Mancini urges Jo to maintain form

Roberto Mancini has challenged Manchester City striker Jo to keep up the good work following his goalscoring contribution to Thursday night's 2-0 Europa League triumph over Salzburg.

On his first competitive start for City since December 2008, the Brazilian scored for the first time for the club since September that same year to seal a comfortable win for the Blues in their Group A opener.

"To me, my players are the best in the world," said Mancini. "But I know for all strikers it is important to score goals. Jo has scored one important goal for us. Now I hope he continues to play in the same way."

Jo also created City's seventh-minute opener for David Silva, who put a difficult period behind him, stroking the Blues in front expertly from his team-mate's lay-off to cap an eye-catching performance that will silence the criticism that has started to grow around the Spain international.

"David is a fantastic player," proclaimed Mancini.

"But he is in a different situation now playing different football.

"After one month he is ready to go 100% for the team.

"He will also be an important player for the future."

After returning late due to his World Cup commitments and then jetting off to Mexico and Argentina on international duty, it has not been an easy couple of months for the £24million capture from Valencia.

However, he showed glimpses on Thursday night of what a valuable asset he is likely to be this season.