JOE Royle was still tipping Blackburn Rovers to come good, even after his table-topping team beat them at Maine Road.

And the Manchester City manager felt it was a crucial - and ultimately deserved - win for his team.

Though he said Rovers had given the leaders as difficult a test as any side in the First Division this season.

"That first half was as strong as anyone has been against us and Blackburn would feel aggrieved to be 1-0 down at half time," said Royle.

"We were fortunate to be in front but, by the end, we had won it well.

"The players don't give in, they have a great spirit and we missed the penalty and hit a post and won well.

"Every time Kennedy got the ball I thought something was going to happen.

"I felt sorry for their full back in the end - no I didn't!" he laughed. Blackburn are one of the sides who could come on a late run and I wouldn't be surprised, on that display, if they do.

"I am delighted to have beaten them at this stage.

"There's nothing to fear but ourselves and we are gradually putting those days behind us.

"Expectations and ambitions are rising all the time but I have seen nobody better (than us).

"Blackburn paid us the compliment of changing their system. It took us some time to sort it out and Jansen's a talent.

"But the first goal must have been a killer for them really and we came back well from missing the penalty.

"I am delighted to see two players score - Edghill and Whitley - who aren't always the darlings of the fans.

"They aren't the most obvious talents to the fans but they are certainly the kind of players that managers love."

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