The future is blue for match-winner Dzeko

Edin Dzeko believes he is on an upward curve with Manchester City after scoring his first goal in 10 attempts in the Barclays Premier League.

The Bosnian striker handed his side a 1–0 victory against Blackburn at Ewood Park when he found the target in the 75th minute, three minutes after stepping off the bench.

Dzeko, a £27million signing from Wolfsburg in January, smashed the ball home at the back post following Phil Jones' misplaced clearance to keep his side in pole position to win the race to fourth place.

Dzeko's drought has been focused on in parallel with that of Chelsea's £50million man Fernando Torres, who opened his account against West Ham.

Manager Roberto Mancini praised Dzeko as City closed in on a Champions League spot. The Blues are now four points clear of fifth–placed Tottenham.

Blackburn remain only one point outside the relegation zone with four games remaining and manager Steve Kean was left cursing his luck. He said: "I feel very hard done by. I don't like to moan about referees but we feel their goal was offside with Balotelli standing in front of Paul Robinson.

"We felt we had a good shout for a penalty kick with a bump on Niko (Kalinic) but he probably made it hard for the referee by staying on his feet.

"Full credit to the lads, none of them have anything left.”