The sending off of defender Pablo Zabaleta changed the momentum of Manchester City's performance against Wigan according to manager Mark Hughes.

City were down 1-0 before Martin Petrov equalised but they were then reduced to ten men when Zabaleta received a second yellow card and Hughes says that was the point of the game that changed their momentum.

"Given the circumstances going down to 10-men it is always difficult but we stuck at it and we were disappointed to concede just before half-time because up till then I thought we looked quite comfortable in the first-half," Hughes said.

"Obviously we got back on level terms and I thought we would go on to win the game but obviously the sending off changed our momentum.

"But we stuck at it and weren't to be denied and got something out of the game that maybe last year we wouldn't have been able to.

"I thought the first one was a little harsh both guys just clashed knees but the second one I don't think Pablo has touched the guy, the guy has hurdled his leg but obviously if your on a booking the likelihood if you go to ground is that you will get sent off and I can understand why he got sent off."