Turk dripping with class - Hughes

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes hailed Turkish veteran Tugay after his side's crucial Ewood Park win over Liverpool which sent them clear of the Barclays Premiership relegation zone.

The 36-year-old began the move which produced Benni McCarthy's match-winning 49th-minute goal and played a huge role in repelling the visitors' bid for an equaliser.

Hughes said: "Tugay is playing absolutely out of his skin at the moment. People say to me, 'don't you wish he was 10 years younger'? My answer is 'no', because if he was he would be at Barcelona."

But Hughes admitted he did not only have one man to thank for his side's vital victory, which came just three days after a humiliating 6-2 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel produced two crucial saves to deny Peter Crouch at point-blank range before maintaining Rovers' advantage by finger-tipping away a Xabi Alonso drive in the dying minutes.

Hughes added: "Brad was magnificent - he made some crucial saves, commanded the box and was an inspiration to everyone in front of him. I think everybody grew because of his presence on the field.

"I thought everybody was magnificent and there were some huge performances. We are a side that can't carry anyone and need everyone playing to their maximum - and that is what we had.

"It was a huge win for us and important we got back to winning ways. It was obviously difficult going in against Liverpool after being beaten 6-2 at Arsenal, but we showed some great qualities."