Hughes hoping for City revival

MAN CITY 1, FULHAM 3


MARK HUGHES admitted Manchester City’s Premier League defeat against Fulham at Eastlands was far from ideal preparation for their biggest game of the season on Thursday.

The City manager will need a much-improved display against Hamburg if they are to overturn a two-goal deficit and win a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.

Hughes believes the exertions of a demanding season caught up with them against the Cottagers on Sunday as their hopes of a late challenge for a European place for next season looks over.

He said: “Maybe it is a case for this game only that our commitments to European games and a hard Premier League season caught up with us.

“We are hopeful that by Thursday, which is the key game for us, that we will be in better shape.

“We are looking to peg back a two-goal deficit against a very accomplished side which in my view is the best one in Germany. It is a tall ask for us, but we will give it our best shot.”

City will have to perform far better against Hamburg than they did against Fulham, who recorded only their second away league win of the campaign.

And the bad news is that City will be without Craig Bellamy and Nigel de Jong while Wayne Bridge and Vincent Kompany remain major injury worries.

Of the absentees against Fulham, only Shaun Wright-Phillips is certain to return, though Brazilians Robinho and Elano were only substitutes on Sunday as they were given a break.

Hughes spoke of mental tiredness and Richard Dunne appeared affected early on as his slip let in Bobby Zamora only for keeper Shay Given to save the day.

Dunne was then lucky not to concede a penalty for a clear shove in the back of Andy Johnson as he burst through on goal.

How referee Mark Halsey missed that and also a clear shirt pull by Dunne on Johnson in the box in the second half was a mystery.

City survived and snatched the lead just short of the half-hour after a superb solo run from his own half by Ireland who looped a delightful shot over keeper Mark Schwarzer.

The wheels well and truly fell off in the second half when Fulham seized control.

Pablo Zabaleta carelessly gave away the ball as Zamora played in Dempsey and the American slotted home a low shot.

Then midfield man de Jong failed to clear danger as City old-boy Dickson Etuhu walloped in a long-range shot, his first goal for the Cottagers.

City threw on Ched Evans, Daniel Sturridge and Robinho to try to retrieve the situation, but it proved to no avail as they failed to make an impact.

City were picked off again seven minutes from time when Dunne was at fault. Zamora played in Dempsey for a second time and the American shot low through the legs of Given to signal a mass exodus of disgruntled fans.