De Jong at a loss to explain Man City form slide

Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong cannot explain their form slide.

The pressure is starting to mount on manager Mark Hughes after a record-breaking seventh successive draw in the Barclays Premier League, at home to Hull on Saturday.

"We have to sort it out," said the former Ajax and Hamburg man.

"We are frustrated at the way we played (against Hull), and the way we have played in the last couple of weeks at home.

"We have to dominate teams here, and that didn't happen. It was the seventh draw, so we don't get any closer to the top four.

"I would love to give you a reason (why City are drawing so many games) - if I could give you the reason, we would win all of our games.

"Maybe there is a lack of confidence in some situations. We try to keep our confidence high, especially when we play at home."

Manchester City 1-1 Hull City

Hull City fought back to earn a draw against Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League.


Jimmy Bullard drove home an 81st minute penalty to condemn Manchester City to a seventh successive draw at Eastlands.

Shaun Wright-Phillips' first half effort seemed to have secured victory for the hosts to end their unhappy streak.


But a spot-kick provided the perfect opportunity for Bullard to strike. And he did not let his team down.

Man City boss Hughes warns Tevez of future supersub role

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has hinted he sees Carlos Tevez as a supersub.

After another draw at Liverpool, Hughes has his hands full trying to keep everyone happy, from owners who want a return on their investment to players who struggle with the concept of squad utilisation.

Six straight draws suggest the first part could be going better, while saluting Tevez’s qualities as a substitute will do little for the second.

It wasn’t what the 25-year-old had in mind when he moved, but he may have to get used to it after going on in the second half and sparking a revival that almost left Rafa Benitez having to explain a sixth Barclays Premier League defeat of the season.

"Carlos has had a bit of a problem with his knee, but not starting him was a tactical thing," declared Hughes. "You are not going to go gung-ho at Anfield because the likelihood is you will concede goals.

"Once we went behind it was time to introduce him. It was always my intention to bring him on at some point, because of the impact he can have from the bench. He got us into a winning position which we didn’t see through.

"He won’t play every game, as a lot of others won’t, because we have a good squad. It has been frustrating for him."