Clinical City take control against AaB

Manchester City FC look in good shape to reach the UEFA Cup quarter-finals after first-half goals from Felipe Caicedo and Shaun Wright-Phillips put them in control of their Round of 16 tie against Aalborg BK.

City on top
Fair Play entrants City have already knocked out FC Midtjylland and FC København in this season's competition and two neat finishes ensured a treble against Danish opposition is now a distinct possibility for England's only surviving UEFA Cup contenders. AaB will take hope from their 3-0 home defeat of RC Deportivo La Coruña in the previous round as they attempt to turn the tie next Thursday.

Early goal
City had the better of the early exchanges, with Caicedo going close after combining with Wright-Phillips in the seventh minute. The Ecuadorian striker's disappointment was fleeting, however, and on the very next attack Robinho played a cool pass to him to turn and shoot past Karim Zaza. AaB responded, and Patrick Kristensen went close before Caca made Shay Given save.

Solo effort
At the other end Nedum Onuoha headed Elano Blumer's free-kick just wide. The second City goal arrived when Stephen Ireland sent Wright-Phillips into space just inside the AaB half and the England winger advanced towards the box before unleashing a shot towards the top corner that gave Zaza no chance. With the interval approaching Thomas Augustinussen was not far away from claiming an away goal with an opportunist shot.

Zaza alert
The home side began the second half brightly, and Zaza had to be alert to deny Pablo Zabaleta and Robinho. AaB had little opportunity to reduce the arrears and to make matters worse midfielder Thomas Enevoldsen picked up a booking which leaves him suspended next week. It was all good news for City, who brought on Kelvin Etuhu for his first appearance since an August hamstring injury.