Good evening and welcome to LIVE text commentary of tonight's Europa League action, where Manchester City welcome Red Bull Salzburg to Eastlands in Group A.

Change made - Alan replaces Cziommer.

Cziommer goes down very heavily here. He's lifted away on a stretcher, and there's no messing around - he's coming straight off.

BALOTELLI GOES CLOSE! Sharp City move, storming swiftly from halfway, and Balotelli's cross-come-shot needs someone to tuck the ball away, but nobody's there!

Zabaleta brought down, but while it looks like he might be awarded a free kick for the challenge he handles the ball on the ground and the free kick goes the other way.

Given with a goal kick - not a great one, going not quite as far as halfway.

Jantscher's delivery does not match up to the attention he puts into placing the ball, but it comes back into the box and Hierlander snatches at a half-chance which goes just wide of the post.

Corner for Salzburg - Jantscher lines up with care.

That last move was surely a sign of how easily exposed Salzburg can be - if City can score a second it could be a very uncomfortable half for the visitors.

Wright-Phillips in acres of space on the left hand side - he has almost too long to play a ball to Jo, but by the time he does do so Mendes da Silva is in place to block.

City appeal for a handball as Jantscher blocks on the edge of the area, but the referee isn't interested and Salzburg move into their hosts' half.

The second half begins - and Balotelli is late - he's putting his gloves on on the sidelilnes!

Salzburg sub - Hinteregger is replaced by Svento.

HALF-TIME: City lead, and were much the better side. Jo and Balotelli were both wasteful, but Milner, Wright-Phillips and Vieira all looked sharp enough. City won't feel completely comfortable until they find a second. Will they get one as the snow falls in Manchester? Join us in a few minutes to find out.

Boghossian shouting for a backpass as Lescott cuts out a cross. Given does indeed pick it up, but the referee rules it was not intentionally a pass back to Given - and books Boghossian for his vocal complaint!

MILNER! He's powering down the right, well ahead of the defence - he waits for a pass to present itself, but it doesn't. Opting for a shot, Milner drags it just wide of the far post! Good chance!

Enterprising effort from Balotelli! The through ball was just beyond his control, but he lifts it over the keeper wide to the left of goal. He manages to keep it in, but the move falls away.

Some composed defensive work from Wright-Phillips to win the ball, hold it up, and then play a pass forward to the feet of Jo.

Mendes da Silva tries a rasping shot from the edge of the area but he'll wish he hadn't - it cannons back off the nearest defender and catches him flush in the face. Not something particularly pleasant on a freezing evening.

Good clearance from Lescott as Schiemer tried a cross from the right. City haven't had to do much defending, but they're awake there.

Great ball from Milner to Jo - he holds up the ball before laying off for Zabaleta. It falls for Wright-Phillips to have a shot but the move had fizzled out a bit by the time he had his attempt on goal.

Milner lofts it high to the far post but on this occasion Tremmel is more than a match for the delivery. Salzburg can come forward.