Hughes down at defeat

City boss felt they deserved a point

Last updated: 5th October 2008

Hughes down at defeat

Hughes: Disappointed

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Mark Hughes has expressed his disappointment at Manchester City's 3-2 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

City were at their free-flowing best in the first half and were in control at the interval courtesy of goals from Stephen Ireland and Javier Garrido.

However, it proved a miserable second half at goals from Fernando Torres and a late winner from Dirk Kuyt sealed the comeback after Pablo Zabaleta had been dismissed.

Hughes expected a Reds from Liverpool at some point in the contest and was disappointed his troops did not react more positively when the game swing the visitors' way.

Disappointed

"We're disappointed obviously. It's a harsh lesson. We were good value for our lead," he told Sky Sports.

"We created a lot of problems for a good Liverpool team. We expected a Liverpool response but unfortunately we allowed them back into the game.

"Our situation was compounded by Pablo's sending off. We needed to be strong and try and see the game out.

"Even with even numbers it's difficult, but with less numbers on the pitch it's hard to combat their talents.

"We could have done better with the equalising goal. He was allowed a clear header.

"In the end we speak about making sure we take something out of the game, we should have seen the game out. That's the disappointment.

Early days

"We're not the finished article. It's very early in the development of the team, but for long periods we caused them problems.

"I see good signs, especially in the first half. We'll take the positives out of the first half, but we need to be able to sustain it for 90 minutes. That's what we have to work on."

City were leading 2-1 when Zabaleta was dismissed from a strong challenge on Xabi Alonso and Hughes felt even Liverpool's player did not think it was a red card offence.

"I look for the reaction of the opposing players. People will view it as a sending off, but I felt it was a genuine attempt to get the ball," he concluded.