Manchester City manager Mark Hughes insisted he had no regrets about resting star buys Robinho and Shaun Wright-Phillips after his club crashed out of the Carling Cup at Brighton.
Hughes started six of the team which hammered Portsmouth 6-0 on Sunday for the first game since the Abu Dhabi United Group's £200million takeover was officially confirmed, but watched as they went out on penalties.
The game had gone into extra time after Glenn Murray cancelled out Gelson Fernandes' opener in the 89th minute.
On-loan substitute Joe Anyinsah then put Brighton ahead five minutes into extra time and City needed Stephen Ireland's equaliser 10 minutes later to force a shoot-out.
However, keeper Michel Kuipers saved a Michael Ball spot-kick and Matt Richards put the League One team through 5-3.
Hughes said: "We had a strong enough team out there to have won this game and I thought we looked very comfortable in the second half of normal time.
"We missed chances but should have been professional enough to have seen it through to the end once we had the lead. We were not able to do that and after we fell behind we were chasing the game."
City had been cruising after Gelson hit his second goal in two games to break through Brighton's stubborn defence.
Hughes added: "We showed character to get back and equalise after the late equaliser and then going behind in extra time but really we should have finished it off long before extra time and penalties.
"When it gets to penalties it can go either way. We are obviously disappointed to go out of any competition but at least tonight was an opportunity to see some of the players who need game-time.
"That need was evident at times but credit to Brighton for harrying and chasing everything down.
"The conditions shouldn't have been a problem. The dimensions of the pitch are the same in any match and they were very similar to some we've faced in Europe.
"We've still lots of games to face and I'm sure there will be many highs and lows to face. We can't dwell on this too long.
"The game should have been ours and of course there is a lot of focus on us now but there will be ups and downs for the foreseeable future."
Brighton boss Micky Adams refused to brag about his side's stunning success.
He said: "My lads were well up for it and we needed to do something big after losing to Walsall's nine men on Saturday.
"But I'm not going to crow about this because as a player and a manager I've been on the wrong end of these type of results and I know how it hurts.
"But all I can say is that my boys were spot-on for their endeavour and their pride and deserve great credit. There was no pressure on us but we certainly didn't want to embarrass ourselves again.
"I'm sure we surprised City. They had some terrific players out there but I think our shape and determination surprised them."
"I had a feeling before the start we would do something but what a response after the reception we got for our performance on Saturday when we tried all we could to score against nine men but couldn't.
"The players were hurting from that still and determined to give the fans something back tonight."
The game had gone into extra time after Glenn Murray cancelled out Gelson Fernandes' opener in the 89th minute.
On-loan substitute Joe Anyinsah then put Brighton ahead five minutes into extra time and City needed Stephen Ireland's equaliser 10 minutes later to force a shoot-out.
However, keeper Michel Kuipers saved a Michael Ball spot-kick and Matt Richards put the League One team through 5-3.
Hughes said: "We had a strong enough team out there to have won this game and I thought we looked very comfortable in the second half of normal time.
"We missed chances but should have been professional enough to have seen it through to the end once we had the lead. We were not able to do that and after we fell behind we were chasing the game."
City had been cruising after Gelson hit his second goal in two games to break through Brighton's stubborn defence.
Hughes added: "We showed character to get back and equalise after the late equaliser and then going behind in extra time but really we should have finished it off long before extra time and penalties.
"When it gets to penalties it can go either way. We are obviously disappointed to go out of any competition but at least tonight was an opportunity to see some of the players who need game-time.
"That need was evident at times but credit to Brighton for harrying and chasing everything down.
"The conditions shouldn't have been a problem. The dimensions of the pitch are the same in any match and they were very similar to some we've faced in Europe.
"We've still lots of games to face and I'm sure there will be many highs and lows to face. We can't dwell on this too long.
"The game should have been ours and of course there is a lot of focus on us now but there will be ups and downs for the foreseeable future."
Brighton boss Micky Adams refused to brag about his side's stunning success.
He said: "My lads were well up for it and we needed to do something big after losing to Walsall's nine men on Saturday.
"But I'm not going to crow about this because as a player and a manager I've been on the wrong end of these type of results and I know how it hurts.
"But all I can say is that my boys were spot-on for their endeavour and their pride and deserve great credit. There was no pressure on us but we certainly didn't want to embarrass ourselves again.
"I'm sure we surprised City. They had some terrific players out there but I think our shape and determination surprised them."
"I had a feeling before the start we would do something but what a response after the reception we got for our performance on Saturday when we tried all we could to score against nine men but couldn't.
"The players were hurting from that still and determined to give the fans something back tonight."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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