Manchester City manager Mark Hughes today hailed goalkeeper Shay Given for the penalty shoot-out saves against Aalborg that clinched a place in the UEFA Cup quarter finals.

City beat their Danish rivals 4-3 on penalties after seeing a 2-0 first leg lead wiped with goals by former Sheffield United striker Luton Shelton and Michael Jakobsen, from the penalty spot, in a dramatic last five minutes at the Energi Nord Arena.

Given (right), signed from Newcastle for a reported £8million on the final day of the January transfer window, then came to City's rescue by saving in the shoot-out from Thomas Augustinussen and Shelton.

A relieved Hughes said: "Knowing Shay was between the sticks for us gave the lads real confidence. I think the lads going up for the penalties had a real belief Shay would play a hand."

The win kept alive City's hopes of winning a first major piece of silverware since 1976. Hughes went on: "Maybe lady luck is smiling on us and maybe that is a good sign. We know we can play better than we did here."