Manchester City boss Mark Hughes heaped praise on the finishing of Robinho after their 3-0 thumping of Arsenal.

He said: "I think it is only the second time in the Premier League we have been able to beat Arsenal, so it is a significant victory for us.

"We were good value for the win as well. We had a game plan and wanted to break up the rhythm of their play.

"We did not want them to dictate how the game was going to shape up. The players stuck to their task and caused them problems.''

Stephen Ireland made the breakthrough by chipping the ball over Almunia in first-half stoppage time.

Then Robinho, who had been away on international duty with Brazil in midweek, had the crowd on their feet with a superb strike and Danny Sturridge wrapped things up with a cool penalty.

Hughes said: "It was a fantastic finish by Robinho. When he is one v one with the goalkeeper you expect him to score.

"He will always demand the ball in key areas of the field and it was a great performance by him. Considering he only turned up from training yesterday, he was exceptional.''