negredo has swept Manchester City into a 1-0 half-time lead over Blackburn Rovers with a 45th-minute strike in the FA Cup tie at Ewood Park.

The home side had the ball in the net in the fourth minute, but the referee had blown for play to stop long before Tom Cairney had scored as Rudy Gestede had clearly handled the ball in the build-up.

City struggled to string many passes together in a sluggish opening 20 minutes, with Blackburn having the better chances, as Chris Taylor saw his effort deflected wide and Scott Dann headed at Costel Pantilimon from the resulting corner.

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Matija Nastasic entered the book for a late challenge on Adam Henley in the 21st minute, but the visitors soon grew into their stride.

After half an hour, Negredo cleverly dinked the ball over the head of Grant Hanley, but it just span away from the forward and into the hands of Paul Robinson.

Seven minutes later, Dedryck Boyata cut the ball back to David Silva from the byline, but the Spaniard blazed his effort over the bar from 12 yards.

Negredo was incensed in the 40th minute when Tommy Spurr seemed to drag the striker back, but no penalty was given.

However, with virtually the last kick of the half, Negredo peeled away from his marker at the far post and swept the ball home from close range after Edin Dzeko had nodded Silva's corner into the path of his strike partner.