Manchester City are in command at the midway point of Europa League Group A, thanks to a hat-trick from Togolese striker Emanuel Adebayor, his first goals of the season.

But they were thankful for the Polish champions’ profligacy during a third quarter during which Lech Poznan threatened an unlikely comeback after being 2-0 down at the break.

City dominated the opening 45 minutes at a canter, although Lech’s Slawomir Peszko fired a decent chance wide in the third minute after dispossessing Nigel de Jong.

Adebayor opened the scoring on 13 minutes with a smooth turn and right-foot shot after Patrick Viera’s pass found him on the edge of the box.

Neat interplay down the left between impressive duo Adam Johnson and David Silva led to Adebayor’s and City’s second in the 25^th minute, the unmarked striker heading home Silva’s left-foot cross.

Five minutes after half-time, Lech’s Congolese frontman Joel Tshibamba fired home right-footed from eight yards after a goalmouth mini-scramble.

But Tshibamba blazed over from close range on 70 minutes with only City keeper Joe Hart to beat.

And within three minutes, Adebayor side-footed home Silva’s inch-perfect cross from the left to complete his hat-trick and the scoring on the night.