Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is happy with the expectations of being a top four challenger, though insists the reality suggests something different.

"We are talking about a short period of time, so we have done really well in changing people's perceptions to the point where some see us as a real threat to the so-called big four clubs," he said.

"We are comfortable with that, but the top four have been playing high-profile games for years and years at a high level, week-in, week-out.

"Their expectations, and their ability to deal with them, is something they have experienced over a longer period than we have.

"That doesn't mean that on any given day we can't overcome those big four clubs, because in the past we have proved that we can."