Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is at a loss to explain The Citizens disappointing away league form. He told the Manchester Evening News, "Premier League away victories have been a struggle for us this season, but we've won away games in Europe quite regularly.

"We've found it more difficult away from home, but we're stronger than we were in the first half of the season.

"I've said this many times after away defeats. On occasion, we've played a little bit too open. We play a very expansive game, certainly at home, and we've got players who are technically very good.

"They want to get on the ball, to create things and try things in key areas of the field.

"Away from home, maybe the mindset has been similar and, as a consequence, we've paid the penalty for that.

"As an away side, you need sometimes to be nice and solid and have a defensive platform to enable you to take the opportunities as they arise."