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Stoke were hit by a hefty Manchester City blow losing 7-2 at the Etihad Stadium
Mark Hughes' side recovered from a 3-0 deficit to make the score 3-2
But four assists by Kevin De Bruyne saw Stoke concede seven goals on Saturday
Hughes defended his side calling De Bruyne the best in the Premier League
Stoke's boss also defended his selection of teenager Thomas Edwards

Published: 14:55 EDT, 14 October 2017 | Updated: 07:04 EDT, 15 October 2017

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Mark Hughes hailed Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne as the best player in the Premier League but insisted he still had no regrets pitching in 18-year-old defender Thomas Edwards for a torrid debut at The Etihad Stadium.

Stoke's teenage right-back had an eventful afternoon. After being tormented by Leroy Sane as Manchester City raced into a 3-0 lead, he recovered to set up Stoke's second goal but was then carried off with an ankle injury.

Hughes refused to lambast the youngster or any of his team-mates after a 7-2 hammering.

Kevin De Bruyne has been praised by Stoke boss Mark Hughes after assisting five goals

Manchester City ran out 7-2 victors over the Potters at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon

'We have come up against a sensational team and been found wanting,' he admitted.

'They have De Bruyne who is head and shoulders above any player in the Premier League in my view in because of the way he can dictate and effect the game.

'At 3-2, we had a chance but he grabbed the initiative and decided it wasn't acceptable for the game to be that close.'

City fired past Stoke to move clear of Manchester United at the Premier League summit

While Hughes could merely stand and watch his side being taken apart by their hosts

De Bruyne ended the game with five assists but Edwards' day lasted only 53 minutes after being caught on the ankle by a challenge from Fabian Delph.

Hughes hopes the experience will benefit the teenager in the long term. 'We didn't have too many options to be fair and he deserved his chance. If he hadn' t had an injury in pre-season he would have played before now, ' said the Stoke boss.

'It is a learning experience, not only for him, and he will better for it. There were a number of their goals that were hard to defend against.

'We hope the injury he has got isn't too significant. He has a bruised ankle, it is a little bit swollen.'