Hughes hails `big effort'

Posted Wednesday, September 23, 2009 by PA

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes praised his side after they fought back to seal a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Fulham.

Skipper Kolo Toure scored the decisive goal in the 111th minute at Eastlands.

It was just the boost City were looking for after the late, late defeat by Manchester United on Sunday.

However Fulham made it hard for them with Zoltan Gera scoring a wonderful opening goal, only for Gareth Barry to pull City level.

Hughes said: "They are very well organised and got plenty of people behind the ball. It was difficult to break them down. We had to be patient.

"We stuck at it and are in the hat for the next round which was the order of the day. We are pleased about that.

"You have got to understand how much effort and how much emotion there was in the derby. The players were a little bit drained but kept going. Obviously coming from behind is difficult.

"The majority of their team had not played at the weekend. They were energetic. In extra time a few of our guys were out on their feet. It was a big effort from everyone."

Both City's goals came following corners and Hughes is pleased they have added that to their game.

He said: "We did not look a threat from set plays last year . But now we do.

"We needed to step up and ask a few more questions of Fulham in the second half. We had to be a bit more forceful and we were."

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was proud of his second string side.

"I was disappointed we could not take it to penalties but I am not disappointed with the team as they gave me everything, " he said.

"I thought we could give Manchester City a game and make it difficult for them. But we took it to an even better level.

"To find ourselves at 1-1 going into extra time was more than we could have hoped for but we deserved it. I have got a pretty good idea now of which players I can trust."