BLACKBURN: Manchester City moved closer to reaching the Champions League for the first time after winning 1-0 at Blackburn from Edin Dzeko's late goal Monday to solidify its hold on the final qualifying place. It was the first Premier League goal in 10 attempts for the Bosnia striker since joining Man City in a 27 million pound ($42 million) transfer from Wolfsburg in January. Teammate David Silva's shot was only partially blocked by Blackburn defender Phil Jones in the 75th minute, and Dzeko slammed the ball into the net with his less favored right foot only three minutes after coming on as a substitute at Ewood Park. “Sometimes it's difficult. I'm not the first who didn't make the best start, but I'm happy because I scored today and helped the team,” Dzeko said. “Now we have to look at the future. Today was very good – it is a new beginning for me and for City.” City striker Mario Balotelli was standing in front of goalkeeper Paul Robinson when Dzeko scored, and Blackburn manager Steve Kean was unhappy the goal was allowed to stand. “Balotelli was right in front of Paul Robinson, so I'm saying that was offside,” Kean said. With five matches remaining, fourth-place City is four points clear of fifth-place Tottenham. The two teams are scheduled to meet May 10 at City's Eastland stadium. Blackburn hasn't won in the league for 10 matches and remains only one point above the relegation zone in 16th place. Blackburn had claims for a first-half penalty dismissed by referee Andre Marriner when Jason Roberts was challenged by Vincent Kompany in another decision criticized by Kean. “There was contact, Jason was saying he wanted to go through and finish,” Kean said. “We also thought we had a late shout with Niko Kalinic. “We're bitterly disappointed, we gave it a right go. We're gutted we didn't get anything tonight but if we play like that, we've got a great chance (of staying up).” Zaragoza beats Almeria Zaragoza moved one point clear of the relegation zone in the Spanish league after beating Almeria 1-0 on Monday from an own goal by goalkeeper Diego Alves. Midfielder Gabi Fernandez's shot hit the post, bounced off the back of a prone Alves and landed in the back of the net in the 70th minute at La Romareda stadium. The hosts had earlier had two shots cleared off the goal line and also hit the posts on two occasions. Zaragoza defender Paulo Da Silva cleared Pablo Piatti's shot off the line in the 88th to protect Zaragoza's fourth straight home win. “Tonight we will go to bed and sleep a little more peacefully, nothing more,” Zaragoza coach Javier Aguirre said. Zaragoza playmaker Ander Herrera was sent off for a hard tackle in injury time and will miss next week's match at Real Madrid. Almeria is 10 points from safety with five rounds to play after its fifth straight loss. Hercules and Osasuna join the Andalusian side in the drop zone.
