Mario Balotelli scored a brace as Manchester City beat Salzburg 3-0 at Eastlands on Wednesday night to claim a place in the next stage of the Europa League.
And they emphasised their credentials in the process as the double was completed against the Austrian champions in Group A, meaning City qualified for the last 32 in February with a game to spare.
Former Inter Milan striker Balotelli, who arrived in the summer for £24million, scored either side of half-time with Adam Johnson also finding the target.
After the game Patrick Vieira demanded more from Balotelli despite the youngster's double.
Vieira told Five: "He's scored so many goals already, he's a goalscorer but he needs to work harder to help the team. But he is a good finisher."
England winger Johnson added: "I like coming inside on my right foot to try and get shots off, and luckily tonight I got another goal.
"It was tough, in Europe it's slower than the Premier League and that showed tonight, but we got the result we wanted."
The Europa League, or its former incarnation as the UEFA Cup, is one of few trophies in the game Vieira has not won in his illustrious career and he added: "It would be nice if we can go on and do that."
