Hughes praise for Euro start
18 Jul 2008 - 07:15:30
Mark Hughes praised the professional display of his Manchester City side after they secured a 2-0 first leg advantage over EB Streymur in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
Hughes' first game at the City helm went according to plan against the side from the Faroe Islands as first-half goals from Martin Petrov and Dietmar Hamann secured a healthy first-leg advantage.
The second leg will take place on July 31 at Barnsley's Oakwell ground.
"The fitness levels were at different stages - they are halfway through their domestic season - so you are not quite sure what you are going to come up against," he said.
"But I was pleased with the performance, particularly in the first half when we kept possession well. We shifted it well and accurately and great purpose. Our tempo was also very good.
"We scored two great goals from Martin and Didi and we are delighted with that.
"The second half was to be expected really, we were quite comfortable and they made a better fist of it.
"It could have been a more comprehensive victory but two goals away from home in Europe and a clean sheet is a good result."
Meanwhile, Hughes praised new £19million striker Jo despite the Brazilian failing to find the net on his debut.
He added: "We created good chances and I was pleased with Jo's performance.
"He showed great awareness of players around him and once he gets to know the players and the way we want to play he will be a big asset to us."