Manchester City manager Mark Hughes insisted he was proud of the effort hon by his team, despite their exit from the Uefa Cup at the hands of Hamburg last night.

Winning 2-1 on the night, City at least they gave their fans, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Hughes, a performance to savour.

It was stirring stuff at Eastlands especially as Hamburg extended their aggregate lead in the quarter-final to 4-1 through Paolo Guerrero after just 11 minutes.

However City battled back and goals from Elano (penalty) and Felipe Caicedo in the 16th and 50th minutes gave them hope. But they were left cursing their luck as Elano twice saw superb free-kicks come back off the woodwork.

To compound their misery skipper Richard Dunne was sent off in the second half after collecting two yellow cards.

Al Mubarak, however, led the applause at the end after a spirited display.

Manager Mark Hughes said: "It was 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 long journey."

On his meeting with Al Mubarak before the second leg, Hughes said: "It was fine, I am still here."

Hughes was proud of his players' performance.

"It was a really poor start but we did not let that affect us. We picked ourselves up and got back on level terms very quickly,” he said.

"There was a real sense that we were trying to make something special happen and we almost achieved that goal. But unfortunately we did not get that break when we needed it."

Hamburg coach Martin Jol was delighted to clinch a semi-final against Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen.

"We started off very well and the goal helped a lot," said the former Tottenham boss. "Then we had a penalty given against us, which was a bit harsh.

"We knew if they got another goal it would be exciting again and that is what happened.

"But they did not score a third and that was great. I think over two legs we were the better side."