FC Midtjylland 0 City 1 (agg 1-1 after extra time, City win 4-2 on penalties)

Could we have made that any closer?

I did predict that it would be tight and tipped us to go through on away goals, but didn't imagine it would be as nail biting as that.

Stuck in the office, I was in the hands of the BBC live text commentary and it didn't make for pretty reading (as don't most of the subsequent match reports) but managed to find a TV and catch the penalty shoot-out - which was certainly a nervy affair.

So often when a penalty is missed, the very next one is saved and it was a crucial stop by Hart (albeit it a generous height for him) and we never looked back as we sealed our place in the first round proper.

Hopes that we would build on the West Ham performance were not quite realised though and despite the signing of Wright-Phillips, there is still plenty for Mark Hughes to get to grips with as it has to be said over the two legs our opponents (who realistically we should have cruised past) can count themselves unfortunate to say the least.

Still, we are in tomorrows draw and we will see who that brings, although unless someone can correct me, we are not seeded so may well land a tricky tie to navigate to get through to the group stages of the competition.

Reaction

"It's a bit of a lottery with penalties but we're delighted we've overcome this hurdle.

Hughes added: "You're always relieved. There are no easy games; it's a cliche but in Europe there aren't. Look at the events of last night with Liverpool.

"We showed character. I saw qualities and values that I liked tonight."

>>Mark Hughes.

Reports

CITY goalkeeper Joe Hart was the hero as they fortuitously progressed to the UEFA Cup first round with a penalty shoot-out victory over FC Midtjylland. >>MEN.

Manchester City can look forward the Uefa Cup first round draw in Monaco after they survived European elimination courtesy of goalkeeper Joe Hart’s penalty-saving heroics and an 89th minute own goal from FC Midtjylland’s unfortunate Danny Califf. >>telegraph.co.uk.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart was Manchester City FC's hero as his two penalty shoot-out saves earned the English Premier League club a place in Friday's UEFA Cup first round draw at the expense of FC Midtjylland. >>uefa.com.

Manchester City have made it to the Uefa Cup - but only by the slenderest of margins after a huge stroke of luck in Denmark. >>guardian.co.uk.

Manchester City came through a penalty shoot-out as they scraped into the first round of the Uefa Cup, thanks to fine performance from Joe Hart, the England Under-21 goalkeeper. >>times online.