Wright-Phillips (centre) is congratulated by Jo (left) and Silva

By Saj Chowdhury

Manchester City eased into the group stages of the Europa League with a comfortable win against FC Timisoara.

Shaun Wright-Phillips doubled the first-leg advantage with a low finish from eight yards after he was put through by Patrick Vieira.

Defender Dedryck Boyata made it 2-0 on the night with a close-range header from David Silva's corner.

In a match dominated by the English side, Silva, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jo also came close to scoring.

Romanian side Timisoara barely troubled City keeper Joe Hart. A first-half effort from Mircea Axente which hit the side-netting was the only cause of concern for Roberto Mancini's side.

Despite their dominance, City's first effort on target did not materialise until seven minutes before half-time.

It was Brazilian striker Jo who was the first to test the keeper.

The tall forward, making his first start in 19 months, had spent much of his time out on the left but came inside to force 6ft 8in Costel Pantilimon to tip over his header from Silva's cross.

From the resulting corner, Micah Richards' header was cleared off the line.

Adebayor, who worked hard during his shift, was also unlucky not to score moments later when his low angled shot went two yards wide of the Timisoara right-hand upright.

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That spell of pressure was rewarded just before the half-time whistle when Vincent Kompany found Vieira 20 yards from goal. The former France international threaded his pass into the box for Wright-Phillips, who slid his shot past the long reach of Pantilimon.

City's leisurely stroll in the first half was transformed into an explosive attacking performance in the second.

They doubled their advantage when young Belgian defender Boyata, who Mancini has high hopes for, leapt highest at the far post to head in Silva's delivery.

City should have made the scoreline more convincing but could not their dominance into goals.

Adebayor flicked his effort narrowly wide when defender Ovidiu Burca under-hit his backpass. Spritely Silva's attempted dink was then snuffed out by Pantilimon before Jo was off target with a free header.

However, two goals proved enough for a City team who will be one of the favourites to win this competition.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini:
"It is an important trophy. I think the Europa League is difficult because you play more games. But if we can change some players every game, I think we can arrive at the end and play in the final.

"It is not like the Champions League, sure, but it is important.

"We started the game very well, had a good focus. It was difficult because they had 10 players behind the ball and sometimes we couldn't find any space. But I think it was a good game."

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