Hughes sets his target

Mark Hughes can see no reason why Manchester City should not force their way into the top six next season. City ended an inconsistent campaign with good news on and off the pitch on Sunday, adding a 1-0 win against Bolton at Eastlands to a record shirt sponsorship deal with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airlines. While the extra revenue is almost inconsequential to a club that has spent well over £120million on players, the money does ensure City will enter the summer on a firm footing. "There is no reason why we should not hit the ground running next season," said Hughes. "I would be disappointed if that was not the case because everyone knows what I am about now. "The whole process of change has taken longer than I anticipated but I believe challenging for a top-six place is a realistic target."