The good news for Manchester City supporters is that Jô scored his first two goals for the club last night; the bad news is the Brazil forward could turn out to be the new Andrew Cole.

Jô moved to City from CSKA Moscow for £19 million in July and City fans must have been wondering if they could ask for a refund after he missed the kind of chances that even Cole, the much-maligned former England striker, would have buried.

City should have been at least three goals ahead at half-time, but Jô was having one of those nights. His most glaring error was a simple finish into an empty net from four yards that he contrived to miss. Phrases such as “what a waste of money” and “d’oh Jô” were being bandied about after he then hit a post and the crossbar when it would have been easier to score.

The Brazilian kept plugging away and gained his reward after Omonia Nicosia took the lead against the run of play in the 48th minute, thanks to a free kick from the edge of the penalty area taken by Klodian Duro, the Albania midfield player.

Jô’s first goal, tapped in after Shaun Wright-Phillips had dispossessed Elias Charalambous and rolled in a perfect cross in the 59th minute, drew City level and his second, smart control on his left thigh and a left-foot finish, made them overwhelming favourites to progress into the group stage.

“Jô worked really hard for the team and I’m delighted that he got his reward in the end with two good finishes,” Mark Hughes, the City manager, said.

English clubs have been accused of devaluing the Uefa Cup by resting key players in recent seasons, but Hughes is not taking the competition lightly. He picked a full-strength team and for the first time, his three boys from Brazil — Robinho, Jô and Elano — started a game together. “Robinho has fantastic ability but it wasn’t a case of doing things for effect,” Hughes said.

“He was effective in what he did. He was able to control the ball and create opportunities and so was Shaun Wright-Phillips. He keeps working extremely hard for his team-mates.”

Robinho was the centre of attention — Hamad Ndikumana, the Omonia right back, does not get to mark one of the best players in the world often — but City’s Brazilian magic was backed up by eye-catching displays from Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland.

For the record, Andy Cole scored 187 Premier League goals for clubs such as Newcastle United, Manchester United and City. He also won every honour including five league titles and the Champions League. Over to you, Jô.

Omonia Nicosia (4-2-3-1): A Georgallides — H Ndikumana, M Pletsch, T Wenzel, E Charalambous — N Kaseke, K Duro — D Christofi, I Okkas (sub: Clayton, 80min), E Aloneftis (sub: C Niculescu, 74) — F Aguirre (sub: M Bangura, 46). Substitutes not used: N Asprogenis, R Alabi, D Maris, Cafú. Booked: Kaseke, Duro.

Manchester City (4-1-4-1): J Hart — P Zabaleta, M Richards, R Dunne, J Garrido — V Kompany (sub: G Fernandes, 84) — S Wright-Phillips, S Ireland, Elano (sub: D Hamann, 84), Robinho — Jô (sub: D Sturridge, 76). Substitutes not used: K Schmeichel, M Ball, T Ben-Haim, C Evans. Booked: Garrido, Robinho.

Referee: P Dondarini (Italy).