Hughes backs Man City slickers after loss

MANCHESTER CITY manager Mark Hughes is convinced his expensively-assembled side can still reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.

Hughes believes they have enough firepower at Eastlands to overturn a two-goal deficit against Hamburg. However, City will have to defend better than they did at the Nordbank Arena, losing 3-1, to keep the dream alive.

Midfielder Stephen Ireland made the breakthrough after only 35 seconds following a delightful build-up with Robinho, but that resulted in an onslaught from the Bundesliga high-fliers which City could not withstand.

Hughes said: "We are certainly not out. We have players capable of causing Hamburg problems as we showed last night."