Rovers had twice equalised but with just three minutes left, Anelka made the most of a poor back header to sprint down the left and slot the ball through the legs of keeper Brad Friedel.

It was an embarrassing moment for Blackburn who paid the price for sloppy defending but City manager Kevin Keegan jumped out of his seat with hands aloft.

When asked whether he intended to nutmeg Friedel, Anelka told Sky Sports television: "I don't know. I just shot and I was happy to hit the target and get the three points."

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness was philosophical about the goal. "Brad had just one of those games tonight," he said.

City went ahead after just four minutes through a Michael Tarnat wonder goal from an unlikely distance. Martin Taylor fouled Anelka close to the midfield circle and from the resulting dead ball move, the German international hit a fierce swerving left-footed freekick which superbly swung low to the left past the outstretched hand of Friedel into the net.

Trevor Sinclair inadvertently put Rovers level with a headed own goal low to the right from six yards out a minute before the break.

Joey Barton put City in the driving seat for the second time with a right-foot shot from about 18 yards in the 59th minute but Rovers were once more level two minutes later.

A freekick from Brett Emerton found Lorenzo Amoruso who headed home from six yards.

City keeper David Seaman, who was largely at fault for both goals he conceded, nevertheless said it was great to be top of the table and added it would be quite a moment to meet his old Arsenal team-mates again when the two teams meet on Sunday.

"It will be the first time I have seen the lads as I have not had time to get to their training ground and it'll be a great occasion," he said.