Europa League: Man City 3 SV Salzburg 0

Manchester City secured their passage into the Europa League knockout stage with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Austrian side FC Salzburg.

After three blanks in their last three home games, the City fans – who braved the snow and freezing temperatures at Eastlands on Wednesday – were treated to a blizzard of goals.

Italy striker Mario Balotelli was at his sparkling best, scoring either side of half-time before Adam Johnson wrapped up the win with a brilliant solo effort.

The victory, coupled with Juventus’s inability to win at Group A leaders Lech Poznan, means the Blues have qualified with one game still to play.

City, who made eight changes from the side that conceded a late equaliser at Stoke, started with real intent.

Balotelli cut inside and unleashed a 20-yard drive just over the bar, while Joleon Lescott failed to squeeze in a shot from three yards out.

Balotelli then greedily shot straight at Gerhard Tremmel when a square pass to Jo would have meant a certain goal, but the Italian didn’t waste his next chance in the 17th minute when he brilliantly volleyed home Pablo Zabaleta’s cross.

At the other end, Rabiu Afolabi headed well wide on a rare foray into blue territory by the Austrians.

Balotelli thought he should have had a penalty after half an hour when he was clipped by Franz Schiemer as he raced clear, but the referee waved away the appeals.

City were repeatedly getting behind the Salzburg defence – Balotelli scooped the ball over Tremmel but just off target followed by James Milner shooting wide when through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Balotelli was late arriving for the start of the second half but he almost made an immediate impact after good work from Jerome Boateng, but the young striker fired high into the side netting.

He got his second in the 66th minute when Johnson robbed Stefan Hierlander and fed Patrick Vieira, whose scuffed shot found its way to Balotelli for a simple tap-in.

Hierlander tried to make amends with a 20-yard strike that Shay Given stretched to tip wide.

In the 78th minute, City got their third when Johnson brilliantly weaved his way past four defenders before curling a effort past Tremmel.

Substitute Emmanuel Adebayor almost made it four when Shaun Wright-Phillips put him through on goal, but the Togo striker blasted just wide.