Ryan Bennett's display at Ewood Park in a losing cause proved one thing beyond doubt. The young centre-back is made of the right stuff.
Bennett will have trooped off the Carrow Road pitch the previous weekend realising he is now operating in rarefied air after a masterclass from Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez. Bennett's intended pass back to John Ruddy merely provided Tevez with a chance for his hat-trick and the headlines.
Bennett, more than most, was no doubt counting the minutes to a trip to Blackburn. Yakubu and Junior Hoilett may not possess the pedigree of the Samba stars, but they are just as potent. Bennett, along with the rest of his team-mates, may not have been able to prevent Hoilett's superb second but the former Peterborough man kept a tight rein on Yakubu – save one improvised bicycle kick.
Bennett offers security in his own box and a threat in the opposition's. Ruddy was thankful he was alert to hack clear an early sighter from Hoilett. The 22-year-old headed a difficult chance wide from Andrew Surman's corner at the other end.
Bennett's nuisance value nearly resulted in a late lifeline when Aaron Wilbraham was just unable to re-direct a ball that spiralled towards the far post. The young centre-back also ensured Rovers did not add a third when he blocked Blackburn substitute Anthony Modeste's near post header in a final flourish.
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