Chris Hughton: It will be foolish to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City

The Seagulls are huge underdogs for the game against a City side who are still chasing the quadruple.

Hughton believes Albion have to contain City's array of attacking quality to have any chance of reaching the final against Watford or Wolves on May 18.

He said: "I think it's foolish to go toe to toe and I'm not embarrassed to say you have to try to contain them.

"They have too many options. If you feel you can take the game to them and play a very open game, they have so many strategies to open you up and that starts with a goalkeeper who can play a pass some 60 or 70 yards.

"The important thing is we stay in the game. Nobody knows at this moment how the game will pan out.

"We will want to start well because the last thing you need when you go into a game like this is to be very quickly out of the game.

"You need to stay in the game but if we were to be concentrated and determined in what we do and have a good structure about us, you're reliant on City not having one of their better days.

"If we are defeatist from the moment we walk onto the pitch there is only one outcome.

"To give us any chance at all we have to be positive about the way we want to approach the game."

Hughton was asked if playing Manchester City is the toughest challenge in Europe at the moment and said: "Yes I think it is. They made seven changes (against Cardiff) and still had 26 shots at goal last night and had close to 80 per cent possession.

"At this moment they are one of if not the best team in the world with an array of players that are top players. They're not only technically gifted, they are a fit side and a very motivated side hence the reason why they are going for all four trophies.

"They are an exceptional squad of players which makes the challenge even bigger."

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