'We can get even better'

Manchester City's record signing Robinho embarks on his trademark celebration after scoring in their Premiership match against Portsmouth on Sunday. Robinho put in a blistering performance as City thumped Pompey 6-0.Photo: AFP

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes fired a warning to the rest of the Premier League that his side will get even better after watching them thrash Portsmouth 6-0 at Eastlands.
Just minutes after the club announced that the formal takeover of the club by the Abu Dhabi United Group will be completed on Tuesday, City turned on the style with a stunning display which severely embarrassed last season's FA Cup winners.
Brazilian strikers Robinho and Jo got on the scoresheet while Richard Dunne, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ched Evans and Gelson Fernandes also took advantage of some shocking defending by Portsmouth.
Hughes, the former Wales and Blackburn boss, described his team's performance as "fantastic" and said Sunday's victory was his most satisfying display as a manager.
But he insisted that his team was young enough to improve further and challenge for a place in the top four.
"It was the manner of the victory that impressed me the most," said Hughes, as his side moved into fifth spot in the table, three points behind early season leaders Arsenal.
"It's been a fantastic day for us with some exceptional personal performances in a great team display.
"But it's still a young team. They are only going to get better. We have set ourselves standards and the key is to build on today and strive to greater heights."
Robinho was outstanding. As early as the third minute he forced David James, who had a miserable return to his former club, into a save before setting fellow Brazilian Jo on his way, the former CSKA Moscow striker skipping past the advancing Portsmouth keeper before rolling the ball into the net.
Portsmouth were 2-0 down at half-time, Dunne tapping home his first Premier League goal since October 2006 after Elano's corner had hit the bottom of the post and rebounded into his path.
Robinho then made it two goals in as many Premier League appearances since his British record 32.5 million pounds move from Real Madrid before Wright-Phillips sparked joyous scenes with his first goal at Eastlands since re-signing from Chelsea.
Portsmouth were shell-shocked yet their troubles were far from over. Teenage substitute Evans made it 5-0 as he took advantage of more chaotic defending before James allowed Fernandes to complete City's biggest Premier League victory.
"At 4-0 the game was effectively over, but the level in performance did not drop," added Hughes. "In the end I was taking players off to allow them to get standing ovations."
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp labelled his side's defending "abysmal."
"I didn't see that result coming because we have just had three fantastic wins," he said. "I'm bitterly disappointed. We gave away some poor goals and our defensive play was abysmal. It was a catalogue of errors.
"We will have a look at the video and look at the goals we conceded. It's out of character because last season we had the second best away record in the league. It's only two weeks ago that we were celebrating a 3-0 win at Everton."