Blackburn Rovers 0 Manchester City 2:  Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young struck in the final 10 minutes to send Manchester United five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League. It looked like being a frustrating night for United, who dominated for long periods but failed to get closer than an early Javier Hernandez shot that struck a post.

Indeed, David de Gea made a string of fine saves to repel Blackburn counter-attacks before Valencia and Young struck near the end.

Alex Ferguson made three changes to his starting line-up with Phil Jones returning against his former club, whilst Paul Scholes and Javier Hernandez were also included. Blackburn manager Steve Kean recalled Bradley Orr, with Mauro Formica missing from the side defeated at Bolton last time out.

Wayne Rooney had been selected on the left of a three-man attack but dropped deep to start to early move that ended with Scott Dann heading Antonio Valencia’s cross away from danger.

Then, after a period of Blackburn pressure that ended with David de Gea rushing a clearance as Yakubu Aiyegbeni closed in, Rooney dropped a long ball over Grant Hanley to Javier Hernandez, who fired a difficult first-time shot wide.

Michael Carrick found Rafael with a superb through ball but the youngster wanted too much time and Hanley slid in to rob him. Hernandez darted to the near post to meet Valencia’s low cross but his shot hit the woodwork before Paul Robinson gratefully grabs the loose ball as it was about to bounce over the line.

United were finding far too much room in wide positions, although their willingness to attack almost proved to be their undoing as Junior Hoilett curled an excellent shot towards goal which De Gea did well to claw away.

Robinson saved a Jonny Evans shot that lacked power, then another Valencia cross found Jones, who was off balance as he jumped and could not guide his header goalwards. Yakubu gifted the ball to Carrick inside the Blackburn box but after feeding a pass to Rafael, the young full-back’s cross went straight to Robinson.

Steven Nzonzi earned a ticking-off from referee Howard Webb after manhandling Jones, then a deflected Rafael cross was punched away by Robinson, under pressure from Hernandez.

Blackburn seemed unable to stop the supply Valencia was providing from the right wing. Yet another cross almost fell kindly for Scholes, although as Blackburn broke, the South American was booked for shoving Martin Olsson over.

United had a penalty claim turned down when Carrick’s shot struck Scott Dann and Patrice Evra headed the corner wide. Blackburn then piled forward in the final minute of the half and after De Gea had denied Marcus Olsson with a fingertip save, the Spain Under-21 star kept out a header from Hanley that was also heading in.

Blackburn started the second period as they had ended the first, with Dann glancing a header just wide. United were soon on the offensive, although Rooney was off-target with one effort. Then, after Hanley had been booked for barging Scholes over, Rooney brought an excellent save out of Robinson with a curling free-kick.

From a similar position shortly afterwards, Rafael tried his luck but Robinson proved equal to that too. By now, Blackburn had reasoned that they could profit themselves.

Top scorer Yakubu wasted two decent opportunities before De Gea spilled a Morten Gamst Pedersen free-kick and had to be bailed out by Ferdinand. Within a minute Pedersen had lashed home from the edge of the area, only for the goal to be ruled out because the ball had just crossed the touchline before Nzonzi pulled it back.

Both before and after that incident, Ferguson made changes, introducing Danny Welbeck for Hernandez and Ryan Giggs for Phil Jones. United were starting to get desperate, and leaving holes at the back as a result.

Had Ferdinand not managed to get to Yakubu in the nick of time, the Nigerian would surely have touched home Marcus Olsson’s low cross at the near post.

But with 10 minutes remaining, Valencia received possession from Rafael, found room inside the Blackburn box and powered a curling right-footed shot into the corner, giving Robinson no chance.

And they were not finished either as Young belted home a second from the edge of the area five minutes from time.