Hughes to maintain Lescott pursuit

The Manchester City boss awoke to news of Moyes' stinging attack on the Blues' pursuit of Lescott, who has had a transfer request turned down after bids of £15million and £18million failed to prise him away from Goodison Park.

"I have said before when a deal has run its course we would be prepared to walk away. At this moment in time, we are still to arrive at that position. Our interest is not finished yet," said Hughes.

"The headlines were quite predictable. I am not surprised David feels a bit aggrieved with the situation, you always are when a big club comes along trying to acquire one of your better players.

"You never want them to leave but we feel we are doing things the right way and through the proper channels."

In his withering attack, Moyes suggested instead of a vague reference to the "men who make the decisions at Everton" Hughes should have phoned the Scot direct.

"I could pick up the phone and ring David very easily. I would ask him whether I could have his player, he would say no and I would have to put the telephone down. What would be the point of that?" he said.

"The thing is we haven't put this into the public domain. Everton did that on their website."

New-boy Emmmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland gave Manchester City an opening-day 2-0 win at Blackburn and Rovers boss Sam Allardyce was disappointed with his side's performance.

"We are disappointed to get nothing out of the game," he said. "Shay Given made a number of really top class saves but it wasn't our day."