EB/Streymur 0 City 2

Unlike the trawler carrying a group of City fans that set out for the Faroe Islands, the team managed to negotiate the choppy waters that lay in front of them.

Although more goals would have been welcome, it was as comfortable a victory as predicted against a side that was as willing and hard working as expected, but lacked the quality to cause us problems.

The only real problems that we did encounter were the lack of match sharpness which was apparant in comparison to our opponents but given this was in reality our first game of the season it was unsurprising that it bore all of the traits of a pre-season fixture at a non-league side.

The game itself didn't teach us a great deal though. The performance was good enough without being exceptional, and there were one or two expected errors committed.

Team wise (and as feared), Hughes plumped for Vassell to partner Jo when I would have preferred Evans or Bianchi. With Benjani surprisingly ahead of Bianchi on the bench you have to wonder if despite Hughes's recent praise of him, whether Bianchi really does have a future at the club.

With Petrov looking impressive, I would have liked to have seen Garrido get the nod at left back as well as this would have given a real potent threat down the left, but it was interesting to see Hughes switch both Ireland and Petrov on occasion, with both players in an advanced position.

As for Jo, he looks to have a good touch and certainly has a presence (and Hughes was pleased enough), but I do feel he needs a better and more potent partner alongside him than Vassell - and this maybe an area Hughes is still (undoubtedly along with the midfield) looking at.

The return leg in two weeks will be a formality, certainly so given the extra fitness levels we will have by then and I would expect a far higher winning margin over at Oakwell.

Reports

Mark Hughes got his Manchester City reign off to a winning start last night in the unlikely surroundings of the Faroe Islands. First-half goals from Martin Petrov and Dietmar Hamann gave City a comfortable victory in this Uefa Cup first qualifying round first-leg tie, seemingly making the return on July 31 at Oakwell a formality. >>the guardian

At about the same time as Ronaldinho, Manchester City's former transfer target, was being presented by AC Milan at the salubrious San Siro, City celebrated the first match of Mark Hughes's reign last night with a workmanlike victory over amateur opposition in front of 5,400 fans in this Uefa Cup first qualifying round, first leg. >>times online

HE may have delivered a victory with plenty to spare, but there was little gloss to Mark Hughes' first game in charge as Manchester City overcame EB Streymur in the Faroe Islands last night. >>the telegraph