Manchester City came from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Omonia Nicosia in their Uefa Cup opener.
Brazilian's brace sees Blues come from behind
Manchester City came from behind to secure a 2-1 win over Omonia Nicosia in their Uefa Cup opener.
Omonia had gone in front through Klodian Duro, but a brace from Jo ensured City will take a crucial lead into the second leg of the first round contest.
City were left cursing their luck during a lively first half as they created the best of the openings.
Brazilian striker Jo somehow failed to connect with a Stephen Ireland cross midway through the half, while he later struck the post with a low drive.
Ireland was then denied by the woodwork himself as he failed to squeeze the ball home from the tightest of angles.
The goals did arrive after the break, but it was the hosts who struck first just four minutes in when Duro powered a free-kick into the top corner.
Having endured a frustrating first half, Jo then made amends 10 minutes later when he bundled home a Shaun Wright-Phillips cross
On 72 minutes the South American forward then completed the scoring when he fired a neat left-foot effort into the bottom corner.
Duro crashed a long-range effort off the bar as Omonia looked for a reply, but none was forthcoming.
Pressure
Mark Hughes was looking for his side to get a quick foothold in the tie after they struggled to beat the Danes of FC Midtjylland in the last round.
City almost made the breakthrough in the second minute when Robinho found space in the penalty area.
The £32.5million buy from Real Madrid rattled in a shot that goalkeeper Antonis Giorgallides did well to parry to safety.
City kept up the pressure and Ireland saw his effort go over the crossbar after Robinho and Pablo Zabaleta had linked up.
Omonia were again forced on the back foot in the 15th minute and Wright-Phillips' shot from the edge of the area was turned around the post by the goalkeeper.
City squandered a glorious chance of taking the lead in the 27th minute when Ireland squared the ball across the face of the area and into the path of Jo.
However, with the goal gaping, the Brazilian appeared to take his eye off the ball and he sliced his effort wide.
Elano then skipped forward in the 39th minute only for Hamad Ndikumana to block his effort.
A minute later Jo came within inches of giving City the lead when his shot beat the goalkeeper but came back off the post.
Stunned
It was Ireland's turn to curse his luck in the 43rd minute after being set up by Jo, his effort also coming back off the woodwork.
But City were stunned in the 49th minute when Omonia opened the scoring.
Albania midfielder Duro sent the home fans into a frenzy with a stunning free-kick from 18 yards that whistled past Joe Hart.
City roared back, but Jo was again wasteful in the 55th minute after a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, his shot coming back off the crossbar.
City drew level four minutes later after cutting the Omonia defence apart with a swift counter-attack.
Wright-Phillips raced to the byline and released Jo, who made no mistake with his first goal for the club following his £19million move from CSKA Moscow.
That stunned the crowd and it was no more than City deserved given the amount of possession they had enjoyed with no reward.
City then went ahead in the 72nd minute thanks to Jo's second goal to put them firmly in the driving seat.
The big striker made no mistake from close range after getting on the end of a cross from Zabaleta.
| Omonia Nicosia |
Team Statistics |
Manchester City |
| 1 |
Goals |
2 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
7 |
| 8 |
Shots off Target |
9 |
| 6 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 2 |
Corners |
1 |
| 17 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 5 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 73.5 |
Passing Success |
82.4 |
| 30 |
Tackles |
27 |
| 80 |
Tackles Success |
77.8 |
| 40.1 |
Possession |
59.9 |
| 45.8 |
Territorial Advantage |
54.2 |
|
