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Thursday night’s exertions in the sub-zero temperatures at the Parken Stadium were swiftly followed by a return to home base and then the stiff challenge of playing title-chasing Liverpool. City only used 13 players in both fixtures, including substitute Felipe Caicedo, and the resolute defensive display in the closing stages at Anfield bore out the boss’ regular assertion that his sides never flag as a long season progresses.
“Sunday was a big ask, because we had worked so hard on Thursday night," he states. "After that late goal we had to pick ourselves up for the challenge at Liverpool, and we showed that. Every player put in a stint and showed we could come away with something from Anfield. It’s a sign that the team is gelling and we have to keep going.
“I was pleased because I do feel that the team will benefit from the work they do on a daily basis, and that’s been the case for some time now.
“You can see signs that physically we are able to match and hit the levels that you need to win Premier League games, because as we know this is a hard league. If you cannot get around the pitch, you will get beaten, and Sunday’s performance was very encouraging from that perspective.”
Another encouraging aspect of the display at Anfield was effectiveness of a new midfield unit for the Blues – Nigel de Jong (ineligible for the UEFA Cup), Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta. The trio held an increasingly desperate Liverpool at bay, and made inroads up front, with Vincent Kompany setting up Craig Bellamy for the strike that was later chalked up as an Arbeloa own-goal.
Pleased with the midfield, Hughes added, “They are international players who recognise when to break forward, and they did that well. The initial part is breaking play down, setting a tempo and getting onto the front foot. The midfield three did that from start to finish.”
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