Given made four outstanding one-on-one saves to deny Afonso Alves and ensure City emerged deserved victors in their Barclays Premier League duel with Middlesbrough.

Signed on Sunday from Newcastle for a bargain £6million, Given immediately repaid a large chunk on his transfer fee, edging man-of-the-match honours from matchwinner Craig Bellamy.

Although Joe Hart has shown enough promise in the last 18 months to earn an England cap, Hughes felt he needed more experience in a team he has changed virtually beyond all recognition.

And nothing in Given's performance this afternoon has altered that view.

"I can't remember a better goalkeeping debut than that," said Hughes.

"Whatever Shay was asked to do he did it without any real theatre. He was very composed and had a calming influence on our back four.

"People may argue about who is better in those situation but very few are as good as Shay and we are delighted he is here.

"Over the course of a season the keeper has such an impact on what you do. He is going to help us immensely."

Hughes must have been hugely satisfied that two of his four January signings played such a major role in City's latest success.

Bellamy is a former team-mate of Given's from his brief spell at Newcastle.

And, although the tigerish Welshman had one of his quieter afternoons, he was not going to spurn the chance offered six minutes into the second period when Emanuel Pogatetz failed to close him down, rifling a shot into the bottom corner.

"Craig is doing really well," said Hughes.

"It shows the value of going into the market for guys who understand the Premier League and have experience of it.

"They can come in and hit the ground running, which is exactly what Craig has done. We are delighted with the impact he is having."

If Hughes is satisfied with how the transfer window went, even though City missed out on number one target Kaka, for Boro there is only a growing sense of frustration.

Gareth Southgate's only new arrival was Marlon King, who has joined on loan from Wigan in a deal that saw Mido move the other way.

But King was a virtual passenger in a Boro side that has now gone 13 games without a win and seems destined for a long fight against the drop.

Southgate can count on the support of chairman Steve Gibson and has vowed to see the scrap through to its conclusion.

"There is no chance of me walking out on this challenge," he said. "I am not shirking my responsibility.

"The fortunate thing for us is that the league is so tight but we probably need five wins to stay in the division."

Indeed, Southgate was able to reflect on one of Boro's better performances in recent times which admittedly does not say much for the rest.

Apart from the chances Alves was unable to take, the Teessiders were a muted force and had their own keeper Brad Jones to thank that the eventual margin of defeat was not much worse.

"It would be easy to be critical of our finishing but you have to remember Given produced some brilliant saves," said Southgate, who confirmed central defender Chris Riggott will need a scan after limping off with what appeared to be a twisted knee.

"It is frustrating because I thought we did the majority of things right. We are not where we are because of performances like that.

"The players just need a break but the positive thing is we don't have anyone ducking the challenge. No-one is hiding."