MARK Hughes revealed how last year's painful defeat at Brighton was the driving force behind City's slick Carling Cup victory over Crystal Palace on Thursday night.
Shaun Wright-Phillips and new boy Carlos Tevez scored, while new signing Joleon Lescott also made his debut in a full strength side.
“It was once bitten, twice shy for us,” said Hughes. “Last season we went down to Brighton, made changes and got knocked out.
“We are not in Europe this season, that is one less competition for us, and we want to do as well as we can in the ones we are in.”
Hughes backed Tevez to stay on the goal trail after the Argentinian scored with a header from Wright-Phillips’ corner to kill off Palace.
Tevez, who hit 34 goals in two seasons for Manchester United, found the net for the first time since swapping red for light blue.
“That was important for him,” said Hughes.
Tevez goal
“I hoped he would get opportunities and he was able to get off the mark. His energy and enthusiasm for the game shone through.
“The more he plays for us, the better he will become. We’ve got Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos off the mark now so we are delighted.”
Hughes was also pleased to get Lescott’s debut out of the way following his protracted, and at times acrimonious, £22milion switch from Everton.
“He did fine,” added Hughes.
“He only had 24 hours and one training session with us. But we got clearance for him to play and it was important to get him in the team as soon as possible.”
Eagles boss Neil Warnock tipped City to break into the Barclays Premier League top three this season after seeing at first hand just how the Eastlands revolution is progressing.
“I think they’ll finish in the top three, let alone the top four,” he said.
“It’s nice to watch a few feathers getting ruffled and that’s what they are going to do at the top of the Premier League.”
What do you think? Have your say.
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Peter Beagrie`s beagle (28/08/2009 at 09:33)
It would be good if he is right about top three, but I still think we need to be more organised at the back, we still look a bit shaky at times, but once that is sorted we are very strong right through the side. CTID
Zagreb Exile, Zagreb, Croatia (28/08/2009 at 09:44)
George Kane, Stretford (28/08/2009 at 09:46)
Aidan, Chorlton (28/08/2009 at 09:53)
Apparently Platini says that bank loans will be okay in providing revenue. That looks after Madrid with their soft loans and political/business connections in Spain. And aren't we the taxpayers helping to prop up Liverpool's current ownership with RBS's £350m loan?
The fact that we don't have any debt has to be addressed in UEFA's thinking and it seems that sugar daddy's are a bad thing, especially as now a certain Russian has told Platini that he can't afford to be one any more.
The new model of sustainability will apparently be based on revenues only. But of course being part of the Champions League year after year guarantees large revenues denied to the clubs outside. The Guardian points out that Arsenal have incurred huge debts on the capital side with their new stadium while their revenue sheet looks relatively rosey. Reading all the quotes from UEFA throws up all sorts of inconsistent thinking.
If UEFA really are serious about fairness, then perhaps they should be looking more at the US sports model of drafts and player trading, although free agency allows teams like the Yankees to stay competitive. Otherwise if I were the Sheikh,I would be hiring the best set of competition lawyers in the City to monitor any attempt to protect the current closed shop.
The Admiral Mann (28/08/2009 at 09:56)
We wont win the league this season,but we will win a TROPHY and finish 2nd or 3rd.
Tosh - Reddish, Reddish (28/08/2009 at 10:01)
What time today will Angeleri be arriving to sign?
Bulman, Bolton, Gtr Manchester (28/08/2009 at 10:01)
Bulman, Bolton, Gtr Manchester (28/08/2009 at 10:02)
AlexC83, Manchester (28/08/2009 at 10:05)
I wouldn't worry about it - surely Sheik Mansour could just arrange a friendly with his UAE team and pay us £300m for the privilege - that would class as revenue then wouldn't it? Or have the worlds largest sponsorship deal on the stadium or something for the same amount: I'd let him call it the 'Sheik Mansour' Stadium if needs be...
Dunnie's Mince, GX (28/08/2009 at 10:06)
Al, Buxton (28/08/2009 at 10:07)
Peter Doherty. As good as it gets. (Debt free) , Levenshulme (28/08/2009 at 10:08)
28/08/2009 at 09:53
Apart from the fact they'd have to frame a law that allows for debt and doesn't allow for solvency I reckon the easy way around it for the Sheik is to have one of his companies sponsor our shirts for, say, 150 million a year, problem solved. However, the assinine Platini rocking up to the European Parliament with letters of commendation from a Russian gangster pleading to be allowed to bring in laws specifically to stop one club from winning trophies beggars belief... He'd be laughed out of his preposterously overpaid job....
Peter Doherty. As good as it gets. (Debt free) , Levenshulme (28/08/2009 at 10:09)
Roca Juniors N.o. 10, Looking through the Transfer Window (28/08/2009 at 10:11)
BristolStevefromOldham, bristol (28/08/2009 at 10:19)
st helens blue(exiled) (28/08/2009 at 10:20)
Teams will now raise there game by at least 10% because they want to beat us. That is a fact.I could just sense Sky wanting us to come a cropper last night,however with the different grit and determination we are now showing we came through a tricky perios in the game.We looked awesome going forward and could easily have scored more. Onwards and upwards I say.Well done boys..
stevemac1, Dublin (28/08/2009 at 10:21)
One real area of weakness is at full back. Richards is going to be targetted by much better teams who will create a lot more dangerous positions then Palace did. And they created a lot. This needs to be addressed and quickly.
Another area of concern to me is Robinho. While he gets involved and has some nice touches where is the finishing that we saw last year. His shooting seems way off the mark and he flips in and out of games.
jerseyblue, jersey (28/08/2009 at 10:23)
Mourinho at chelsea had problems with Joe cole initially for giving ball away. SWP never made it their for same.
I am not criticising SWP. That style is city and beautiful to watch. just dont blame defence when often they have no protection.
think we will see Kompany between Ireland and Barry. Will mean dropping Robbie, Tevez or SWP though, and how can he drop SWP at mo?
Ave It! (28/08/2009 at 10:28)
Aidan, Chorlton (28/08/2009 at 10:29)
Jack Thorley Trafford, Timperley (28/08/2009 at 10:30)
While I love the commitment of Zabaleta his lack of pace would be exposed at right back,it's time to give Ned a chance!
Audenshaw Bob (28/08/2009 at 10:32)
Which is the best side:
Corrigan Clements Donachie Booth Watson Power Viljoen Bell Kidd Hartford Barnes
Subs: MacRae, Keegan, P.Futcher, Henry, Coughlin
or
Given Richards Toure Lescott Bridge Wright-Phillips Ireland Barry Tevez Adebayor Robinho
Subs: Taylor, Onuoha, Zabaleta, Petrov, Weiss, De Jong Bellamy
I was discussing this in the Punchbowl last night with two chums. We all pipped for the current side.
Giles, Voice of City Fans, .
28/08/2009 at 08:32
ablueneville, Somewhere in yorkshire (28/08/2009 at 10:32)
ted knott, droylsden (28/08/2009 at 10:36)
Ron, Gorton (28/08/2009 at 10:36)