Adebayor, the £25million arrival from Arsenal, grabbed the only goal of the game at Portsmouth, his third in as many Barclays Premier League games, as City maintained their 100% start to the season.

"It's clear to see he is happy where he is," said Hughes. "He's enjoying playing with good players again and the fans love him. That maybe was missing from his life before.

"I thought he was superb. There was a lot said about Ade as a player and a person - a lot of it with a negative slant. You can only judge people on how you find them and he's come in and wants to be successful. Those negative things people said I haven't seen.

"He's enjoying the team he's in. He could be at the start of something special and wants to play a big part in that."

Hughes expects "something special" to happen at City this year and was encouraged by holding on to Adebayor's goal at Fratton Park, surviving late scares when David Nugent scuffed from close range.

"Last season we were in similar situations and at times we went under on those occasions," Hughes said. "I sense now that happens they thrive on it rather being apprehensive about it. That is a shift in mentality.

"We'll have stronger tests. I just sense that I have players who are confident. When you go into games against Arsenal (City's next opponents) you have to go in with confidence."

Adebayor struck on the half-hour mark, heading home from Gareth Barry's inswinging corner.

Micah Richards had a goal chalked off before the break and then limped off with a knee injury.

"There is more time needed in terms of developing the group and team-mates understanding the qualities," Hughes added. "We're early in terms of that but I'm encouraged."

Hughes confirmed there are talks over Brian Kidd coming to the club as they look to revamp their academy.

Portsmouth manager Paul Hart, meanwhile, was encouraged by his side's performance as they look for their first points of the season.

He said: "I thought we played very well, I was pleased with the way we went about our job. I think we lacked a bit of forward movement because when we got behind them we caused them problems.

"It was a great opportunity (for David Nugent) to score at the end and I'm disappointed we didn't."

England goalkeeper David James was missing with bone bruising to his knee but he has also been linked with a move away from Pompey following the departure of high-profile players such as Glen Johnson, Sylvain Distin, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch.

"He's the best goalkeeper in England," said Hart, who insists his goalkeeper has not asked to move. "At the moment he's injured so you would think that would limit it."

Sulaiman Al Fahim, who fronted the consortium that bought City a year ago, was sat in the crowd four days after it was announced an agreement had been made for him to buy Pompey from Alexandre Gaydamak.

"To get an end to that would be a bonus to everyone," said Hart, who has been working in limbo while Gaydamak has attempted to sell the club.

Hart met with Al Fahim before the game where he was wished "all the best".