MANCHESTER CITY manager Mark Hughes admitted his players’ display made him proud last night despite their UEFA Cup adventure coming to an end.

Hamburg advanced to the semi-finals 4-3 on aggregate following a pulsating second leg at Eastlands.

City gave it their all to win 2-1 on the night and among those applauding warmly at the end was chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

Hughes said: ‘‘It was a big night for everyone at the club for obvious reasons. We needed to make a statement and I think we did that with the level of our performance.

‘‘It was important we came out and showed people there are things happening here and we have ability.

‘‘When in the future we are able to produce it on a regular basis we will be a very difficult side to overcome. It is the beginning of a long journey.’’ On his meeting with Al Mubarak before the second leg, Hughes said: ‘‘It was fine, I am still here.’’ Yet City got off to a terrible start with Paolo Guerrero opening the scoring after just 11 minutes to give Hamburg a 4-1 lead.

Hughes saw his side battle back and goals from Elano (penalty) and Felipe Caicedo in the 16th and 50th minutes gave them hope.

But that was as good as it got and to complete City’s misery skipper Richard Dunne was sent off in the 75th minute.