The speed at which City launched their attacks was still causing Aalborg problems, however, and Zaza had to deny Richards from a tight angle after Robinho's precise pass found the full-back rampaging down the right.
The pair then switched roles and Kalou teed up a one-on-one chance for his fellow Ivorian with a glorious pass but Foster narrowed the angle expertly to pull off the first of a series of impressive saves.
Finally, the home side found the breakthrough their dominance deserved, Martyn Williams checking the Quins defence before his pop-pass found Hewitt cutting a superb angle.
