Kevin De Bruyne lifts Manchester City's spirits after Euro ban

Manchester City cruised to a 2-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday as Pep Guardiola's side returned to action for first time following club's shock two-year ban from European competitions. Goals from Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne lifted City's spirits as y cemented ir hold on second place in Premier League. Champions League and Europa League suspension for alleged financial fair play regulations drew a furious response over weekend from City supporters who have long believed UEFA hold an nda against ir Abu Dhabi-owned club.

Yet attendance at Etihad Stadium for visit of David Moyes' struggling side was disappointing, with approximately 10,000 empty seats greeting two sets of players before kick-off. That may have been due, in part, to fact fixture was rescheduled from its original date 10 days earlier due to storms. Live TV cover and gridlocked early evening Manchester traffic also did t help supporters arrive in good time for a fixture in which ir team was seeking to close 25-point gap to leaders Liverpool.

It was a curiously subdued atmosphere, refore, rar than expected frenzied demonstration of anti-UEFA rhetoric. re were a couple of home-made banners proclaiming "UEFA Cartel" and "UEFA Mafia", as well as chants of adulation praising City owner Sheikh Mansour and boss Guardiola. re were also taunts to UEFA that "we'll see you in court" and crude songs aimed at governing body. But t until Rodri headed City into a 29th minute lead did City fans become truly animated as ir team maintained ir complete dominance against visitors. It is fair to say, however, that re will be a very different atmosphere when City next play at Etihad in Champions League, with Real Madrid visitors on March 10 in last 16 second leg.

Combative attitude

City's chief executive Ferran Soria was clearly in combative mood when discussing approach to ir latest confrontation with UEFA.

" fans can be sure of two things. first one is that allegations are false," said Soria, who confirmed club will take matter to Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"And second is that we will do everything that can be done to prove so." Guardiola was equally defiant when asked to comment on suspension before kick-off.

" first moment was impact but after a few hours we cant control, we support club 100 percent," he said.

A second-half goal from De Bruyne at least ensured that City returned from winter break, and five days of controversy, with minimum of fuss. However, it promises to be events in European law courts, rar than football pitch, that has greater impact on club over coming months.

Im credits: @ManCity / Twitter