A winning start is always nice for a new manager and, although Manchester City were only facing EB Streymur yesterday evening, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful for Eastlands season ticket holders after their team won by a convincing 2-0 scoreline. Mark Hughes identified two particular players who stood out against the minnows from the Faroe Islands, and is convinced that his team can be a force to be reckoned with next season.

Sporting Life reports that the Welshman is pleased after his team’s professional performance.

He said of £19million new boy Jo and Petrov: “They have the sort of quality that can really unlock defences.

“We created good chances and I was pleased with Jo’s performance.

“He showed great awareness of players around him, and once he gets to know the players and the way we want to play he will be a big asset to us.

“Petrov was excellent, certainly in the first half. The opposition found it difficult to cope with the quality he has.

“He put a lot of dangerous crosses into the box and with luck we could have converted more.

“But overall his performance was excellent, he got us off on the right foot with that opening goal and pushed us towards a good performance all round.

“We hope he will be providing a lot of goals this season.”

Ah yes, Martin Petrov, a great fantasy football pick for the numerous assists he provides from the left flank. It will also be encouraging for City fans to see Jo already adapt to his new team-mates, thus underlining that the club really didn’t need another Brazilian on the books who had the potential to upset the applecart.