Manchester City scored early but it proved to no avail as Hamburg rallied to win 3-1. Hamburg conceded after only 40 seconds to Manchester City in the Uefa Cup quarter-final first leg, but they quickly drew level and two second half strikes condemned City with a mountain to climb in the second leg at Eastlands.

Stephen Ireland slotted the Premier League side ahead after just 40 seconds but Hamburg quickly took control of the game and equalised on eight minutes with a Joris Mathisen header.

Shay Given gave City a glimmer of hope with a series of fine saves but was helpless when Piotr Trochowski converted a penalty after Micah Richards' handball.

Jose Paolo Guerrero gave the German side a two goal cushion when he converted at the far post.

Goalscorer Ireland admitted his side were "not brave enough."

He told ITV4: "We threw it away. We got off to a great start and didn't defend well enough or get back in shape. We're absolutely gutted but we have to return the favour back at our place.

"I think we can do the same to them. But they created more chances and put us under more pressure. We weren't really brave enough on the night."