Robin van Persie’s 62nd minute strike proved to be the catalyst for an inspired comeback, with three goals in 12 minutes delighting the home contingent of a record crowd at the City of Manchester Stadium.
It’s a sentiment echoed by the Manager, who still thinks the Blues have not yet hit top gear.
He declared: “I feel the mentality of the group is completely different, the whole dynamic of the dressing room has changed for the better. You can have a talented group of players, but if the mentality is wrong then you have no opportunity to win games in the hardest league in world football.
“Technically each and every one of them are good players, but collectively, when the mentality is right, there is no doubt of what we can achieve in the future.
“I thought we produced some great stuff, but I still think there’s more to come from us. The goals we scored were outstanding but I still feel we have not clicked. There’s more to come, and there is more potential in us, of that I am sure.”
The boss also praised the all-round contribution of Craig Bellamy, who capped a trademark, all-action display by bagging his first goal of the season.
“I thought Craig was outstanding,” Hughes continued, “along with a couple of others who have really made their mark so far, but Craig has been exceptional. He gives us that outlet, he has great energy, pace and is a guy who can carry the ball from one end of the field to the other it’s a great option for us.
“He drags people along with him, and at times we were a bit open because we broke with such pace. We were really dynamic on the break and Craig was really up there with Ade.”
Saturday’s win also saw the first appearance of the season for Nigel de Jong, and Hughes was pleased with the way that those on the fringes so far have contributed when called upon.
He added, “It’s important that they understand that they are a big part of what we are trying to do, and they do understand that. Everybody has to be ready, everybody has to be mentally and physically at the peak of their powers to be come in as & when they are needed.
“Nigel and Martin both did that against Arsenal. Nigel put in a huge amount of work, and that’s on the back of 90 minutes for Holland in midweek. That has to be factored in, a lot of guys out there were out on their feet, and for example Gareth Barry has had a lot of football in a short space of time. But, they were not be denied and credit to them.”
