Valeri Bojinov continued to impress on his return from a near 12-month lay-off as he netted the only goal against Italian giants AC Milan at Eastlands.

The Bulgarian, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Manchester derby last August, latched onto a Michael Ball throw-in to lash a left-footed shot in off the woodwork.

City's England players were keen to impress with Fabio Capello in attendance and goalkeeper Joe Hart saved well early on from teenage Milan striker Alberto Paloschi.

The Blues had a handball penalty shout turned down after Darius Vassell's cross was charged down and Brazilian playmaker Elano wasted a good chance to score before Bojinov obliged.

The win was a small measure of revenge for Mark Hughes' side, who had lost out to the Rossoneri in the race to sign Brazilian star Ronaldinho earlier in the summer.