Wednesday 21 January 2015 20:09, UK
Manchester City recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over SV Hamburg in their friendly encounter in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening.
A much-changed City team were rarely troubled by their opponents - who are two points off the bottom of the Bundesliga - in a low-key affair.
City started with Brandon Barker - a graduate from their Development Squad - while Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero were all left out.
Chances were at a premium in the opening half but a flurry of activity just before the break saw Hamburg have an effort disallowed for offside.
Frank Lampard was in the starting XI but came off as a precaution after 20 minutes with a minor hip injury - he was replaced by Aston Villa transfer target Scott Sinclair but appeared to be moving freely enough as he left the pitch. It was later confirmed that he had sustained an injury in the warm-up.
Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping any injury to the midfielder is not too serious as he is already without Yaya Toure - who is at the Africa Cup of Nations - and Samir Nasri, who is out for three weeks with a calf strain.
George Evans was the architect of the first City goal, the England U19 international picking out the run of Stevan Jovetic, who was able to control before providing the finish (51).
Thierry Ambrose was stretchered off after landing awkwardly in the box while Aguero was introduced for the final half hour as both managers made liberal use of their substitutes' bench.
Edin Dzeko added the second goal 10 minutes from the final whistle, the Bosnian striker being supplied by James Milner cross before firing low past Jaroslav Drobny in the Hamburg goal.
