Hughes leaps to Robinho defence

Chelsea 1, Man City 0

MANCHESTER City boss Mark Hughes defended another poor display from £32million Robinho as Chelsea kept alive their slender title hopes in a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

“It was difficult to get him into the game,” said Hughes. “You have to give the opposition credit for that because they see Robinho as a threat for us and they’re going to try to deny him the space to have a positive impact.

“You can’t just expect one player to carry the team. We have other players who have to stand up to the plate and be counted. Today wasn’t Robinho’s day.”

Meanwhile, Guus Hiddink will have to fight for glory on three fronts without the services of Portugal midfielder Deco.

The Chelsea player is likely to be out for the rest of the season after suffering a recurrence of the hamstring injury that has plagued him for the last few months.

Chelsea ensured they kept up the pressure on leaders United thanks to Michael Essien’s first–half winner which put them back into second place, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, and just four points behind United.

Hiddink is still extremely wary of United’s game in hand but was boosted by Liverpool’s 4–1 demolition job on Sir Alex Ferguson’s side at Old Trafford.

“If it was just four points it would be very close, but they have that game in hand,” he said.