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| Manchester City's Italian forward Mario Balotelli (C) is fouled by Fulham's Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland (down) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Fulham at The City of Manchester stadium. Fine finishes from Balotelli and Damien Duff were the only brief highlights in an otherwise dire contest as Manchester City and Fulham shared the points. |
Hughes was sacked by City in December 2009 and this was his first return to the stadium in a professional capacity.
He watched his committed and passionate side come from a goal behind to earn a point and ensure City's Premier League title ambitions took another huge blow.
Hughes was replaced at City by Roberto Mancini and at the final whistle Hughes snatched his hand away from the Italian's grasp as he felt Mancini was not showing enough respect before he stormed down the tunnel.
The Fulham manager has previous history for falling out with fellow bosses after games and has had similar spats with Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Stoke City's Tony Pulis in the past.
He said: "It's probably my fault again but I'm a bit old fashioned and I always think that you offer your hand regardless of the circumstances.
"I had to offer my hand and do it with sincerity when we were beaten 4- 1 by City earlier this season.
"I was disappointed but I acknowledged that they were better and he deserved a handshake of sincerity.
"I don't think he really acknowledged the effort of my team when he offered his hand. I might have got the wrong impression but that was my take on it."
In a terrible encounter, neither goalkeeper had much to do until a moment of brilliance from Mario Balotelli after 26 minutes when he shrugged off the attentions of Danny Murphy and fired a low effort that left Mark Schwarzer no chance.
The rest of the first half remained just as dire as the opening stages and Fulham made City pay for their blas� attitude with a brilliant equaliser straight after the interval.
Andy Johnson's chased down a long through ball and fired in a superb low cross which found Damien Duff just seven yards out and he clinically slotted past Joe Hart. It was a wonderfully executed piece of skill and Fulham deserved the goal for the discipline and commitment they were showing.
After the break, frustrations continued to grow as City lacked the spark of class needed to hurt the visitors, who held on for a fine draw that leaves them four points off the relegation places.
Hughes added: "I enjoyed the performance of my team. I thought we were excellent from start to finish. We took the game to City and showed belief in what we are trying to do.
"Their goal was against the run of play and if you are 1-0 down at halftime at City, and given the quality of their home record, it looked a difficult task for us.
"We just needed a break and it came very early in the second half with a fantastic goal, great build up and a fantastic finish and then from that point on, the only disappointment is that we didn't take all three points."
Opposite number Mancini did not wish to be drawn into discussing the handshake incident and preferred to focus on his side's failings and in particular the selfishness of Balotelli who did little else but score.
He said: "For you maybe (the handshake) is more interesting than the match but not for me.
"I am disappointed with the result but I knew that this is an option when you play every three days and we have a few players injured at this moment. It can happen. Second half probably we were so tired.
"Today was very difficult. He scored a good goal but I am not happy. He should play well and better than today. For the strikers it is important to score. But strikers should also play for the team.
"Not just for Balotelli, for Carlos and Dzeko. They should always play with the team. Afterwards they should try and score. Mario can play better."
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