BENNI McCarthy grabbed his first Premier League goal as Rovers defeated Manchester City 1-0.

The South African international scored the only goal of the game on 13 minutes from close-range after Kasper Schmeichel had denied Roque Santa Cruz, but that wasn't the whole story in a pulsating game at Ewood Park.

Tugay's two yellows in two minutes saw Rovers down to ten men with 35 minutes to go, but the numbers were evened up goodten minutes later when City captain Richard Dunne also saw red for a second bookable offence.

Brad Friedel was rarely tested as Rovers dominated for long spells in the match, the only disappointment on an otherwise enjoyable afternoon in the rain was that the goals scored column wasn't increased such was the way the home side took City apart at will.

The three points ensures Rovers go into the international break on the back of deserved win, and with eight points from their four games, their best start to a Premier League season for over a decade.

After earning a rest in the midweek UEFA Cup win over MyPa, Mark Hughes brought back the big guns for the visit of Manchester City to Ewood. Samba, Savage, Dunn, McCarthy and Santa Cruz all restored to the starting line-up.

However it was the visitors who had the first opening of the game when on eight minutes a wayward pass from Stephen Warnock was pounced upon by Elano, the Brazilian shifted the ball to Martin Petrov who cut in from the left and let fly, Friedel made a fine save diving to his right to push the ball away.

But with their first attack of the game, Rovers took the lead, David Bentley swept over a corner kick from the left, Samba rose at the back post to beat Dunne to the ball, he knocked it back into the mix, Roque Santa Cruz powered a header goalwards, Kasper Schmeichel made a superb one-handed save but was powerless to stop Benni McCarthy opening his Premier League account for the season, making no mistake from two yards.

Rovers were however dealt a blow on 17 minutes when Robbie Savage limped off to the be replaced by Tugay. The Welshman had been on the end of a crunching, but fair, challenge from Richard Dunne earlier on in the game and had to call it a day.

But that didn't affect Rovers as they continued to look the brighter side, with the home side enjoying plenty of possession, creating a number of chances.

David Dunn fired narrowly over from a David Bentley free kick, then Santa Cruz was denied by Schmeichel, the Paraguayan's powerful header tipped over the crossbar.

From the resulting corner kick Rovers almost doubled their lead, Pedersen's kick from the right was flicked on by Santa Cruz, the ball bounced off the far post, in the ensuing scramble Richard Dunne almost headed into his own net but the ball came back off the bar.

City offered little as a forward threat which prompted Sven-Goran Eriksson into making an early tactical switch, Emile Mpenza coming on after the half hour for Michael Johnson.

As the half drew to a close Rovers again showed their attacking prowess, Santa Cruz threaded a ball out wide to Bentley, his first-time cross was swept goalwards by Pedersen but Schmeichel made the save low down to his left.

Moments after the restart the home side had another chance to extend their lead, Benni McCarthy again linked up well with Roque Santa Cruz, feeding the ball through to his strike partner. But whilst Santa Cruz got the better of Micah Richards, he couldn't get the ball out from under his feet and tamely shot into the body of Schmeichel.

But Rovers' task was then made much more difficult when talisman Tugay was red carded after picking up two yellow cards in the space of two minutes. The first when he hauled back Emile Mpenza on the edge of his own area, the second for a tug on Dietmar Hamann's shirt. The former Turkish international showing his frustration on leaving the pitch by kicking a water bottle.

Hughes shuffled his pack, Andre Ooijer came on at right back with Emerton moving further forward and Bentley into midfield and it paid immediate dividends. The Australian was released down the right, he sent over a ball in search of Roque Santa Cruz but the former Bayern man was brought crashing to the ground right on the edge of the area by Richard Dunne.

The Irish international had already been booked in the first half, a second was issued and like Tugay, Dunne had to make the lonely walk back to the dressing rooms.

With the numbers level once again, Rovers continued to force the pace. Christopher Samba powered a header inches over from Pedersen's corner kick, Dunn fired wide, whilst Emerton saw an effort saved a slick move involving the lively Stephen Warnock and Santa Cruz.

Emerton was in the action once again when he swung over a cross from the right, Pedersen controlled the ball brilliantly, but the same can't be said for his attempted lob that went straight into the arms of Schmeichel.

Rovers' back four were outstanding, limited Sven's side to speculative efforts from distance. A free-kick from Martin Petrov that curled wide was the best that the Swede's much changed side could muster.

In contrast the home side continued to look to stretch their lead, Brett Emerton, who impressed as a full-back and further forward tested Kasper Schmeichel twice, whilst after taking on all-comers in the corner he teed up Morten Gamst Pedersen but the Norwegian saw his effort blocked.

Three additional minutes were added which Rovers saw out with ease to enhance their growing reputation, the final whistle ensuring another victory over Manchester City, their fourth in a row.

ROVERS: Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen (c), Warnock, Bentley, Savage (sub Tugay 17 mins), Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz (sub Derbyshire 86 mins), McCarthy (sub Ooijer 63 mins).

Subs not used: Enckelman (GK), Roberts.

MAN CITY: Schmeichel, Richards, Johnson (sub Mpenza 31 mins), Ireland (sub Onuoha 71 mins), Bianchi, Elano, Petrov (sub Geovanni 76 mins), Corluca, Hamann, Dunne (c), Garrido.

Subs not used: Hart (GK), Ball.

Booked: Dunn, Tugay, Bentley, Samba, Pedersen (Rovers), Dunne (Man City).

Sent off: Tugay (Rovers), Dunne (Man City).

Attendance: 26,881