Source: SKY_Sports
Hughes hails City start
Manager Mark Hughes believes Manchester City can only get better after kicking off an eagerly-anticipated season with a 2-0 win at Blackburn.
The big-spending Blues laid down a marker with two clinical finishes by Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland in a workmanlike performance.
The new-look City side looked confident in possession and going forward, and showed great resolve to keep Blackburn at bay.
The home side launched an aerial assault on Hughes' defence but thanks to two fine saves by City goalkeeper Shay Given, the visitors survived and clinched an opening-day victory through Ireland's stoppage-time strike.
"The key was to get a positive result and that's what we were able to do," Hughes told Sky Sports.
"I thought the guys showed the qualities that will be needed this season. There will be difficult times when we'll need to come together as a team and a squad, and show resilience and strength of character. That was evident today and that's a good sign for us."
Adebayor had a dream debut, firing home an excellent opener after just three minutes, and he worked tirelessly in attack, particularly in the second half when City were determined not to rest on their half-time lead.
"It was an outstanding goal," Hughes added. "It started inside our own box, we very quickly got it up to the other end of the field and it was a great finish by Ade.
"I thought he was outstanding today, he led the line really well and showed great composure.
"He's technically excellent so was always a threat, and all-in-all, it was a really satisfying performance because it's difficult to come here.
"Blackburn really put you under a lot of pressure and they'll win a lot of games playing the way they do because it's difficult to combat, but we were up to the challenge today."
Hughes' first season in charge was hindered by a woeful away record and he is eager to put that right from the outset this term.
There is plenty of room for improvement but the City boss was impressed by how his new signings gelled in just their first competitive outing.
"It (away form) was a cross to bear last year and we needed to address it very quickly," said Hughes.
"We've got seven away games in the first 12 so we need to make sure our form on the road is good and we've made a good start.
"Pre-season's been a little bit fragmented because players have been coming back off international duty, and some players have had longer to recover from the exertions of last season.
"It's maybe the last couple of weeks where we've really got some good work in. I saw some really good signs today and we can only get better."
