RAY Harford can today celebrate a home run that beats anything Blackburn Rovers managed to achieve in last season's title campaign!

But the Rovers boss kept any euphoria in perspective after a seventh successive Premiership win at Ewood lifted his team to within sight of the pack chasing runaway leaders Newcastle.

Manchester City succumbed to a new and unfamiliar double act in the goalscoring stakes, Alan Shearer and - for the first time in a Rovers shirt - David Batty.

But Harford warned: "Alan's goal covered up a few mistakes.

"I thought Manchester City were very adventurous and looked a good team in the first half.

"They were causing us some problems. They persevered with their passing and made us chase around a lot.

"But, in the second half, we had a bit better shape and discipline and the goal (from Batty) again gave us a lift.

"We just carried on from there."

The best run of home victories Rovers could manage last season in the League was a sequence of six in a row.

And, largely thanks to Shearer, the magnificent seven games have also yielded 24 goals.

The Rovers and England striker remains on course to match last season's record-equalling 34 Premiership goals, even though there are four games fewer this time around because of the reduction in clubs.

He has also reached 99 League goals for Rovers but played down his own contribution: "First and foremost, the most important thing is that the team wins," said Shearer.

And, after handing over Sky TV's man of the match champagne to team-mate Batty, he underlined the stark contrast between home and away records. "It never seems to happen away from home," he said. "But we saw a bit of spirit in the first half at Wimbledon on Saturday and again tonight and, hopefully, that's the start of it."

Rovers moved into ninth place last night.

That represents their highest position so far this season, though Leeds could go above them tonight.

But a top 10 spot offers Rovers the chance to launch a genuine revival in the second half of the programme, providing they can start winning away from home.

Ewood's under-pitch heating ensured there was no danger to last night's game from the severe weather and Rovers were rewarded with their second highest attendance of the season.

The heating system has been protecting the pitch since Christmas Eve and is expected to remain switched on until after Saturday's home game against Tottenham Hotspur, unless there is a sudden change in the weather.

Tickets for that game are on open sale at Ewood, along with seats for the New Year's Day Premiership clash with Leeds at Elland Road and the FA Cup third round tie at Ipswich on Saturday week.

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