Benitez VS Eriksson 0-0

After a weekend full of fast-paced and high-scoring matches in the Premier League, this game was more of a fine exhibition of technique and tactics, and was very much a battle of wits between the two managers.

The tone was set by the cagey fashion in which the match started, with City and Liverpool both defending their respective exemplary home and away records.

Both bosses were forced to field unfamiliar defences, with full back Alvaro Arbeloa filling in at centre back in the absence of both Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger for Liverpool, while Michael Ball and Nedum Onuoha had rare starts for City, with regular right back Vedran Corluka deployed in an advanced midfield role.

It was Rafael Benitez's side who were given the time to keep more of the ball, though Sven Goran-Eriksson's team were content to sit deep and try to hit on the break through the pace of Martin Petrov and find lone front man Darius Vassell.

It was difficult for either side to carve open a clear-cut opportunity, though there were plenty of shots blocked and timely interceptions.

Derby suffered their 15th defeat of the season as Blackburn Rovers came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Pride Park.

Rams captain Matt Oakley opened the scoring for the home side before Roque Santa Cruz's equaliser, a minute after Brad Friedel saved a Steve Howard penalty, and David Bentley's strike from distance gave Mark Hughes' side all three points.

The result leaves Paul Jewell and his team eight points adrift at the bottom of the table, while Rovers move above West ham into ninth.

Although Derby had to endure large spells of Blackburn possession and creativity, they were positive going forward themselves, and just before the half hour mark Lewis' diagonal ball was knocked on by Giles Barnes for captain Oakley to mark his 250th league appearance by firing the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Friedel.

The goal marked the consecutive game in which Blackburn had conceded the first goal, and it knocked the visitors out of their stride somewhat, and soon afterwards Ryan Nelsen fouled Kenny Miller in the area.