Champions League Group A wrap: Bayern hold off Napoli, City cruise

A double from Yaya Toure edged Manchester City closer to the Champions League knock-out stages, while Bayern Munich also won in Group A

City coasted by under-siege Villarreal 3-0 in Spain, while Bundesliga leaders Bayern held on for a 3-2 over Napoli in Munich to all-but assure their own progression.

Visitors City proved superior throughout the game at El Madrigal, as Mario Balotelli scored on his return to European action following his three-match ban for his Europa League dismissal against Dynamo Kiev last season.

Roberto Mancini rested in-form duo Micah Richards and Sergio Aguero, while Stefan Savic, Samir Nasri and Balotelli all started.

Villarreal boss Juan Garrido – hit by injuries to Marcos Senna, Cani and Christian Zapata, as well as long-term knee victim Guiseppe Rossi – brought Mateo Musacchio, Hernan Perez and Joselu into the team.

The La Liga side began the game by defending deep, as if to make a statement that a draw would suffice.

City’s Spaniard David Silva looked lively early on, linking up well with Balotelli and Yaya Toure and using his quick feet to cause the home team problems.

Villarreal’s best opportunity of the half came when Jonathan De Guzman delivered a perfect long-range ball to Joselu, but the striker’s poor touch saw him lose the ball and City goalkeeper Hart collected.

Just before the 30-minute mark, Toure put Mancini’s men 1-0 up.

Silva intercepted a pass by Rodriguez and the Spaniard charged forward to create an opportunity for Toure, who finished calmly to the left of Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

The goal changed the dynamics of the game, and City began to dictate the play while the home fans at El Madrigal became quiet.

Moments before the end of the first half, Silva was involved in City’s second goal.

The Spain international spotted Balotelli just outside the box, and the striker was fouled by Musacchio and a penalty was awarded.

There was only one man who was going to take the penalty, and Balotelli stepped up and coolly dispatched the ball into the bottom corner.

Silva was replaced by Adam Johnson on the 65th minute, but Villarreal looked a demoralised team and their problems were further exacerbated as City grabbed their third goal of the game.

On the break, Balotelli threaded a square pass to Toure and the Ivorian, with great composure, passed the last defender and slotted the ball past the keeper.

In Munich, Bayern appeared to be coasting to victory against Serie A club Napoli when Mario Gomez’s superb hat-trick put them 3-0 up shortly before half-time.

But Federico Fernandez headed Ezequiel Lavezzi’s free-kick home just before the break to offer Napoli a lifeline, and the sending off of right-back Juan Camilo Zuniga for a second bookable offence failed to stop them clawing another back through Fernandez on 79 minutes.

Holger Badstuber also saw red for Bayern, but Jupp Heynckes’s men held on to ensure they are odds-on to qualify for the knock-out stages.

They lead Group A on 10 points, with City second on seven and Napoli third on five.