Both were fine finishes after nine and 28 minutes respectively, and the Blues will be confident of progressing against Faroe Islands side EB Streymur in the return leg at Oakwell on July 31.
In truth, City were rarely troubled by the part-timers, despite a commendable effort from the Faroe league leaders.
City had the quality in Petrov and the organisation of Richard Dunne, Micah Richards and Michael Johnson, but should have scored a few more goals and claimed the resounding victory many felt was on the cards.
Hughes showed his intentions by picking a strong side - giving a debut to £19million record signing Jo.
Richards, who has not played since February with a knee injury, made his comeback along with Nedum Onuoha - out with shoulder trouble since April’s home defeat by Chelsea.
Streymur fielded just two full-timers - recent Danish signings Anders Jacobsen and Peter Foldgast - in a game refereed by Swiss woman Nicole Petignat.
The national stadium was almost full, with the crowd of 5,700 including 250 hardy souls from Manchester, including 12 who arrived via ferry - but only as far as the Shetlands.
The final leg should have been by hired trawler, but rough weather scuppered that plan and the Faroes airline, Atlantic, stepped in with free flights to the match.
An impressed Hughes made a point of welcoming them to the Torsvollur stadium beforehand.
When the action started Darius Vassell saw a close-range header saved at the foot of a post by Rene Torgard after just three minutes - and six minutes later City were ahead.
Stephen Ireland’s ball sent Vassell away down the right channel and when his cross was dummied by Johnson, Petrov slammed the ball into the far top corner.
Curling
Torgard blocked another Vassell close-range effort and Jo created space for a curling left-footed effort which went over the bar.
After 28 minutes it was 2-0, with Petrov again involved.
The Bulgarian’s corner was only half-cleared to the edge of the box, where Hamann volleyed it firmly past Torgard with the outside of his left foot.
The elusive Petrov gave Barour Olsen a torrid time down the left, Jo showed strength and a clever touch up front with City in full command.
It could have been more before the break, when Petrov’s cross after 33 minutes presented Jo with a diving header which flashed just wide.
Streymur started the second half with a flurry of defiance. Johnson was booked for a foul on Arnbjorn Hansen and from the free-kick from Barour Olsen - some 30 yards out - Hart managed to fumble the effort past a post.
Hart had to rush to the edge of his box to punch away a cross from Hans Pauli Samuelsen as the hosts could see the chance to punish City for a growing complacency.
After a first period of confidence and dominance, City eased up - even against part-timers a dangerous move while facing match-sharp players midway through their season.
City needed a third goal, and it almost came after 56 minutes when Jo nodded down for Vassell to see a shot deflected wide. Then Petrov sent a dipping drive just over.
City replaced Jo with young Wales international Ched Evans - now with a new three-year contract - after 74 minutes, with Gelson Fernandes coming on for Hamann at the same time.
Streymur responded with Brian Olsen and Hanus Eliasen taking over from Anders Jacobsen and Samuelsen two minutes later.
For all their commendable effort, Streymur had not really troubled Hart, and his first serious shot to save came from a drive from Hansen, who had got away from Dunne.
Evans almost scored with a shot on the turn that flashed wide - but there was no further scoring and City are overwhelming favourites to finish the job at Oakwell on July 31.
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Good first 20 mins. Like watching paint dry after that.
positives - Ireland,Petrov, Johnson, Dunne and Richards
Negatives - Hart (What was he doing?) and the distribution from both Nedum and Ball.
Still a win is a win!
JOE HART LOOKED MORE LIKE MARGARET RUTHERFORD. LOT OF WORK TO DO FOR THE CITY GOALKEEPING COACH.
A stroll really and pretty much what was to be expected from a game of this sort at this stage of the season; although I'm sure Edski will be on to slag off Vass as I type.
A few sloppy moments but EBS were never a real threat.
Wouldn't read too much into the performances but Jo looked to have a good first touch and will hopefully use his big frame to hold off Premier League defenders and bring people into play.
With two more weeks training under their belts, City should be able to give EBS a harder time at Oakwell.
Did not view the game, but pleased that football has begin again. Content with the 2-0 victory.
a convincing enough win,they could have racked up a cricket score, but for the first game of the season they showed glimpses of passing and movement, Ched Evans made a promising cameo and all in all it was almost a training match. they have avoided a potential banana skin and the "typical city" tag. feels like the season is just round the corner now.
Not overly impressed with this showing against a team of part timers. Again we have no creativity up front and no quick inter passing to open a defence up, everything through Petrov down the left. We will have to vastly improve before the start of the prem season.
Hart looked shaky at times, what was going on with Irelands barnet?? and Vassel still on his one shot out of fifty on target trail yet again.
However, the positives are - Ched Evans looked good when he came on, Jo seemed to have promise and I would definitely have given the ref one! (not often you can say that!) CTID
OB1 - Just in case Edski's on holiday, allow me to oblige. He was pants, constantly offside, never took anyone on (as usual) and bottled his one on one. That said it was a stroll as you say. The usual suspects showed promise, Petrov lively, Johnson full of running, Ireland inventive and Evans focussed, and the usual suspects weren't up to much, Ball woeful, Onuoha touch of a horse, Vassell I despair! Dunne's distribution was pretty poor too, and we barely tested the keeper of a glorified pub team. Jo was OK, but 19m? Looks a hefty price tag, but he's only just returned to training, whereas the others had a couple of weeks under their belts. Early days, but if I was Hughes, I'd be in the market for a more athletic version of Hamann (Alonso?), a quality left back (Shorey?) and a right sided midfielder (Schweinsteiger would be marvellous) to take the pressure to perform off Petrov, who was our only real source of creativity. Good to get off to a winning start, but all in all it was pretty limited fare. Liked the look of Evans the most.
Cant help feeling a bit sorry for the fans who traveled all the way to the Faroe Islands to see a City side who didnt rate this match at all. As a Dane I know how poor our Faroe "brothers" are when it comes to football, so their fans will be miffed at this result. Im a bit disappointed that a player like Jo didnt use this game to get of the mark, knowing the standard of football in the Faroes, he should have been able to do that easily. But we won and thats job done, I guess.
Well done city ,kit looks great we look the part
Not Hart's best performance by a long way but just like to say "well done" to all the City fans that made the effort to travel all the way to the Faroes, a great effort by you all.
Decent enough performance for pre season. well played EB streymur
good win conferdible fist 2nd half bit dogy could of been more got the away goals jo looked alright had a few chances evens looked good when he came on Joe Hart looked dogy in goal
where the negative posts on ireland cum on show ya selves
i can see a massive season from this guy is stocks going to balloon youg hungry and technically brilliant hughs is the guy to show him the way avit
Were gona win the league, were gona win the league,
the referees a woman, the referees a woman. How much did Jo cost? Sparky there is a hell of a lot to be done to match last season’s league position. Hopefully you will be bringing in the players that we are desperate for. I certainly hope so.
CTID and beyond
"Eriksson lookalike fools Mexico"
This headline came from the BBC's website. Maybe the same 'comedian' swapped pleces with Sven in January - could explain a lot.
Why did Bianchi not play?
ob1 i hope so you have to remember the oposition were the same class as droylsden!
1 shot on target in the second half!!1
It was a typical pre-season game. Second half was a bit poor. Johnson looked good and Petrov but we rely too much on him. We need a decent pacy right sided midfielder.
2 really good strikes for the goals but the rest was like a training run out. Put into context this was only their 2nd game, and against a team half way through their season. With games under their belt I fully expect to see a fired up City in the season opener against Villa.
This was a banana skin succesfully side-stepped. Professional performance, well done City and well done the City fans who made the trip, I watched the game in the comfort of my own home! CTID
Not seen the game but from what I hear Hamann scored a screamer. Good scoreline to build on at Oakwell when are players will be a tad fitter.
Can anyone who watched the game tell me have Jo peformed please? exited to see what this lad has to offer.
CTID
Anyone agree that Stewart Robson on Setanta made some very arrogant comments about City players?
The one about Vassell losing it since he joined City was an example. Darius`s career was already waning when he was at Villa.
Robson was also deriding Micah Richards.
How is that ex-mediocre players suddenly become expert pundits?
I have never been a fan of Stephen Ireland but thought he had a decent game he definately looks fitter and stronger.
Very professional. Vassell worked his nads off. Fair play.
I thought Jo was class. Anybody else getting on the positive!