Manchester City extended their unbeaten home record in Europe to eleven games with a comfortable 3-0 win over Aris Salonika at Eastlands, in the second leg of their Europa League last 32 tie. This was the first time City had hosted a Greek team in Europe and they had little difficulty in seeing off their opponents 3-0 on aggregate after a scoreless first leg.
In fact Roberto Mancini's side had the perfect start as they raced into a 2-0 goal lead inside the first 12 minutes thanks to £27m striker Edin Dzeko who finally was justifying his hefty fee.
The first strike took advantage of some sloppy Salonika defending and the second just five minutes later, following a quick break, saw the Bosnian striker curl his fourth goal of his City career.
Despite seeing all their Europa League hopes evaporate so soon the Greek fans behind the goal continued to out-shout their home counterparts.
In fact Dzeko should have completed a first half hat-trick but failed to finish as expertly as in those opening minutes.
The second half saw Salonika take up a more attacking formation but rarely threatened a fight back and it was the home side who continued to look the most likely to add to their score.
Mario Balotelli, who again looked far from happy with life, hit a post and with the game fading into a slow paced practise game City made it three with 15 minutes remaining.
A corner was only cleared to Yaya Toure who from 25 yards hit a shot which took a deflection on its way into goal. This was the Ivory Coast international's fifth goal for City
Manchester City must now prepare for a clash with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League last 16.
Referee: Pavel Kralovec (CZE)
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium Attendance: 36,748
Man City scorers: Dzeko 7 12, Y Toure 75 Salonika scorers:
MAN CITY 25 Hart 04 Kompany (Zabaleta 35) 13 Kolarov (yellow card) 17 Boateng 19 Lescott 18 Barry 21 Silva (Wright-Phillips 80) 42 Y Toure 10 Dzeko 32 Tevez (Vieira 79) 45 Balotelli
Substitutes 12 Taylor, 05 Zabaleta, 28 K Toure, 57 Wabara, 08 Wright-Phillips, 24 Vieira, 27 Jo
SALONIKA 13 Michail Sifakis 02 Neto (yellow card) (Kaznaferis 79) 05 Guiaro 16 Michel 24 Lazaridis 32 Vangeli (yellow card) 08 Toja 14 Faty 55 Prittas (yellow card) 22 Bobadilla (Koke 61) 88 Sakata (Mendrinos 46)
Substitutes 25 Juanma, 03 Oriol, 17 Kaznaferis, 19 Mendrinos, 09 Cesarec, 10 Koke
