MANCHESTER // With his Manchester City future under scrutiny, Elano turned in another fine display to suggest he would be a major asset for the club next season. His manager Mark Hughes has responded to his plea for more first-team football in the past month and the Brazilian has not let him down. A goal and two assists sparked a City victory that maintains their push for seventh spot and a place in Europe.
City's first goal came when Elano swung over a 27th-minute corner and a scramble in the box saw the ball drop invitingly for Felipe Caicedo to stab home his first league goal since December. Seven minutes later, Elano picked out Vincent Kompany in the box and when the Belgian's header rebounded to him, he touched it to Robinho who curled into the corner. It was his third goal in three games and Elano made it four in four himself with a coolly taken penalty after Gael Givet had handled Stephen Ireland's backheel.
Blackburn did rally after the break with Keith Andrews scoring in the 65th minute, tapping in after Shay Given had blocked a penalty from El Hadji Diouf. @Email:akhan@thenational.ae
