City Crash Despite Early Strike

Manchester City got off to a dream start in their UEFA Cup quarter-final but then found themselves in the middle of nightmare as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat in the first leg against Hamburg at the German side's HSV Arena.Stephen Ireland made the breakthrough after only 35 seconds following a delightful build-up with Robinho.But that resulted in an onslaught from Hamburg with goals from Joris Mathijsen, Piotr Trochowski - via a penalty - and substitute Jose Guerrero handing the Bundesliga side a two-goal cushion going into the second leg at Eastlands.Ireland told ITV4: "We threw it away."We got off to a great start and didn't defend well enough or get back in shape. We're absolutely gutted but we have to return the favour back at our place."I think we can do the same to them. But they created more chances and put us under more pressure. We weren't really brave enough on the night."

Source: Eurosport