Manchester City boss Mark Hughes was pleased with victory over Wigan Athletic.

City returned to winning ways thanks to Pablo Zabaleta's first goal for the club in the 51st minute.

He showed good skill to rifle the ball home after Paul Scharner had only half-cleared a cross from Daniel Sturridge.

However, a minute later Richard Dunne was sent off by referee Lee Mason after lashing out at Amr Zaki and City just managed to hold out for a vital victory.

Hughes said: "Richard has held his hands up. He has reacted to a challenge.

"It was the second time Zaki had caught him across the face. He has retaliated, the referee has seen it and we accept it."

The potential £107million deal for Kaka has dominated the headlines this week and Hughes added: "It has been a difficult week preparing the team considering the interest (about Kaka) around the club.

"But we really stuck at our task. We had to dig in and beat a side that has been in arguably as good form as any recently in the Premier League."