Man City v Aris Europa Cup Feb 2011

With this emphatic easy win over Aris FC City are set to meet Dynamo Kiev in the last 16 of the Europa Cup in a couple of weeks time. The game was all but over in the first 12 minutes with Dzeko scoring two fine goals - the first with his right foot , the second with his left. He should have got his hat-trick just before half time but failed to beat the keeper in a 1 to 1 situation. City really dominated the game their passing being ' just like Barcelona'! Starting the game with some urgency and pace the Greek side never really had a chance despite the wonderful support of their fans. Joe Hart hardly had a moments concern throughout the game. Yaya Toure played with Barry just in front of the back four and they both had good games Yaya scoring City's third via a deflection. The only worry was an injury to Kompany in the first half but now such is the flexibility in the City defence that his substitution did not cause any problems. The combination of Tevez, Balotelli, Dzeko and Silva worked very well. For once Mario wasn't too stroppy and hit the post while Silva and Tevez worked their socks off creating chances. Overall an excellent display and with many more home games in the next few weeks to come City supporters will be looking forward to more goals from boring boring City !

It's not often I give a special spread to visiting supporters but they gave magnificent support to their team from the moment they arrived in the stadium. Their voices were often louder than the loudspeakers inside the ground and their jumping antics certainly kept them fit and probably very tired later.

City put out a very strong attacking side for this tie with Balotelli, Tevez and Dzeko leading the attack. Boateng came in for the injured Richards and Kompany returned to central defence.

Balotelli was soon in action but he was brought down just outside the area within the first minute

The free kick taken by Kolarov went sailing over the bar alas

Our disappointment did not last long. A long clarence by Kolarov was mis-controlled by Lazaridis and Dzeko went on to place the ball past the keeper and just inside the post to give City the lead after just 6 minutes

It was a well taken goal - his third for the club

He was obviously delighted with his success as were the supporters

A couple of minutes and Tevez had a shot but his effort went straight at the keeper

After 11 minutes Tevez gave a good pass to Dzeko.......

........... who came inside Michel and this time with his left foot placed the ball past Sifakis to put City two up
A word of praise for referee Kralovec who allowed play to continue after a foul on Kolarov earlier in the move

Thanks to on form Dzeko City were off to a great start

However Kolarov was well off the mark with his efforts

Balotelli needs three defenders to keep him in check

Our Chairman was there last night and on his own a few rows back is that the Everton manager checking our possible 6th round opponents!

A cross by David Silva gives the Aris defence plenty to worry about

Tevez and Brazilian Neto exchange a few words before the Aris defender gets a yellow card for his foul

Just before half time a terrific pass by Silva found Dzeko but the keeper managed to block the effort and alas no hat-trick

The excellent referee from the Czech Republic has to have a word with the Greek team defenders

After 65 minutes Balotelli had a great chance......

...but his shot hit the post and was cleared

A centre by Silva almost reached Balotelli but the keeper just managed to deflect the ball

On 75 minutes City scored their third goal. Following a corner the ball ran out to Yaya Toure who hit the ball from distance. The ball was deflected past the keeper and it was game over

City now pretty well controlled the game and though Joe Hart did have a little to do just before the final whistle it was a comfortable win