SWP gets Hughes praise

City manager lauds Thursday's Uefa cup goal-scorers

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 3rd October 2008

Man City SWP 2/10/2008

SWP: Impressed boss

He gives us great energy and great pace down the right-hand side. His goal was just reward for his efforts

Mark Hughes on Shaun Wright-Phillips
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Manchester City boss Mark Hughes was left singing Shaun Wright-Phillips' praises after Thursday's Uefa Cup win.

Goals from Elano and Wright-Phillips were enough as City ran out 2-1 winners on the night against Omonia Nicosia to progress to the group stages.

It was the 26-year-old's fourth goal in his second spell at the club after his £9 million return from Chelsea in August, and Hughes was keen to point out the importance of the winger's 55th minute goal against a difficult Cypriot outfit.

"Shaun was a little bit frustrated at playing the wrong ball at the wrong time," Hughes said.

"But he kept going. He gives us great energy and great pace down the right-hand side. His goal was just reward for his efforts."

Praise

Hughes also paid tribute to fellow scorer Elano, whose goal was one to savour after a slow start by City in the second leg of their first round clash.

"Elano is coming into a bit of form," said the City boss. "He is playing on the left alongside Robinho and they are working well together.

"They already have a good understanding of each other and that can only benefit us in the games to come."

Naivety

Hughes still claimed there was room for improvement after the win, citing a naivety to European football as the major factor for their less than convincing victory.

"We did not show enough patience in the first half. We were trying to force the issue. But we improved as the game went on.

"Omonia got a bit of encouragement when they scored but we saw the game out quite comfortably. We are a young team and this is a learning process for us."