Manchester City have reached the last 32 of the Europa League with a game to spare after a comfortable 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg at Eastlands. City made it ten games unbeaten at home in Europe with a competent performance as the snow came down in Manchester.
The Austrian's were neat in possession but rarely threatened whilst the host's barely got out of second gear but always looked capable of scoring.
Mario Balotelli scored a brace and Adam Johnson scored a fine sole effort as City looked good in possession if at times their final ball was disappointing.
Balotelli opened the scoring after 18 minutes with a fine volley from Pablo Zabaleta cross.
Fortune favoured the Italian for his second when Patrick Vieira's mishit shot presented him with an open goal.
Johnson, who had the City fans purring throughout, gave them the goal they wanted when he weaved past three defender's and slotted past Gerhard Tremmel.
Salzburg went close on a couple of occasions and Shay Given saved from Stefan Hierlander, but the Austrian outfit were second best for most of the match.
Referee: Libor Kovarik (Czech Republic)
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium Attendance: 37,552
Man City scorers: Balotelli 18, 65, A Johnson 78 Salzburg scorers:
MAN CITY 01 Given 05 Zabaleta 17 Boateng 19 Lescott 28 Kolo Toure (Richards 81) 07 Milner 08 Wright-Phillips 11 A Johnson 24 Vieira 27 Jo 45 Balotelli (Adebayor 71)
Substitutes 25 Hart, 02 Richards, 13 Kolarov, 18 Barry, 21 Silva, 34 De Jong, 09 Adebayor
SALZBURG 28 Tremmel 05 Afolabi (yellow card) 15 Schiemer 23 Sekagya (yellow card) 36 Hinteregger (Svento 46) 04 Mendes Da Silva (Augustinussen 67) 19 Cziommer (Alan 57) 22 Hierlander 24 Leitgeb 14 Jakob Jantscher 43 Joaquin Boghossian (yellow card)
Substitutes 33 Walke, 18 Svento, 35 Offenbacher, 08 Augustinussen, 11 Zarate, 27 Alan, 29 Ngwat-Mahop
