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The young striker made his sixth substitute appearance of the season when replacing Ched Evans, the Welshman forced off before the break after taking a blow to the knee.
With all the plaudits heading Robinho’s way after the Brazilian’s hat-trick it could be forgotten that goals two and three were set up thanks to assists from Sturridge, but the Manager is happy to give credit where it’s due.
He says, “If there is a criticism of Daniel on occasion it’s that when he comes on, he is so desperate to do well he’s picked the wrong option. He maybe shoots when he should pass, and pass when he should shoot, but that was not the case against Stoke. I thought he was excellent, he linked up really well and picked out people in key areas.”
Sunday also saw City’s first clean sheet since the demolition of Portsmouth in September, something that pleased Hughes especially with enforced changes to the back four in mind.
He continues, “We have not had the luxury of a settled back four, there have been lots of changes in defence from the start of the season. We’ve not had a rock-solid defensive base to use as a springboard to attack, but on Sunday we stuck at it and showed the mentality that we were not going to get beaten. As a consequence that freed everybody in front to have the confidence of knowing they were not going to concede at the other end.”
Reflecting further on Sunday, City’s attacking play drew more plaudits from the boss, who added:
“What was impressive was the appreciation of the pass and of situations as they developed. More often than not, the angles to our passing took people out of the game and opened up the bigger picture. With Shaun on one side, Robinho and Stevie Ireland on the other, they can all makes things happen and it was an impressive attacking performance.”
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