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Hughes ready to put an end to big four
Manchester City, 12:46, October 24, 2009 ,
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes believes his side can end the dominance of the big four this season after their start to the campaign.
City, who face Fulham at home on Sunday looking to beat the Cottagers for the second time this season after knocking them out of the Carling Cup, are currently five points off top spot with a game in hand after a good start to the season.
The Eastlands outfit spent big in the summer in a bid to challenge for the Premier League title this season, but have so far been hampered by a number of injuries to their top names.
However, with all the sides in the 'big four' currently dropping points Hughes believes this could be the season someone breaks their monopoly on the Champions League places.
"When we go up against the top four teams, if we can do our work and take points off them, then that will help us in terms of the ambitions we have," said Hughes.
"Along the way, I'm convinced this year and as we've already seen, the top teams will lose more points than they've ever done.
"That's not with the benefit of hindsight. I sensed that at the beginning of the season.
"I just felt there were a lot of strong teams, ourselves included, that could cause those teams a problem."
Betting experts may fancy backing City with a free bet to break into the top four this season after spending so heavily and making a decent start to the season.