Hughes still sure of City progress

Mark Hughes is sure Manchester City can reach the last four of the UEFA Cup despite a 3-1 defeat in their quarter-final first leg at Hamburg.Hughes believes they have shown enough firepower at Eastlands this season to overturn a two-goal deficit in the second leg of their last-eight tie next Thursday.However, City will have to defend better than they did at the Nordbank Arena to keep the dream alive.Stephen Ireland made the breakthrough in this first leg 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 (penalty) and substitute Jose Guerrero handing the Bundesliga high-fliers a 3-1 victory.Hughes said: "It will be difficult to claw back but we are certainly not out of the competition."We have shown time and again we can score goals at Eastlands. We have players capable of causing Hamburg problems as we showed tonight."So we have got to pick ourselves up and it will be a big night for the second leg ."We are still in this tie and we are not going to concede it now. We have got to be positive."We are fully committed to the second leg and will give it a real go because we have to."City had Shay Given to thank as he made a string of superb saves to keep them in the tie.Hughes said: "He is an outstanding goalkeeper, who is there to make crucial saves."When you are up against a quality side like Hamburg, who are at home, they will have chances."We have to defend them and Shay to save them but that situation happens in every game."Hughes also expressed his concern at a lengthening injury list.Benjani Mwaruwari re-ruptured his thigh muscle, Craig Bellamy suffered a knee injury while Shaun Wright-Phillips has a ankle problem.Hughes added: "That made it difficult for us and we did not have that extra energy needed in a game like this."Hamburg coach Martin Jol's only complaint was that his side did not win by a bigger margin."I would have preferred it if we had got another goal, " said the former Tottenham boss."We know it will be difficult if they score first next week but overall I am very happy."

Source: Eurosport